SAARA LEPOKORPI

Perfection is the word how I would describe the design of Saara Lepokorpi. It includes the vision, the right cuts, beautiful colours and high quality. Beside this, it's very variety: silk dresses, knits, leather coats...ah!

 3 FACTS:

• Saara Lepokorpi has graduated from the School of Arts in 2009 and after it she has been very productive, active and succesful: she won the Copenhagen Fashion Summit in 2009.
• Before she had even graduated, she was chosen the Young designer of the Year in 2007.
• You tell me something more?

pics:  Liisa Valonen / blog - youfeelinit

I KNOW WHY NO

 

I know why no is all about gorgeous knitwear. The designer behind this brand is Aino Vainio, who has graduated from Aalto university in 2007. I know why no serves you innovative knitted dresses, blouses, scarfs, even trousers. Design is mostly for women, but also uni-sex.

 3 FACTS:

• Most of these cloths are hand-colored and unique. Materials are f.ex. bambu, cotton and wool.
• "The most inspirative is to be unsuccesful - even though the result isn't what I first thought, it can be even better or inspire me to something else", says Vainio.
• Have you wondered where did Jenni Vartiainen get her amazing cloth to the cover of "Seili"? Yes, it is I know why no.

pics: iknowwhyno.com

TONFISK DESIGN

Tony Alfström [Finland] and Brian Keaney [Ireland] were bored of seeing the same all the time. They founded their own company in 1999 and wanted to show something new. Tonfisk's products are simply, aesthetic and functional - that's not a new thing for scandinavian design you might think. What makes Tonfisk unique, is that design is also futuristic, inestimable and clever. Just an example: milk and sugar in one packet.

3 FACTS:

• The company started with a name Lemuntie (Stinky road) in Helsinki, but in 2007 moved to Turku and chanced the name to Tonfisk design.
• Today there are 16 different kind of product groups from flower garden to espresso cups.
• Tonfisk's ceramics are handmade in Tonfisk's own factory in Turku.

pics: http://shop.tonfisk-design.fi

NO PHILOSOPHY

It all happened like by an accident. It was spring 2009 and Emilia Tapprest was doing her master's thesis for Helsinki school of visual art. Her thema was graphic design and this is where the story of No Philosophy starts. First she designed her own t-shirt collection, nowadays there's a growing groub desinging t-shirts and tanktops. Anyone intrested can join!

3 FACTS:

• "Instead of insignificant philosophy, we consentrate on the most important, which is always the most difficult thing", said Tapprest.
• In spite of the young age, 16-year-old Tapprest has reached to design websites, posters, album covers and videos.
• There's a band in Teheran who is wearing No Philophy - t-shirts on the gigs.

pics: nophilosophy.com

KATRI/N

Now that the Finnish Project Runway (aka. Muodin huipulle) second season has started it is the final time to introduce you  the winner of the season one: Katri Niskanen. After Niskanen won the competition in December 2009 she started her own business by name KATRI/N. Her design is all about gorgeous fabrics, layers and harmonic colours. B-e-a-t-i-f-u-l.

 3 FACTS:

• Before winning the competition, Katri Niskanen has graduated from Lahti Institute of Design.
• S/S 11 is the 3rd collection for KATRI/N. Beside this, Niskanen has done unique pieces for Finnish celebrities like Maria Veitola and Jenni Vartiainen.
• KATRI/N has it's own boutique in Punavuori (Helsinki) and these pieces of art are also available at Stockmann (Helsinki).

pics: katriniskanen.com

VILLA NAH

Villa Nah plays electro music with a good taste. It makes you dance. It makes you feel good. Behind this music is two men, Juho Paalosmaa and Tomi Hyyppä + the producer is Jori Hulkkonen. One year ago this band didn't have even their first album, today they are conquerning the world.

3 FACTS:

• Villa Nah played its' first gig in The Night of Arts in Helsinki 2008.
• Chanel S/S 11 -models were walking in the rhythm of Villa Nah. The same music is also played in Chanel's stores and website.
• 12/03/11 Villa Nah is warming up the audience for Cut/Copy at Kulttuuritalo, Helsinki.

ANNIKA HEIKINHEIMO

Colour and fur. That is what Annika Heikinheimo wanted to combine and create. She said: "Colours and entertainment inspire me. Summer, colours and girlishness came to my mind." Who wouldn't like to think those things?

3 FACTS:

• This dress called 'Saga' won the Fur Finland tournament of young designers in 2010.
• The same dress will be representing Finland in the international Remix competition in Milan on 3/2011.
• Heikinheimo is studying her 4th year in Aalto university. Keep this name on mind.