Ivana Helsinki SS17
Ivana Helsinki is an independent art
centre, fashion brand and cinema studio founded by Paola Ivana Suhonen in 1998,
Finland. It started as Paola’s personal art project, now it is a way of Nordic
living concept. It is based on her childhood memories, her endless desire to be
on the road, her love for nature and animals. The inspiration comes from the
trips around the world, while they can be just moonlit fields, Caribbean
pirates, dark forests, crummy motels, fragile butterflies, passionate
relationships, Texas cowboy or guardian angels.
First ever I discovered Ivana Helsinki’s
special pattern was from Figaro Japan magazine in 2006. A year later, I visited
Ivana Helsinki flagship and discovered one of my favorite collections, Rouva,
which the montage pattern of a young lady’s face, conveying Slavic melancholy
with pure Scandinavian moods, a touch of USSR era vintage look. Shortly after I
resided in Finland, I joined the late night shopping in-store event on
Uudenmannkatu 15, enjoyed the local artist gigs, organic ciders, good vibe and
even met some of the most talented friends ever.
In February 2103, Ivana Helsinki celebrated
its 15th birthday exhibition at Design Museo, Helsinki. The visitors
can view collections from Ivana Finlandia 1999 to Rotterdam 2013, which the
patterns have been transforming from a mere dark blue tan top to a colourful
draped mid-length dress. Ivana Helsinki Coming Home Exhibition also featured a
series of nostalgic photographs and elegant fashion show short films. In 2017,
Ivana Helsinki involves once more, forward to publish its very pinkish and
stylish ‘Animal Rights’ magazine. Only sold at flagship store in Helsinki, this
30x 31.5 cm size owns a very minimal cover design, a pastel pink background
with off-white vintage fonts. Within a 140 page turns, 16 chapters include
portrait photography, veggie recipe, fashion champagne of SS17, report article,
celebrity letters and even family album. The very first issue of Ivana Helsinki
convey a very strong personal manifesto, a highly memoriam collection rather a
just fashion papers. Editor-in-Chief/Photographer Paola Suhonen, who
volunteered to work with rescue organization in Romania and South Africa, expresses
her views between lines:
“ In my opioion
humanity is measured in the way we treat animals, living creatures from nature.
Animals have the right for a good life.”
Ivana Helsinki SS17 collection is a special tribute to
the dogs that Paola met and helped in Romania. Through the first chapter of
magazine, ‘Portrait of a Best Friend’, we realize the dogs were having a
rougher lives under a despair environments, but now every dog is known by name
and having their warmly forever home in Finland. With this ‘Animal Rights’
fashion collection, models wear dresses or shirts of animal prints, pose or
touch those beautiful friends. The layout of the graphic design casually shows
full page, occasionally the photos patch in a city-block style; between chapter
to chapter, some blank pages leave the whole baby pink, or inserts montage
styles of graphic paintings in between.
What we crave are those true stories behind the lenses,
the pastel tones of minimal touch, and the personal messages at every page turn.
They show not only the lovely moments between human beings and animals, but
also those factory prisoners of tragic life. The readers even learn from the
nearly private family photos on chapter 7 ‘Family Album’, that how simple
country living styles can be back to the 70’s. What we are a bit disappointed
is the quality of the printing, Perhaps it has its aesthetic purpose, still,
the quality of the high resolution can be solved, preferably if the measurement
of the magazine downsizes to a easy portable square. All in all it’s a compassionated,
loved but a strong-mind jewel of reading.
For my own photography, in order to echo the major theme
of the magazine, I adopt Japanese artist Yasushi Koyama’s mini porcelain collection,
the cat, the dog and the penguin. Additionally with a little touch of strong
hue, I place a mini poppy red mushroom deco item, also from Koyama, on the
cover of ‘Animal Rights’ issue. The white camellia flowers from Chanel are
always my favourite photography accessories, and they are perfect to cover the
stain or dent. Last but not the least, Finnish cosmetic brand Vitalis is one of
Ivana Helsinki’s clients on the project of packaging design, therefore, on the
back cover of the magazine, I make this light-pink and grape purple Vitalis lip
balm tin container accompany the off-white mini paragraph together, so the
pastel color and the short terms stand out loud.
For those who about to love both fashion and animals, we
salute you.
Special Thanks: Beto
Works Cited & Photography:
IVANA HELSINKI ANIMAL RIGHTS
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