Global Glare: A View from the FINNISH Line
I am ecstatic to present the first of my Global Glare series! Me and my team of globe-trotting correspondents, loved ones and friends over the seas and beyond will be sharing with you some shopping eye-pops, design tidbits or fashion visuals from all over the world!
This initial entry is a collaboration with dearest friend, Fides Madrid, currently in Finland and fanatic about its capital Helsinki, which is the World Design Capital of 2012.
(Iitala, iconic glass brand from Finland pictured above)
Whenever I think of Finland, I instantly think of my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Leskinen, and the Finnish brand Marimekko. It was primarily a textile and clothing design company and have now translated their work into home accessories including glassware.
I was reminded of Finland and their unique design aesthetic actually during a trip to Bangkok almost a couple years back. It was an exhibit at the Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC) featuring fashion from all over the world…..
And Finland was among the countries displayed there along with the other fashion heavyweights like France, Italy, Germany, Japan, Brazil, USA, China, etc….
You’ll probably recognize this poppy print, “Unikko”, which is one of their most popular designs….
At a pop-up store inside the Stockmann department store along Mannerhiementie Street, the largest dept store in Scandinavia…..
Every summer, it is a tradition for Marimekko to hold an annual fashion show at the Esplanade Park situated at the heart of Helsinki. Last May 25th, Marimekko staged this fashion show with the Finnish National Ballet and its Ballet School as their models….
According to this design and lifestyle brand on having the Finnish Ballet on board, “It was a natural choice because dance plays an important role in the lives of Finns, both as a form of self-expression and a as an essential part of summer festivities.”
Big, BOLD and beautiful prints….
I love their bold usage of mixing prints as well…
Photos courtesy of Marimekko and to view more photos, click here Marimekko & Annual Fashion Show Summer 2012.
View the entire city of Helsinki through the eyes of the Marimekko brand…..
This map is interactive in their website!! Just click on this and search for it… Marimekko Village
This brand is so popular that a Marimekko flagship store has opened in New York City early last year.
They’re so HOT, they even have their own hot-air balloon (pictured here flying over Helsinki)….
Flower Power. No wonder Marimekko’s spring/summer color palettes are always so fresh and vibrant as their summer yields GORGEOUS flowers as seen here during one of Fides’ walks around the captivating streets of Helsinki….
At the second floor of the famous Finnish souvenir store, Kankurin Tupa (a 3- level souvenir store also on the Esplanade) is an area dedicated to Muumi, Finland’s most famous comic strip and story book characters as seen here on display…..
They are actually a family of trolls that seem to resemble hippos…..
Fides was drawn to the green crates that were used as display fixtures and I can see why….
Many, many thanks, Fides, for providing the additional photos and for providing insights to your Helsinki experience!
See you at the Finnish line! 😉
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