Ivana Helsinki 15 – Coming Home

Ivana Helsinki designs have been one of my sources of inspiration for over a decade now.
Visiting the "15 - Coming Home" exhibition at Designmuseum was an unique opportunity to revisit the previous collections and memories at once.

Each collection has its own, unique story behind it. Many of them are based e.g. on Paola's childhood memories. Not all the stories are only happy, such as the memories behind collections Dead Butterflies (SS 2007) and Fasan (AW 2007-2008), for instance. I love the way how a wide range of different feelings and memories have been turned into visual art and fashion. The touch of Northern melancholy combined with nostalgia delights in every collection.

Photos from the exhibition: Tuomas Peltomaa
Other photos from my archives

The first collection I truly fell in love with was Birds (2002). 

After the years, it still delights and brings memories from early 2000's.

Rouva (AW 2005) 

was and still is a very relevant collection for me:

it was launched during the same autumn when I became Mrs.

 

Starrain (AW 2009-10)

was born when Paola moved to New York and missed Finland.

Love the colors, materials and patterns.

Sailor (SS 2011)

Longing & nostalgia combined.

Velvet Lake (AW 2011-12) 

Just beautiful.

Indian Summer (SS 2012) 

My favorite collection.

Tapiola Kauniainen (AW 2012-13)

was not love at first sight, but nowadays liking the colors and patterns a lot.

Ivana Helsinki 15 – Coming Home exhibition at Design Museum open until April 7th.

Current collections available online, 2nd hand items from previous collections can be found here.

As days go by

Weekender bag from Kirpuntori

These are the days

to live life the fullest,

to remember a tremendous amount of things within a day.

Therefore,

 I am especially inspired today

 by Selfridges' new No Noise campaign.

Shades of neon

90's is perhaps one of the most inspiring decades:
strange enough but well-known enough, still  living and alive in memories.

Gloves: Kierrätyskeskus, scarf: Kirpuntori, hair bows: Kierrätyskeskus.

Friday

It is November,
and for everything there is a season.
I pack the last bits and pieces of summer into boxes and jars.

I am happy because it's Friday.

autumn

Wool, tweed, patterns, black & white with a twist of red, blue and green.

Skirts from Kierrätyskeskus, UFF (Freda 36), Kirpuntori and Hietsu, 0,50-3€

Scarves from Kierrätyskeskus, UFF (Freda 36) and Kirpuntori, 0,50-2€

Shoes from Myyrmäki-halli, 3€ / pair

a special day

Today was my birthday. We ate waffles and celebrated.
I got love letters from my loved ones and a present I've been dreaming about.

small treasures, great pleasures

Cacharel floral/Liberty? pattern shirt - made in Italy - from the recycling center of Lönnrotinkatu (0,50€).
 During the same visit, Lene Sand skirt, Comme des Garcons for H&M wool shirt and two t-shirts found a new home as well. The total cost of all was 2,90 euros.

ecochic

two beautiful pairs of ballerinas from Vääksy and Lönnrötinkatu. (both 2€ / pair)
YSL 100% silk scarf from Hietsu (2€)
Bayswater is 2nd hand as well.

flowerfairy

roses and flowers.
all the dresses i bought from savonlinna recycling center.
a big bag of clothes and stuff costed 3 euros.

i especially love the maxi dresses. the blue one at right has a lovely paisley pattern.