Design Finland

Korjaamo and Summer Feelings

If you happen to be in Töölö, in the vicinity of the Olympic Stadium, and feel like relaxing in "designish" atmosphere, check out Korjaamo culture factory. It is an old building that used to be the tram bodyshop.

Korjaamo has two different galleries with various works of modern art or design and a very nice cafe that serves also as a wine bar and a restaurant for lunch. The former courtyard has been redesigned to work as a free picnic area with built-in "beach" and outside picnic lounge.

The clientele and the whole atmosphere is very design oriented, maybe thanks to the fact that the same building has related business under the same roof.

Currently, they have two exhibitions in the galleries (until early August),  and from June 10th until June 12th a flea market for design items.

There's really nothing much shopping to be done here, but enjoying the great salads and wines out on the terrace, checking out the exhibitions and enjoying to sit there with your alikes...

Korjaamo is located in Töölö, right behind the Helsinki Tram Museum. For more details, please check out

http://www.korjaamo.fi/english/english_text.htm

Kalevala Koru and Moomin Troll

Very interesting news.

Kalevala Koru, a traditional Finnish jewellery manufacturer producing jewellery with themes from the Finnish and Scandinavian history, announced today that they will introduce a new Moomin range of jewellery.

Moomin Troll, Little My, Snufkin and Snork Maiden will each get their own silver necklace.

2005 is the 60th anniversary for Moomin characters originally created by a Finnish writer Tove Jansson. Moomin characters are widely known worldwide.

For those in Helsinki this weekend, the public announcement of the Moomin range takes place in Kalevala Koru shop in the center of Helsinki, at Unioninkatu 25 on Saturday, the 11th of June. You will be able to meet the Moomin characters live at 11AM, noon, 1PM and 2PM.

Johny Blacksticks

There are also more international clothes designers in Finland. Johny Blacksticks is a fairly new, Finnish young fashion brand that originates from the south-western city of Turku.

The designers behind the brand are Toni Tirri, Johannes Ylinen and Remalja Sienknecht.

Their collection consists of youth clothing - mainly jeans and belts etc.

Johny Blacksticks store exists in Turku at Eerikinkatu 9 and now also in Helsinki, at Bulevardi 15.

For more information, check

http://www.johnyblacksticks.com

Tonfisk Design

Tonfisk Design is celebrating it's 5th anniversary. They just had a 5-years party few days ago. Unfortunately I couldn't be there...

Tonfisk Design is a young design brand that has already established themselves in the industry and got some recognition worldwide. They specialize in kitchen- and food-related handmade items.

They originally started with two designers, but now have several already. Tonfisk Design does not have their own store, but their products can be bought in number of places in Helsinki and other larger Finnish cities as well as internationally.

For more information on their products and availability, please check their website at

http://www.tonfisk-design.fi

The keyword for their design style is WHITE.

Highly recommended as a gift of a friend of modern design.

Twin and Three Sisters

Yesterday I was walking in Kallio, the trendiest part of Helsinki. I noticed a small shop with very nice handbags in the window. The shop was closed, so I decided to return back later.

Couple of hours later I walked in the shop - and what did I find? The whole shop was full of bags, purses, pencil bags and many other products under the Twin brand. The idea of Twin is to take 60's and 70's textiles and recycle them into a unique modern designer items. And for some reason the prices are reasonable.

Twin consists of three sisters doing the model design and production themselves. They've been doing this for years, and you can see it in the quality and style of the products.

I talked to one of the sisters and she told me the Kallio shop will be closed soon. What a pity. But they may be opening a webstore later this year.

Twin's Helsinki shop will exist in Pengerkatu 22 until approximately June 13th. After that, Twin products can be found from Cafe Kiasma (Kiasma, MoMA Helsinki) and couple of smaller shops. If you visit Porvoo, see their Porvoo shop in Jokikatu 35, Porvoo.

Definately a place to visit, especially if you're into recycling, bags, individual designer products, reasonable prices or any combination!

Also, check out their website at www.twin-shop.com