Io Sposa

In the beginning of October we went to Io Sposa, wedding expo here in Fiera Milan. As a fashion designer I am always interested in seeing everything new and seeking interesting ideas. One day I will get married as well, so why not. I was thrilled with all the exhibitors. There were so many beautiful things that I saw and I got to taste. THe story continues here.

Boscolo Exedra/ Milano

One of the many reasons why I love to live in Milan is the never ending list of cocktail parties every single evening. In Finland I would say the endless list of Kissanristiäiset*. Unfortunately I have been too busy to attend most of them, but I have taken the time once in a while to see my dear friends and have a glass of sparkling. On Thursday evening was the inauguration of Boscolo Exedra hotel`s aperitif time. You can read the rest here.

Cartoline di natale

Despite of running out of time in a day, I still want to make all the Christmas cards myself. This year was no exception. The first day off from designing I started my project. I was surprised to find all the materials from home… well, almost all the materials. I did have to make some compromise with the cardboard colors… The rest you can read here.

Zermatt

My life has been so hectic that there hasn`t been a few hours extra to write anything. Sorry about that! Now I have 4 days off from designing and I can concentrate only for my tailoring customers. Feels almost like vacation. In the beginning of November I traveled to Switzerland to work for my company. You can read the rest here.

Weekend a Siena

My weeks have started to look like before summer, overloaded with work. I slightly like it, so no complaining. In almost one week I had time to make an haute couture evening dress for a Finnish client, trip to Belgium, start a new winter collection and make a weekend getaway trip to Tuscany. The rest you can read here.

Arona, Lago Maggiore

On Saturday the weather was beautiful and we wanted to get out of the city. The choices were to drive to the mountains, to the sea or to the lake. The decision came as a surprise to me… a town on Lago Maggiore, Arona. On our way there I felt a certain familiarity in some little village. I had been there before a few years ago when going to Lago D’Orta. In my mind all the Italian villages look the same, but I guess not. You can read the rest of the story here.

Frankie Morello

On Monday the Milan fashion week for women presenting the spring summer 2010 collections was almost finished. I thought that I would be working backstage for Frankie Morello, but I wasn’t needed. The fashion world is full of surprises or at least that is how it is in Italy. I was sorry for not being able to see the clothing closely, but my friend Sara saved my day by asking me if I wanted to go to see the fashion show. Of course!!! Thank you of the invitations sweetie. You can read the rest of the story here.

Aquilano e Rimondi

On Sunday was my favorite fashion show; Aquilano.Rimondi. I worked backstage for them also in February and the fall winter 2009-10 collection was gorgeous. I couldn’t wait to see this one for the coming spring 2010. Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi are the young powers of the Italian fashion scene, designing their own namesake collection, sold at Saks Fifth Avenue and other stores, in addition to designing Gianfranco Ferré. The rest of the story you find here.

Armani & Marco De Vincenzo

On Saturday was the spring 2010 fashion show of Emporio Armani. I went there with my dear friend Teemu and I was happy that I had skipped the birthday party of my friend’s the night before. (The others weren’t that happy of me staying home, though…sorry!) Via Borgognone was packed with people and photographers. I liked the atmosphere. You can read the rest of the story here.

Gabriele Colangelo

I was big time jetlagged after returning from Hong Kong and our dinner back in Milan turned out to be a Thursday night’s party. I just wished to get home to take a shower and to bed, but there were other plans made for me… Friday I met my dear friend for lunch. We hadn’t seen each other for weeks. In the afternoon I was also supposed to unpack my luggage, but instead I helped my model friend translating his mixer instructions from English into Italian?!?!?!?! (Pretty good considering that I didn’t even understand the words in English, hih hih…) The rest of the story you can continue reading here.

Hong Kong

“Ni Hao“. I got the change to fly to Hong Kong for a few days just before the Milan Fashion Week for Women started. I was so busy before my trip that I barely realized that I would be travelling to the other side of the world… or then I just didn`t stress that much anymore after all my trips. I flew Qatar Airways “World’s 5-star airline” and I was satisfied. You can read the rest here.

