Helsinki Design Market December 7, 2014

At Kaapelitehdas, Ruoholahti

After Helsinki Design Week in September, Kaapelitehdas (Cable Factory in English) again gathers over 70 original Finnish artists, designers, studios and brands to allure design lovers’ vision, inspiration and no doubt, cash cash.

On the South Wall avenue of main building, Finnish artist Teemu Järvi Illustrations on bear, hare, fox and deer by using oriental ink capture my sights. Mainly exhibiting and selling his paintings, but also with cotton tote bags, postcards and tattoo stickers at stall, Teemu combines his love of Finnish nature and sketch skills, alternatively snapshots the black & white silhouette of Finland. Coincidentally, Finnish ethical fur designer Marita Huurinainen’s flagship boutique, parts of the interior design is collaborating with Teemu Järvi Illustrations, in which echo between eco, fashion and design.

Japanese animal lover and art craftsman Yasushi Koyama, graduated from Aalto University, now distributes the most cutest panda, doggy, kitty and mushroom collection to make us wow ‘kawaii’. I especially admire the ‘Panda with Pinky Balloon’, alas it is a great pity that budget is budget, still I take mini kitty tote bag and micro doggy statue to express my support. I truly believe these 2 will be extremely lovely adding up the atmosphere of my bedroom deco and photo shooting projects.

Founded in 2002, Designer Ilona Hyötyläinen launched Miun, a Finnish family run design house in 2004. The design in Miun women’s clothing is clean and sleek with romantic touch. After Hyötyläinen giving birth of a baby girl, Miun now owns children’s wear, Mini Miun. Each Miun piece is designed, sewn and knitted ethically either in Finland or Estonia, and the story behind each collection can be seen in the prints as well as the cuts of the garments.

Finnish design never lacks any international market potential. The most designers need to be aware of, is that being so satisfied and extremely positive about ‘Made in Finland’ products is a killing trap stone of its brighter future, Design and Fashion is highly competitive around the world, no matter what kind of nationality you hold on to. Since there are still quite some Finnish women’s wear brands, selling a ‘made in Estonia’ 100% polyester black top at 100 EUR, only being naively proud that the designer is Finnish native, or a design studio is short of appropriate investment, still would like to leap into a category called High Fashion; both above are simply a dangerous child play. By year 2014, Kaapelitehdas Design Market brings up the best, the doubts and somehow highly provocative, no doubt a great chance to observe the future of Finnish design.