Are there stories behind your items?

Yes, for example some of the old tin cans I got from my grandmother, some from the flee market. The Pinocchio dolls are from Italy. I was an au-pair in Northern-Italy and started collecting them. After that our family continued the tradition and we would always buy a new one from every city we visited. Few of them are souvenirs from our relatives.

You are moving to a bigger apartment this year. Are you keeping the same style there as well?

It will be more or less the same style, clean and simple. I might change the feel a bit, using dreamier colors. I’m happy with the interior design of this place, if it wasn’t for a bigger apartment, we wouldn’t be moving at all. 

You may remember Liisa from our “Trick or Treat” Fashion feature.

The effortless and sexy R/H has been a wonderful addition to the Nordic fashion scene since 2011. Two young talents, Hanna Riiheläinen and Emilia Hernesniemi met each other while studying in the the University of Art & Design Helsinki, and together they steer R/H from Helsinki.

The most recognized design in their collection is the Mickey, fun and figure flattering design that makes any woman look good. “Hanna designed the Mickey dress for our first season and it was kind of a bonus dress, a bit sexier than the other styles in the first collection. It is definitely a signature style that we love and have fun playing with in every season,” shares Emilia.

With their biggest fans in Denmark, US, Japan and -naturally- Finland, both designers are especially excited about their upcoming collection. “R/H AW/13 collection is called “Frightening Freedom” and it`s about a human`s right to her or his freedom in every situation. Freedom is about being able to think, create and reach out to your dreams – whether it`s making music, traveling or making babies. R/H implements freedom via a collection rich on structural materials, deep colors, musical elements and new powerful effects. Gold, petrol and black mixed with down to earth surfaces and fresh prints,” says Emilia.

And no need to wait for autumn for something new from R/H, according to Emilia there is a special treat for all music lovers this summer. Emilia reveals, “R/H is doing a collaboration with the Flow music festival 2013. We are insanely excited about it! Flow festival has created a new category in Scandinavian music festivals and we are proud to be on the edge. Flow will get their own Mickey Piano Dress but only as a special edition. Girls, run!”

Oh yes we will!

GIVEAWAY TIME! Mickey tee (value 110 eur). WINNER is MILLE. CONGRATULATIONS! (please send your contact information to: daniela@rawr.fi)

Leave a comment here by 11 May and win yourself a Mikey Tee by R/H. This giveaway is open for worldwide participants. Remember to like our Facebook page and we’ll keep you updated on the future giveaways!

R/H

http://shop.rh-the-label.com

R/H Spring Sumer 2013

Very French Gangsters provides a gorgeous collections glasses for 3-14 year olds, founded by Karoline Bothorel-Bolzinger and Anne Masanet, who calls themselves as “glasses addicts”.

Available in prescription glasses and sunglasses, the hardest part is to decide on the favorite pairs!

Collections

Very Pilote – tough and sleek

Very Boss – intellectual charisma

Very Pan Pan – hipster chic

Very Bombe – all flirts

 http://veryfrenchgangsters.com/

Caroline Bothorel-Bolzinger and Anne Masanet

By YC Felin / Images by Paloni

The founder and CEO of the brand Paloni Minna Särelä became somewhat a Finnish celebrity through her ambitious project of “Paloni in New York City”, taking 37 talented Finnish designers to set up a Paloni pop up shop at the Ivana Helsinki’s concept store in New York. With a degree of Master of Technology in Industrial management, a work background in export and PR management, Minna Särelä has gone a long way in the world of design and fashion.

Paloni started as an idea during a maternity leave when Minna gave birth to her daughter Pinja five years ago. During that time she gathered ideas, inspirations and talked with designers about what she would do with her career. Gradually Paloni took shape into a creative company representing up-and-coming international indie designers. As I ask her what Paloni really is, Minna laughs and replies, “I often joke about the situation myself, whether I’m running a store, a PR agency or a designers management agency.”

As our discussion flows with her business insights seasoned with occasional bursts of laughter, in person Minna is very amiable and displays a can-do attitude. It is easy to imagine young designers turning to her for advice and support for both creative work and business. Minna agrees that many see her as a coach and a promoter. “I also mentor quite many designers who are not part of Paloni. That part of my work has gone a bit out of hand,” reveals Minna with a twinkle in her eye.