Pranzo in Svizzera

Last week I got a surprise mail from my old American friend. He had moved to Switzerland to play hockey and he wanted to see me. We hadn’t seen each other since he stopped playing for TPS, Turku and changed cities in Finland. It was about a time to catch up and have a laugh with him. You can read the rest here.

Lago di Como/ Varenna

I still haven’t started working properly and I wanted to do something nice last week with my friend Sally-Ann. She proposed that I would go with her to the Lake Como where she is working. Getting up in the mornings is hard for me now when I actually still can enjoy sleeping. I missed the first trains in the morning from Milan and arrived to Monza one hour later than agreed. (Sorry sweetie!) The story continues here.

Alassio e Andora

I returned to Italy 3 weeks earlier than I was supposed to and 3 kilos heavier. Ups! I guess my mom’s food was tasty. Milan was burning hot with +40 C and I carrying snowboard in the airport gave me some suspicious looks. My ride forgot where he had parked the car (heatstroke?) and I thought that I would melt in my LBD (little black dress) while searching for it. The story continues here.

Turista a Rauma

My third vacation week in Finland was devoted to my home city Rauma. I hadn’t planned to do anything major, only to meet a few friends, cook lunch for my dad, bake some treats, read books and start running again. I succeeded pretty well and found out that at the end I was running out of time…like always. I was supposed to stay in Finland for 6 weeks (or that is how my flights were booked), but I started to long for my return to Milan earlier than expected. I wonder why… ;o) The story continues here.

Madonna & Helsinki

Spending my vacation in Finland always means rushing from place to another and trying to meet all the best friends. I always have 3 cities to visit and way too little time. I spent my second long weekend in the capital. The first evening I met my old friends from Turku in the city center. Our date of 3 turned out to be an evening with 8 which is usual when I go out with my best friend. This time we gave some Finnish guys rough time with their manners. Living in Italy has taught me some new expectations which I guess aren’t that common in Finland… You can read the rest here.

Weekend a Turku

My “vacation” in Finland started with some work in Turku for a few days. I wanted to go to see my friends in Hanko Poker Run, but decided that the weather wasn’t warm enough to do some yacht hopping and agreed to work at DBTL. It was raining on Friday afternoon and I was terrified to freeze after Milan’s +40C. I survived and met some friends by Aura-river. It was nice being back to my own home city and by the look of some amazed faces I for sure surprised some friends by being back to Turku. The story continues here.

Moët & Chandon & Madonna

Champagne has been the symbol for fabulous celebrations for more than two hundred years. Moët & Chandon, the champagne of fabulous celebrations of romance, of success, of a personal triumph or a public achievement has always been my favorite. Some years ago I decided that life is too short with its ups and downs and you really don’t need a reason to drink champagne... The story continues here.

Champagne e BBQ sul Lago Maggiore

I was almost done with my work in Milan and felt slightly restless while waiting for my vacation to start. You know the feeling when you have worked so hard with something and then you realize that you don’t have a new project where to concentrate 24/7. I felt empty and my dear friends sensed that when they suggested a weekend away from Milan. The story continues here.

Maison Dubosk

I always tell you just about working like a maniac or having aperitifs under the warm Italian evenings. This time I will introduce to you my friend Stefania. I had heard a lot about her from her parents, but it wasn’t until this February when we had the chance to meet the first time. Finally!
These times when the economy doesn’t look that promising and fashion houses after another report bad results, you really need to be creative to keep on doing what you love the most. Stefania started her own T-shirts business. Here is her story...

