Going to Great Lengths

The long hemlines are here. With a bang. They have actually been around for a while, but thanks to Spring 2011 collections, now they are just everywhere.

Obviously, it was rather predictable, taking into consideration the hemline index: a theory that suggests that skirt lengths and the economy coincide. The mini skirts are in vogue in good times. Just think of the 60s, 80s and more recently the early 2000s. The hemlines hit the floor in the 70s with the oil crisis, in the 90s with the global economic recession and, well now.

I rather like the 70s fashion and the hippie look but for me the long skirts really represent the early 90s. The awkward times of my early teens, discovering fashion, but not yet having a real style of my own. Luckily there have been some gems in the catwalks to reassure me that the new length may go a long way. Also, as we know, the best things to pair a long skirt with are flats, sandals and trainers. Hurrah for being able to walk again!  

Marc Jacobs Spring 2011

Jil Sander Spring 2011

Michael Kors 2011

I want my Lanvin!

H&M is treating us with another one of their designer collaborations. With an impressive history of guest designers such as Matthew Williamson, Jimmy Choo and Sonia Rykiel, the Swedish fashion giant really knows how it’s done. And is there anything better to bring us just before the Christmas party (and present!) season than Lanvin dresses, tees, accessories and even some men’s wear?  

Designed by Lanvin's artistic director Alber Elbaz, and menswear designer Lucas Ossendrijver the line is called Lanvin <3 H&M (that’s Lanvin loves H&M to you non-facebookers). The collection will be released on 23 November, the prices start from less than a tenner (ok, that’s for lipstick, but still) and I looooove it.

Check out the collection on Vogue website, as usual H&M’s own site is a  mess... And below are my favourites. 

The Art of the Shoe

This is why I love London. Something so wonderful but at the same time so very dangerous has appeared on Oxford Street. Selfridges has opened its Shoe Galleries.

Shoe Galleries have been designed by an architect Jamie Fobert and the area is supposedly bigger than Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall. It is the biggest shoe department in the world, stocking 55 000 shoes at any one time and 4000 shoes on display from over 150 brands. It will obviously offer you big brands like Jimmy Choo, Louboutin and Dior but the high street labels like Topshop, All Saints and Office are there too.

You think this is heaven? Imagine the sales. 

For the White Nights of Summer

How beautiful was the Dolce & Gabbana SS 2011 collection at Milan fashion week? Underwear as outerwear has been a trend for a good while but this collection took the concept to a new level. Tonnes of white lace and fabrics that looked like they could have been cut out of grandma's old curtains (in the best possible way) defined the collection  inspired by “sensual kind of elegance and tradition that characterises the typical trousseau of Southern Italy”. And an almost all-white collection is a clear signal of the colour we are going to wear next summer.

Colour By Numbers

There’s a one thing every Finn packs with when moving abroad: a cheese slicer. Because no one does them like  Fiskars do. Sharp and easy on the eye – just right. And because we Finns are so proud of our little things, I have now got three of them, gifts from friends and family. But when there is a Colours range, who cares, keep them coming!

Princess for a Day?

I’ve never understood the traditional wedding dresses (I don’t really get the whole fuss about weddings in general to be honest, but more of that some other time). I’ve never had a dream of being a princess for a day. To dress in white, looking like you just jumped out of a Disney movie and marry your prince. The wedding gowns are useless after your wedding day, they cost a fortune and most of them really look rather dreadful.

A good friend of mine got married this summer so we went wedding dress shopping. Luckily she is my type of girl and even the sight of the Bridal Boutique at Liberty’s gave us both the chills - and not in a good way.  She found a beautiful dress in the end, the wedding was a hoot and they are now living happily ever after. 

Now I think I’ve found my fairytale. The story was told on New York Fashion Week. The Marchesa’s S/S 2011 show was full of most gorgeous, breathtaking and stunning dresses that just knocked me out. I still wouldn’t wear a wedding gown but the princess inside me was born.  

Autumn Coat Picks

Yes, it’s getting chilly out there! If you got totally bored with your winter warmer last year, it’s time to get a new one. Pick one of these trends to be in vogue. 

Camel Coat, the biggest trend of the autumn by Stella McCartney 

Military is back -again, loving Matthew Williamson's Military Wool Coat

Aviator jacket is big this season. Think Top Gun. By Acne. 

Capes are possibly my favourite coat trend EVER. This trench cape is from H&M

Sexy Seventies

I’m loving the Marc Jacob’s S/S2011 collection at New York Fashion Week. I don’t care what anyone says, the 70s style was awesome! I love the floating dresses and massive accessories (although they are terribly difficult to travel with, don’t you think?). The accessories are also the cheapest and quickest way of updating your look. So go on, ebay your hair straighteners, get your hot pants on, and get ready to disco!

Check the collection on the Vogue website: 

http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/show.aspx/catwalk-report/id,9762

Abba was real hot in the 70s

High Street Fashion Evolution

So the news is that the big high street fashion chains are going online. H & M online shop is already open for “VIP shoppers” (meaning anyone who’s subscribing their newsletter) and launches officially on the 16th. The Spanish fashion giant Zara opened its website for shopping on 2 September and Gap launched its UK site in August.

I don’t get it. Sure, I do shop online. You can find awesome bargains from websites like koodos.com or brandalley.com. It is however always a bit irritating. You can never be sure of the size, you have to wait for your orders for days, sometimes for weeks and you obviously can’t try anything on. But you’re willing to go through all this because of the amazing designer bargains you can find (and because you can do it on work time. Oh come on, we’ve all done it!).

But isn’t the whole point of the high street fashion that you can just wonder in the shop and get yourself a new outfit for a price you don’t have to feel guilty about? And you want it instantly. And you surely want to feel the material knowing the quality of the products sometimes?

Speaking of online shopping: I found a really cute Louise Amstrup dress from Koodos (they’ve got 20% off all dresses today) for under hundred quid on lunch. How fabulous is that?!

Vogue's Fashion Night Out gets a touch of Finnish flavour

Just found out today that Sanna Annukka has designed a really cool T shirt and tote for this year’s Fashion Night Out (happening in London on September 8^th). She’s half-Finnish half-English illustrator & print maker and using Finnish folklore as her major influence. Check out more of her awesome prints http://www.sanna-annukka.com