Asking her on how to become a Paloni designer, Minna reveals that she doesn’t require a certain level of previous sales or brand value from the products. Paloni is there to help the designers to do both. “I look for uniqueness, a red thread of story line in the work. Lack of courage in design is one of the reasons why I say no. Too often designers’ first sales point is their friends or a garage sale. Having a clientele like that directs the creative thinking in a restricted way,”  Minna remarks. Another unwanted trend is focusing solely on the recycled material among designers. “I often question whether the product would exist without the recycled material. I wouldn’t like to see any recycled retro print purse anymore, we have enough of retro purses,” says Minna and shakes her head.

As we talk about the state of design education in Finland, Minna becomes serious. “Regardless of the industry our education is too product-centered. We focus so much in products and their attributes that we don’t know how to do sales and marketing. When industrial designers and fashion designers graduate from schools they don’t know how to do pricing, don’t know how to contact retailers, don’t know what PR agencies do and how much to pay for their services. According to my experience these skills are not taught in schools,” she says.

I ask her if she could mention an exemplary designer who could succeed internationally in the future. After some contemplation Minna mentions Jussi Salminen and his brand Olav from Paloni. “Jussi is aware that the real potential for his brand and products exists outside Finland. His work is atypical Finnish design; there is no problem with lack of courage in his work. He is aware that his clientele is international and does legwork in marketing, he was also part of our New York project.”

Yes, let’s not forget New York! According to Minna the trip was quite successful. “Now the designers are expecting what is the next big impossible project from me,” laughs Minna, “New York showed the designers and me what could be possible, if you just dare to live up to your dreams.” Designers gained valuable information about their products, for them it was small-scale market research, having their products in the pop up shop for two weeks. “Constructive feedback directly from the customers to the designers themselves – extremely valuable, ” concludes Minna. As I mention Finnish brands like Ivana Helsinki and Minna Parikka who are in the phase of intense internationalization, Minna gives special thanks to the Finnish brands that are the pioneers in new markets. “Being a pioneer is always laborious, expensive and slow. I appreciate those companies and people who have done that work for the Finnish fashion and design industry.”

However the real purpose of New York was not to conquer the world. The real catch was to get recognition from Finnish media and business sector. “It’s maybe lopsided but we had to go all the way to New York so that we could achieve credibility in Finland. You could almost say that there is an attitude problem that creative workers face here, we do not value our talents until they have received recognition abroad.” Designers and Paloni are already reaping the rewards as we speak. “The designers who participated in the project have gained visibility in their local small-town media. For example one designer said that usually the beginning of the year is dead business-wise, but after the trip every week a new retailer would contact the designer with a business proposition”.

Minna is a bit of a workaholic. In addition to working six days a week from Monday to Saturday in the store, she runs an online shop and does consulting work. I ask her if she sleeps at all and my question stirs a wonderful laugh from Minna. “You should see our house! I wouldn’t be able to maintain this lifestyle without my family… My mom helps often at the store and my father builds our fair stands, my husband takes care of Pinja a lot. Sometimes I feel bad for asking so much help from my family, but I know that they want to help. “

Talking about the future, Minna reveals planning another project with designers targeting Europe. Also the documentarist Pauli Siuruainen is working on a TV documentary about Paloni’s aventures in New York called “Land of Dreams“. There will be many sales and workshop events in different cities in Finland, the latest event being the fashion brunch held at the Klaus K hotel. On running Paloni, Minna wistfully says, “If more money was available I would hire somebody to work full-time at the store, then I would use time for concept development and promoting designers, even when there is no pay involved. Money itself is secondary. It is a tool for making things happen, that’s how I feel. I don’t know how to hold on to possessions, the most important thing is get to work and make things happen.”

Paloni

www.paloni.fi

PALONI STOCK SALES / PALONIN YSTÄVÄMYYNTI 25.-27.4.2013

Three days of only samples, past collections and 2nd quality items on discounted prices at Paloni Concept Store (Eerikinkatu 7, Helsinki).