Glamarathon- corsa sui tacchi a spilli

The day after I had returned from Germany, started the official sales in Italy. That means that even the designer brands lower their prices (read: Armani -50%, Gucci -50%, Burberry -50% etc.) Last year I made some great finds from Corso Como 10 and that is where I wanted to visit this time as well. Luckily I didn’t find anything worth spending. The story continues here:

Bread & Butter a Berlino, giorni II & III

I was supposed to post this second part of my Berlin trip already last week, but finishing the winter collections I was working with took all of my time. (So sorry…)

The second full day in Berlin I had a business meeting in Bread and Butter with the company I am working with. The lunch turned out to be longer than expected and very nice indeed. Afterwards I went to see people that I know and took these pictures from Rucanor’s exhibition stand. I think their shoes are really cool and for sure more affordable than Converse, Adidas and Puma. The story continues here.

Bread & Butter a Berlino, giorno I

On Tuesday I flew to Berlin via Zurich. I was sure to miss my flight or at least my luggage with the short connection change (30min), but I made it. The trip started kind of funny… I made some new companionships already onboard and I got driven to the hotel by two young gentlemen and a lady. My friends were already in town and they wanted me to join them for dinner. I was so tired of all the hectic past weeks that I just felt like having a glass of red wine in the hotel’s summer garden. I stayed in the Kempinski Hotel Bristol, which I can highly recommend for everybody. It felt like in Kämp, Helsinki. The story continues here.

Un giorno a Firenze

Just to proof that my life wouldn’t get to be too boring, I had to travel to Florence for a job interview on Friday. I had an afternoon meeting with the creative director of a Florentine fashion company.
Like always in Italy, I had to wait for 30 minutes to meet the man in charge. It was pretty interested just to meet him in person. I adore the latest collections of the brand, but moving to Florence wasn’t the first thing in my mind… We’ll see! The story continues here.

L’ora dell’aperitivo

On Wednesday morning I dragged myself to the showroom of Alexander McQueen without barely any sleep. I can just wonder how the models and rock stars make it to work the next day… My cure was water; lots of water in the 30 minutes taxi drive stucked in the morning traffic. I was so tired that I couldn’t even think how to survive the day working again. For my relief somebody had mixed the schedules big time and they relieved me. There was a God!!! The story continues here.

Festa con Coolio

On Tuesday evening I had gotten an invitation to Diana Majestic for a cocktail party. Paul & Betty, a young shoe brand would present their new collection for the spring/summer 2010. I had heard that the aperitif in the garden of the hotel is always great so I was excited to see what the evening would bring to us. The story continues here.

Showroom di Vivienne Westwood

On Monday morning I started working at the showroom of Vivienne Westwood. My friend stayed sleeping home, on the table I had left the map of Milan and a ticket to the tram/metro. What a friend I am… She flies here and I keep on working. Got to calm down a bit I guess. The story continues here.

Backstage a Giuliano Fujiwara

The last fashion show I worked on Sunday was Giuliano Fujiwara. I had completely forgotten how I promised myself in January that I wouldn’t work for him anymore. We were supposed to start there at 4PM, but I believe it was way later than 6PM when they finally let us in. The Japanese staff was freaking out like the last time and I was wondering why they even needed us. The story continues here.

Backstage a Vivienne Westwood

I have started to see light in the end of the tunnel. I have worked like crazy to finish all the tailoring works I have had. My German design boss must be furious of not hearing of me for more than a week. I had to hire extra help to get everything done and still 2 pairs of hands weren’t enough. We really finished the last possible night. It was funny to see that the stress of Marangoni’s and IED’s final exam’s were driving some people insane. Mainly my clients were sweet, but the last girl made me furious. She still gives me shivers when I think of her. The story continues here...

Domenica Brunch a Home Made Restaurant

I felt that I am missing all the other bloggers stories when not signing in here, so I desided that I will start posting always the start of the story here. The rest you can read from my new address... http://umami.fi/muoti-kauneus/stellina/

My rush with works hasn’t eased. I feel that it is getting even worse. I am almost starting to count the mornings when all this should be over… (never?)

