Design Finland

Ivana Helsinki and Paola Suhonen

Ivana Helsinki is a very interesting example of the new contemporary Finnish design.

Ivana Helsinki has very special collection of camping-style clothing and prints. The designer behind Ivana Helsinki is Paola Suhonen, a new talent who has also brought her own style in the products of Marimekko and Nanso (Lempi-vaate).

There is also a strong ideology in their manufacturing. Ethical, functional, girlish, camping, art modern, made in Finland. That's what Ivana Helsinki is all about.

Some of the most popular products are available in many stores in Helsinki and other Finnish cities, but the best collection can be found at their own Ivana Helsinki store.

If you are too busy to visit Helsinki, they also have a list of their retailers around the world on their website.

Ivana Helsinki, Uudenmaankatu 5, Helsinki

www.ivanahelsinki.com

Beoynd the Valley

Beyond the Valley is a non-profit designer community in London. They exhibit and sell the works from the new designers.

Now they have established their Helsinki Exchange in Helsinki for two months. Their tiny shops sells products from the UK designers of the community as well as from the selected new Finnish designers.

The Helsinki Exchange has a small, but very interesting selection of clothing and clever household items. I took my friend from Monaco to visit them and we immediately found something to buy. A specialty is that they don't serve the customers in Finnish - all the personnel are from the UK.

Beyond the Valley Helsinki Exchange, Bulevardi 1, Helsinki.

http://www.beyondthevalley.com

Open in May - June 2005

Import Export & Global Local Helsinki

I was today in the opening party of two new exhibitions at Design Forum Finland.

Import Export is a touring exhibition presenting the works of international designers working in the UK. The exhibition introduces number of very different designers and their works.

I must say that this is part of the exhibition did not open to me with the first glimpse. But after taking the second round, looking closer, there are some very nice designs - some that I would like to have for myself.

Global Local Helsinki presents 17 Finnish designers with international background and their works. Especially I liked the works of Inna Pärnänen, Pentagon Design and Syrup Helsinki.

Some of the works from Global Local Helsinki will be presented in London at the Victoria & Albert Museum from September to December 2005.

This is an exhibition worth visiting.

Import Export & Global Local Helsinki 20.5. - 12.6. 2005 in Design Forum Finland, Erottajankatu 7, Helsinki

Design Forum Finland

Design Forum Shop in downtown Helsinki is for sure a place to visit. Their shop gives a quick overview of Finnish design products. Products from the top dogs such as Harri Koskinen, Woodnotes and Marimekko as well as from the younger successfull designer brands such as Iivana Helsinki, ChoCho and Doctor Design.

In the same premises, there is a changing exhibition that can be visited for free. Their cafe is worth stopping by for it's good coffee but also for the quick peak to the local design publications.

If you have only time for one visit in Helsinki, this is the safest bet.

Design Forum Finland, Erottajankatu 7, 00130 Helsinki, Tel. +358 (0)9 6220 8130

www.designforum.fi

Open 10AM - 7PM on weekdays and 12AM to 6PM on weekends.

From Scandinavian Design to Finnish Design

For decades there has been numerous world-class designers with their origins in Finland. Such names as Alvar Aalto, Eero Aarnio and Yrjö Kukkapuro are well known around the world and have their works in museums, design publications and homes of the enthusiasts.

Finnish design brands are also sold all over the world. You may recognize names like Marimekko, Iittala, Aarikka, Kalevala Koru and many others.

Traditionally, Finnish design has been linked closely with Scandinavian Design. During the last few years, a new generation of young designers has created a boom in Finnish design.

Today, Finnish design is a large industry and Helsinki is the capital of it all.

Helsinki is filled with design shops, galleries and designers.

While exploring the world of Finnish design, I intent to share my experiences with you.

Please visit me often for the latest in Finnish Design.

Best regards,

Janne Saarikko