Since last of  year AVA Room has a new Italian distributor, le Civette sul Comò. Le Civette sul Comò will spread the message of simplicity and practicality of AVA Room’s designs in Italy. The owners of AVA Room, Helena Vartiainen and her husband Tommi Vartiainen, who is also the main designer, will travel to Italy together with baby-Ester. Feeling optimistic about the upcoming journey, Helena reveals her thoughts on the upcoming trip, “I hope the buyers will find our exhibition. During this trip we will personally meet all our Italian partners, see which way the wind is blowing in the design scene and experience the spring in Milan!”

Meet AVA Room in Milan at the Cascina Cuggagna on 12-15 April.

http://www.avaroom.fi/

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Soft Gallery

Soft Gallery

Soft Gallery

Paapii Design

Paapii Design / Postcards

Pale Cloud

Pale Cloud

LUCKYBOYSUNDAY

LUCKYBOYSUNDAY

LUCKYBOYSUNDAY

METSOLA

METSOLA

PETIT by SOFIE SCHNOOR

PETIT by SOFIE SCHNOOR

PETIT by SOFIE SCHNOOR

MARMAR

MARMAR

Loru

Loru

AARREKID

AARREKID

AARREKID

JUMINA

JUMINA

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Courageous. Empowering. Innovative. Inspiring.

These are a few words that pop into your mind when you hear the story of Erin Brennan Allan, a mother of two and the founder of Toto Knits. Toto Knits is a line of organic cotton knitwear made by a group of single mothers in Kenya.

OWNING A CLOTHING COMPANY IN NAIROBI, KENYA

Born in San Fransisco, living in New York, Erin used to work at a ”glossy magazine”, quoting her own words. Then came September 11 attacks and Erin witnessed the World Trade Center towers fall. That was the moment when she realized she wanted to do something else. To make a difference. Erin moved to Nairobi, Kenya, in 2002 and started working as the director of finance and development at a school for children with special needs. She also met her husband to-be soon after moving to Nairobi and they had two sweet children, Nina (8) and Tor (6).

While working at the school, she met Mary Wambui, a single-mother of three sons. Mary was very talented in all kinds of crafts like knitting, sewing and embroidery and the idea about Toto Knits started to build up in Erin’s mind. After Erin had her second child, Tor, in 2006, she started to think of flexible ways to work. She wanted to develop a business that would allow women to use their skills and also to provide for their families, while allowing them to be mothers first.

THE ETHICAL CHOICE OF TOTO KNITS

Becoming a social entrepreneur, Erin started to design knitwear and a number of women from Mary’s village came looking for work. Today Toto Knits employs over 40 women and Mary is overseeing the knitters. Each knit piece is made by hand and the knitters are paid by the piece, which allows them to work as much or as little as they like. The cotton they use is organic, brought from Uganda and Tanzania and twisted and dyed in Nairobi just for Toto Knits. Toto Knits ships everywhere in the world. It takes about a week to fill an order (each order is custom made) and then two to three weeks in the mail. Each knitted garment comes with a little card, signed by the knitter.

Designs are inspired by the surroundings in Kenya. Monkeys and warthogs in the garden, occasionally a lion too! How the clothes work on children is also an important aspect and guest mommy designers play an important role in that. You can also become the designer yourself. Toto Knits offers the possibility for you to design your own piece, which they then carry out. A child’s favorite animal or a character from a favorite story book are popular requests. The knit garment will be made according to your specifications.

When asked about her passions in life, Erin is very sure. ”My children, of course. It’s all about putting family first – especially for moms. And my work brings together the things I consider most important – helping people, the environment and being creative.”

Toto stands for a child in Swahili.

Sources:
Erin Brennan Allan
http://totoknitsshop.com/

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Muuto Socket Lamp collection by Swedish designer Matias Ståhlbom 

Continuing RAWR design series, we aim our spotlight at the Scandinavian design agency Muuto, another brand represented by the fashion & design concept store for 0–16 year olds, SMALLABLE. Closely working with 31 designers cooperating, Muuto aims to create everyday objects for Nordic loving fans. Here Ditte Rares from Muuto shares with us their philosophy and views on Nordic design.