Still… last Sunday I made it to private brunch with my friend Max. He asked me out about a month ago and I told him that I would love to go, but not in the coming 3 weeks. I must be quite popular or then just insanely busy…? (Busy it is!) The story continues here.

Mercato dell’ antiquarito di Milano

This is gonna be one of the last articles in this address. You can continue following my blog here: http://umami.fi/muoti-kauneus/stellina/

Always on the last Sunday of a month is the famous antiques market of Naviglio. My Frenchmen were still in town last Sunday and when Stephane asked what we should do, the only choice was Naviglio. I try to go there every month, it is 100 meters from my home door. I love the atmosphere and of course the antiques jewelry.

It was great to see my friends again. There is something in their companion that makes me feel relaxed and they for sure made me laugh… ;o)

The day was absolutely gorgeous and for a long time all the sellers were present. At least for the past 2 times I have been there, it has been raining and the canal has been pretty empty. It is funny how things change in life. I used to go there always with my blond friend, life goes on bella…

Something funny happened when I was walking to meet my men. Hmmm… I don’t know how to put this into words or maybe I shouldn’t!?! A midnight blue Porsche stopped next to me in the street, the driver opened the window and HE WANTED ME. I can speak Italian and there was for sure, no misunderstanding of his sayings. I was pretty shocked and kept on walking and he kept driving slowly next to me. I don’t get it! Okay, I am blond, tall, pretty… but I had no heels and my outfit was far from the “Pretty Woman”-movie. I don’t know if I should be impressed or mortified. (I need to admit that I have seen the same Porsche passing me other times as well. He must be my prince charming or then just a horny pervert.)

My afternoon was quite lucky. I found the golden necklace that I have been looking for. (The ones from Tiffany’s and Bvlgari still remain in my dream, hint baby!!!) The unlucky part was to hear that the Chanel’s quilted 2.55 handbag that I have been drooling over, had been sold 1, 5 hours before I stopped for the section of designer bags. Sniff… Luckily I had two wide shoulders to cry on. ;o)

Last Friday we had a get-together with A Small World- members in a Glamour Apartments behind Duomo. Everybody who got there was supposed to bring a bottle of Champagne. The result was a bathtub filled with 100kg of ice and all the bottles. The evening was great fun and the best party was of course in the beautiful bathroom. You can guess why…

Bisous!

PS. We will wait and see if my picture will appear to the street section of Clin d`oeil. Some Canadian girl stopped me and wanted to take a picture of my outfit.

Venerdì molto normale a Milano

I am strugling with time again and between all my works, I have started to write blog at Umami. The next few articles I will continue this blog as well, but within 2 weeks you can only follow me at my new address: La Bella Principessa a Milano. (http://umami.fi/muoti-kauneus/stellina/)

00-05.00 still working with customer sewing (damn top!!!)

05.00 shower

05.10-08.00 sleeping

08.00 crawling to get the first alarm from downstairs/ closing the other phone

08.10 first snooze

08.20 second snooze

09.20 waking up by a phone call… and closing all the three alarms which are found under the pillow

9.30 tea for breakfast, no appetite after 3-5 hour / night sleeps for some months

9.30 computer on, checking the unread mails -> 179

9.40 back to sewing (damn top)

11.00 janitor comes to weld the iron bars of the roof window (the firefighters cut them when I was in Belgium and my apartment was flooding a month ago)

11.50 first customer comes under the ladder of the janitor to pick up his stuff

12.00 second customer comes to pick up her sewing (the top almost done)

12.30 fruits for breakfast, still no appetite, but gotta eat

12.45 time for illustrator and the winter sports collection 2010-11 for men and women (which still isn’t done)

14.30 customer comes back with her sewings and tells the result of her fitting (need to redo the damn top)

15.00 new client comes with her fabrics

15.15 back to illustrator

17.30 screaming aloud….. wishing to be inside of her design boss` brain!?!?!?!??!!

