Tiia Vanhatapio

This Finnish designer does it all!
She designs
Baby
Women's ready to wear
and Bridal
All
Exceptionally well

I noticed
Helsinki
enjoys
burlesque
entertainment

This definitely influences Tiia in her collections
Especially since
Dita Von Teese
is a frequent customer



Tiia posing with an
effortless
stylish
poise



I LOVE this sleeping mask




Three first pictures
ready to wear

Last picture
baby

Helsinki 13 Aug 2008

Outfit of the day




Found the
Design district
found two great shops

Visited the
Textile/History Museum

Inspiration Finds




sneaky street picture

Helsinki Aug 12 2008

Took a ferry to
Suomenlinna

I found a
Toy museum
customs museum
Submarine


Met Minna Parikka

Outfit of the day

Inspiration collected during the day





I decided this berry souvenir necklace
made of paper
is inspired by this bush:



Quick street look
(THE GIRL IN THE MIDDLE)
black top and pants
crop hair
interesting olive green glasses
matching green earrings
pink faux snake shoes
interesting bag

Helsinki 11 Aug 2008

Visited
The design museum
A vintage doll shop
Ice Bar


Discovered
Carved wood
Fine food
Animals



Outfit of the day

Inspirational Finds

Street find of the day

Minna Parikka

When I first found Minna's work, I almost passed out.
I was updating myself
like usual
scrolling down facehunter
and poof
Minna posing with one of her shell shaped bags (sigh).

I definately had a
"are you kidding me, a two tone shell shaped bag!!?%$#?"
kind of moment
I found her site and couldn't believe
shoes and handbags could be
well made
classy
creative
in our time period.

Once I read more about her in "New Arrivals 12 Finnish Fashion Designers"
it all became clear
she says
her "Inspiration comes from old clothes,
and all the times of the past,
when women were lovely.
All the colors in the photographs,
and the feeling, the feeling of old times"

Genius

various pictures from her website and others



I of course wanted to visit her.
I went to her newly opened shop
and felt a little
embarrassed
and nerdy
I think I unintentionally had
celebrity shock
luckily she recognized me
and said hello

I nerdily asked if I could take pictures of
her store
and herself

we chatted about
herself
Helsinki
the shoes I chose



The whole time we talked
I observed
her adorable hair
perfect dress
perfect jewelry

She explained that she and her family
completely renovated
her little boutique filled with
pink
stripes
keyholes
That made me love her more.

Me + Minna




Store front Inside Key hole mirror Key hole again Minna

Buy her shoes and bags!!!
http://www.minnaparikka.com/

I know Ill adopt this pair next