Today Muuto is six years old. Do you feel that you are still following your original philosphy or you have changed as a company?

Yes, indeed. Muuto’s philosophy of bringing back Scandinavia as a distinct forerunner in the design world is still one of the primary aims of the company. As the company develops and expands, this aim becomes even more relevant as the success of the company is reflected in the progress of new Scandinavian design and vice versa.

Muuto Visu Chair Collection by Finnish designer Mika Tolvanen

What is Muuto’s relationship with designers?

Muuto’s role in the production process is diverse. Muuto works as manufacturer, sales office, PR and marketing office, but at times also as a sparring partner with the designers during the design process. In so, the designers are able to focus on their specific area, namely developing and creating visionary design.

Can you describe briefly your target group?

Our products apply to various target groups, but a common trait for most of our customers is a mutual interest in good design and nice aesthetics, and a wish to decorate their home or office with cool, Scandinavian elegance. Our target group, whether professional or private, would be the conscious consumer with an eye for great design, who also enjoys value for money.

Are there signs of “new” countries falling in love with Nordic design?

We experience an increasing interest from all over the world, be that on the furniture fairs, we attend around Europe or on our social media platforms, where we can see that especially South American and Asian consumers are falling for the minimalistic and clean Scandinavian look.

In your opinion, what should the families, parents and kids, value about Nordic design?

The durability and minimalism of Scandinavian design suits any family home. Most of Muuto’s collection also contains humorous details, which creates a fine balance for a fun and tasteful decorating theme.

–

Muuto is available at Smallable.com, THE fashion & design online concept-store, including more than 300 brands of fashion, furniture, decoration, books and toys. Despite this diversity each season, Smallable keeps consistency in substance and style by selecting only the finest products well thought and well designed.

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Q:  You created the first original Rocking Sheep for your niece Julie in 1981, that was more than 30 years ago. Have you continued the tradition with the new and younger generation in your family?

A: I grew up on a small farm and my parents are both farmers and skilled craftsmen. Making gifts yourself was both natural and an economic necessity. I have continued this, not as a principle, but whenever I feel for it. When Julie got a sheep it was natural to give her daughter a lamb, which is a scale model of the Rocking Sheep in 1:2. Julie’s little brother is going to be father this spring, so I have a feeling that he is expecting something as well…

A: The Swedish pinewood comes from the certified sawmills, and the sheepskin comes from Iceland, UK and even New Zealand. The very first ones were made from wood I found in containers. I did not remove the paint because I thought this was a part of the story. The sheepskin for the first sheep came from my parents sheep.

A: For all this time it has been important to me that people knows and can connect to the story behind the sheep, and that is why I first started by making each sheep myself – just like the first one. The succes of the sheep has in a way violated this principle, because I am not able to make all the rocking sheep myself anymore, especially if I want to make other things.  To ensure continuity I have found small, local workshops like my own, just a little more specialized, to make parts for me. I still  assemble the sheep and carry through the final quality control.

My kids, boys of one and a half and five years old, share a room together.

They sure know how to make a mess and spread their toys around.

And why wouldn’t they, they are kids after all.

One loves to build legos whilst the other prefers to eat them.

One reads books and the other mostly tears the pages.

One makes towers of blocks when the other thinks the best fun is to knock them down.

No dreams of a serene children’s room in this family.

We have fun instead.

I paint one wall yellow. Lemon yellow. The other two partly black.

Old toddler bed from flea market is polished and painted for for our little one. A bedside table is the spot for a little giraffe.

The five year old loves to draw and to exhibit his art.

Every week there is a new collage of pictures on the wall.

The lamp transforms into a hot air balloon with some help of masking tape and a crocheted basket. Little moomin figurines fly in it on the ceiling.

Striped and dotted cupcake forms work nicely as string light covers.
Soft toys travel around in a red car stroller, made by grandma.

Elli the alien has too long legs for the car and has to stay on the bed with his favorite pal, Urpo the dog, the cuddly one in the room.

This is children’s world. Not even the sky is the limit. Only imagination is.