Waqar Naseem Wamiq
Finland has a growing fashion industry, a design district, annual fashion festivals and a very cool street style scene.
Knowing all this, it must not come as a surprise, that Finland also has its share of great names that are continuously making their mark in the world of fashionand taking over the fashion scene by storm. Finnish fashion has made its mark globally in recent years and there seems to be no end to new designers. Now it is making its way to Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.
The new generation of innovative designers from Finland has certainly made it in the international fashion world, by landing spots in the best known fashion weeks. One of these Finnish labels is Ivana Helsinki. Ivana Helsinki is the only Nordic fashion label that has been included in the official calendar of both Paris and New York fashion weeks. Also known for shoes, the latest Finnish contribution was made by shoe label FINSK, in collaboration with Iris Van Herpen for her catwalk show during Paris Fashion Week, Spring/Summer ’16.
Fashion is always on the lookout for something new. Finland’s fashion designers are keeping it fresh. They take influence from their Nordic mentality, delivering bold and fascinating designs suitable to all parts of the world. The design definitely has its unique character, but it translates very well to other cultures as well.
Multiple celebrities have been seen sporting various designs already. Stars such as Lady GaGa, Taylor Swift and Kylie Jenner have been seen in Minna Parikka shoes, and actress Eva Mendes went to meet her new in-laws in an Ivana Helsinki dress.
Finnish design is all about every day luxury and quality, combined with amazing artistic value. The Finns may be logical and practical, but that does not mean their designs would be boring. Quite the contrary.
Fashion says a lot about personality. This is what Finnish fashion design also takes into account. Ivana Helsinki combines fashion with art and film.
It speaks to the artistic, charismatic and soulful women of today. The designer herself, Paola Suhonen, describes her work as souvenirs of her soul world and herself as a story teller.
Wearing Ivana Helsinki designs is a way to express oneself and beauty through style. The clothing collection is a contrasting combination of strong and delicate, feminine aesthetics. The styles combine unique aesthetics which make them feel modern year after year.
To learn fashion, one must start early. Fashion for babies and children has grown hugely popular during the past few years and fashion labels, big and small, are producing their respective mini-me- collections for the offspring of the fashion conscious parents. Shoe designer Minna Parikka has made a real contribution to the field of mini-me fashion and the styles are fun, quirky and cute, just like the women’s line. Yet they are designed to ensure the healthy foot development of a child. So while looking sweet when sporting the same look, parents can be sure that their child’s feet are growing in the best possible shoes.
While the saying ‘less is more’ appears true with much of Finnish design, shoes make a great exception to this rule. Finnish shoe designs are bold and amazing. From the modern architectural aesthetics of FINSK to a bunny hidden inside a sneaker, sparkling stars and unicorns of Minna Parikka, and perfectly crafted feathery leather men’s shoes of Aki Choklat, Finnish designer shoes have that certain something.
Creative designs from Finland are not limited to females only. The Finnish shoe designer Aki Choklat is a designer who designs various essentials for the bold and confident men and the men who are not afraid to explore the unconventional. An Aki Choklat design will not be hard to spot even in a crowd, and his new recently launched collection makes no exception to this legacy.
Seriousness should not be the first thought of a fashionista. But nevertheless, shoe design is a serious business. The Finnish shoe designing field is much appreciated for its quality. For example, the FINSK designer Julia Lundsten won the prestigious Manolo Blahnik Award two years running. Her work was described as “exquisite” and “divine” by Mr. Blahnik himself.
And quality does not stop at the quality of the design, but it is actually the base of it all. Finnish designer shoes typically are manufactured to be of exceptionally high quality and durability. Examples of this fine craftsmanship are the hand-painted FINSK shoes and the high-end completely hand-made Aki Choklat Privé-collection.
While fashion is most admired by the designs, it has other objectives too. Sustainability, environmental challenges and rapidly changing demands of the industry and customers are placing designers in a difficult position.
The Finnish fashion industry and designers are focusing a lot on the sustainability aspects of their designs both in the global perspective as well as from the fashion side. The styles are made to remain modern through time. This is due to the high standards expected from the designers.
One of the most prominent designers from Finland is Aki Choklat, who is currently teaching fashion accessory design in the United States. He is also the author of the book “Footwear Design”, which has been described as the first complete guide to the key skills and tips behind the footwear design trade. His designs are based on his own studies on shoe design.
Most Finnish designers have attended prestigious colleges to learn the tips and tricks of the trade. Minna Parikka and Julia Lundsted of FINSK have both attended schools in London, and Paola Suhonen from Ivana Helsinki has studied fashion and film making all over the world. All this amounts to the durable, unique and quality designs from Finland.
Follow the designers on social media:
Minna Parikka Instagram @minnaparikkashoes
FINSK Instagram @finsklondon
Aki Choklat: Instagram @akichoklat
IvanaHelsinki: Follow the Finnish art fashion scene on Instagram @ivanahelsinki
How to get the styles in Saudi Arabia:
Minna Parikka designs are available at Le66 in Nojoud Center, Riyadh and Bella Baby in Le chateau Mall, Jeddah.
Ivana Helsinki is currently available online at ivanahelsinki.com
Aki Choklat is available online at akichoklat.com
FINSK is available in Riyadh, on My Choices Boutique on Musaad Alangari St., Riyadh.
