NYFW Preview: Ivana Helsinki 'Indian Summer' S/S 2012

Indian Summer from Paola Suhonen on Vimeo.

A preview of Ivana Helsinki's Indian Summer S/S 2012 collection by Paola Suhonen to be presented at NYFW this Friday, September 9th. Beautifully shot in Helsinki's Uutela Nature Park during August 2011. Original music composed by Jane Weaver.


via Dehlia Hennessy's What's Happening In My World

Feature Interview on The Sugar Diaries

  Abigail Doan at The Land/an art site in New Mexico

 handmade paper, vegetation, and sun-powered lighting

I am thrilled to share news that I recently did an interview on sustainable fashion, living, and art making/crafting for one of Hungary's most stylish blogs, The Sugar Diaries.

Here is an excerpt:

"I think that it is important to take small steps to do those things that are achievable and meaningful in your immediate sphere. This could be something very poetic like trying to start a windowsill garden or repairing old clothes that you like but can no longer wear. Using one’s hands brings one closer to the source of a true existence. Buying green is not the only way to go green. I find that people in my neighborhood here in Sofia, Bulgaria, are living very sustainably in ways that are not necessarily trendy. For example, they till small patches of soil outside of their buildings, use the clothesline for drying garments, and certainly have small bundles of garbage that they take down to the street bins. Some times these bags are so tiny, and they obviously have been able to do this by buying food that does not come in packaging and at a higher cost. I also see the older generation canning lots of vegetables and preserves as well as mending textiles that they hang on their terraces. There is a grace to this way of living that is not about being able to afford eco-friendly clothing or design objects, but makes perfect sense for the environment and a life well-lived. This, for me, is what true sustainability is all about."

You can follow The Sugar Diaries here.

Summertime in Sofia: KAYU Sunglasses

KAYU Rawa bamboo sunglasses

Some friends have expressed concern that I have runaway from home by slipping away to Sofia this summer, so I decided to occasionally post photos of how happy I am here, and how I choose to wear some of the great fashion designs that I packed or acquire during my travels.

I recently started wearing these KAYU Rawa bamboo sunglasses, as they are so lightweight and provide lots of coverage for my sun-kissed face. They are larger than I usually like my lenses to be, but now that I have been wearing them for awhile, the frames feel like a nice layer of protection. I also like the soft natural hue with my skin tone. Another reason to feel good about KAYU? For every pair of sunglasses purchased, KAYU donates US $20 to fund one sight-restoring surgery in the developing world. True global design vision – makes me even happier.

More summer style photos from Sofia to come / xx