18.00 black neighbour cat (Mussukka) returns from the open window

18.15 sweet Jade (customer) comes with her boyfriend (me in sweatpants, without makeup… I did wash my hair last night, thank god)

18.30 me still wearing the 18cm Prada heels she brought to adjust with the pants I made her a few months ago. I have a THING with high high heels *GOSH* and I was taller to try the pants than her (she is from Portugal and looks like Giselle B.)

18.45 back to illustrator

20.00 Teemu comes for a visit -> gossiping about the past day’s happenings, OMG I missed him alredy….

22.30 back to illustrator

03.25 writing blog and still fancying about the Prada heels, I saw them in the Galleria Prada store some weeks ago *GOSH*

04.38 back to illustrator and dreaming of sleeping before morning…

Ps. Check these heights:

Milano Backstage Fashion Show

"Backstage is a fashion event where people meet, mingle, eat and drink and enjoy a complete unconventional Fashion Show.

This series of events has been created by 5 fashionable girls sharing the same passion and desire to help talented upcoming designers launch their fashion line.

After the success of the first edition of Backstage, last March 2009, Backstage returns for a new fashion show with new designers and the curation of the make up by LANCOME italia."

I attended the first show in March and in this show I was supposed to be one of the new designers, but... I had no time to design and make the new creations. Next one will be in October, where I should finally be in as a designer.

We went to Lotvs with my boys Stephane and Teemu. I felt pretty privileged with my tall men (rare feeling) and I got quite a lot of attention, even from Fashion Television. I definately stood out from the crowd being blond, tall and looking relaxed in my denim overalls. (Let me say that overalls will be trendy again, they are so comfortable in the summer heat...)

The evening was hot and the terrace full with happy people.

This was funny, behind the dj was a sign "Dancing Forbidden".

There were 4 designers and the clothing was pretty hidious. The first dresses were awfully tacky, the next ones a bit better, the third ones underwear dresses??? and the last 2 guys had designed prints & t-shirt... No comments!

Best part for sure was my friend Yamal modelling the underwear!!!

She was the prettiest model. (OMG, I have become like a guy, I am judging women already. I need to change back to feminine dresses, the loose pants effect my behaviour negatively...)

Some more friends joined us from Paris and we continued the evening at Naviglio for late dinner and drinks. It has been so hot here that I have no appetite before ten at night. Luckily champagne is cold and fresh always. ;o)

Showroom di Ermanno Scervino e Roberto Cavalli

I am again posting soooo late. The week has been hectic. I might have to start admitting to myself that my life will never calm down. How many years I need to try to prove it...

On Tuesday I worked at the showrooms of Ermanno Scervino and Class Roberto Cavalli with the summer collections 2010. It was completely extra work just for fun. Both of the showrooms were in Via della Spiga. (Dangerous street with Tiffany`s, Prada, Miu Miu etc.)

I was surprised to find out the clothing really pretty, nice street style. There were some pieces that I would definately wear. Now I only need to wait a year to see them in the stores, damn...

Me working extremely hard, see... ;o)

I truly wanted to take these long white roses home with me...

...they were gorgeous. I still remember when my mom turned 50 years and my M bought her 50 long, red roses and 1 white for the coming year to bring luck. The bouquet was heavy and for sure expensive.

After lunch break we changed the showroom with the girls. The models got new makeup & hair and the clothing changed to R. Cavalli 2010 summer. Honestly the clothing didn`t impress me. Who can wear all the synthetic fibres in the summer heat when it is +35c and everything is sweaty, smelly and glued into your back. Yuck!

Waiting like always. Nothing starts in time in this country. NEVER!!!

My beautiful Brazilian model Lis. She was cool, had a great personality and we clicked immediately. It was fun working with her. (The Brazilians have an amazing body, trust me!!!)

Slightly too big for my taste. I still prefer the one from Tiffany`s. (Hint!!!)

Models and Claudio (the brain of the fashion show). Great experience again. I can`t wait for the men fashion week in a few weeks and the after parties with model boys... ;o)