Apparently, a Fatboy is not (clue being the fact that the word starts with a capital letter!) a fat boy! But it is, among other things, a person – i.e., musician Fatboy Slim (aka Norman Quentin Cook); a motorcycle – i.e., Fatboy (“a V-Twin powered Softail series motorcycle produced by the Harley-Davidson Motor Company” in 1990); and our favorite – Fatboy furniture (“a whole family of joyful products from bags to different lounge chairs, made for relaxing and enjoying the comforts of life.”)

Designed by Jukka Setälä (photo: left), recipient of Receiver of Best New Furniture in Europe 2006 and Excellent Design by the Norwegian Design Council, and a teacher of furniture design at the University of Art and Design Helsinki since 1999, the Fatboy chair is: “perfect for all spaces, from kids’ rooms to offices. Even your dog will love it. This will be the bean bag you cannot wait to dive into when you get home. Made out of heavy duty nylon, this attention-grabber has been voted the best new piece of furniture in Europe and is a constant favorite at all kinds of events, from summer festivals to conventions and sports events.”

A favorite at “summer festivals to conventions and sports events?” Well, I don’t quite see that, do you? I mean, a little difficult to cart around wouldn’t you think? An SUV maybe, or a truck? So where do you put the kids? And the sports bags? And the cooler?

SEK DESIGN (a division of SEK & GREY, which is a division of GREY GLOBAL) came up with this stunning commercial featuring Finnish Figure Skating Champion (photo: left) Kiira Korpi (Olympics 2008 contender) for their client VALIO, which they call “the largest dairy company in Finland,” and “the market leader in all key dairy product groups and a world-class pioneer in developing functional foods…The Valio Vanilla brand was successfully launched in the indulgence category, with the message ‘Remember to pamper yourself’. The design emphasizes the features characteristic to the brand and its products: deliciousness, softness and indulgence.”

Doesn’t this commercial just make you want to run right out and buy some Valio Vanilla ice cream? Well, you just might be able to find it in your home town. Valio has subsidiaries in over 60 countries worldwide!

In the USA, Finlandia Cheese (a Valio subsidiary) products are sold at Costco. Don’t know about the ice cream. But if you go to the FC website, you can download a coupon and save $1 on your next purchase! And hey – if you’re really keen – send the Valio CEOs an email and badger them to market the product in your neighborhood!!! OR NOT!

Minna Parikka, whose shoes and bags have a worldwide market - 10 countries and 4 continents - is probably the youngest, and certainly one of Finland's most successful fashion designers. At 28, she is just beginning to build her empire!

How did she climb to these dazzling heights?

Minna admits to having had a “footwear fetish” from the age of 15. By the time she was into her early teens, her career path was clear. Success, however, didn’t come without effort and application. She studied footwear design in the UK and with the growing success of her ‘Minna Parikka’ line (launched in 2005), she continues to travel around the world seeking inspiration for new designs.

“From sweet and girly flats to glamour-girl wedges”, says Minna, “ to mile-high heels for the naughty seductress, there’s something for every leading lady. Get ready to fall in love”.

Minna Parikka's collection is available on her web boutique.

Video Gem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaF1O6kq6SI
(Minna Parikka Shoe A/W 2008 Collection)

Paola Suhonen (left), designer of Finnish women's wear label IVANAhelsinki, is one of the first Scandinavian designers to do a major catwalk show in Paris (today's video gem - right).

2008 was apparently the 'year of the Scandinavians' on the streets of Paris. In the summer, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs featured exhibitions of contemporary Finnish design, and hip boutiques around the city were stocking up on clothing lines by Finnish and Scandinavian designers.

There was definitely a buzz around the IVANAhelsinki line, perhaps because of what some fashion gurus are calling "ethical luxury", which translates into
"organic" fabrics, for example, as opposed to synthetics.

Fashion, it appears, is striving to be socially and ecologically responsible, and that is most assuredly 'a good thing!'

Suhonen's design style has been described as an "art-driven oddity". I agree. Many of her creations will likely live out their lives as pictures at an exhibition; that said, I like the fact that she approaches fashion with an artist's brush. I like the 'association of sensibilities' approach - her use of color, film, history, literature, ancient arts & crafts in the creative process, and I am sure she is aware that... well, art isn't always 'portable.' In other words, would your average Joe-Anne) wear it?

Who - me? A piece or two for special occasions? I definitely would - with some personal touches added! I am, in the end, grateful for the drama and poetry in Suhonen's line.

As Suhonen told one fashion reporter, "It's the return of beauty. We Finnish people are closer to poetry, in a way, than to commercial fashion."

Nevertheless, from the gallery, Ms. Suhonen - a question still arises! What's with the fringed footwear? If you're doing boots, you're thinking "brrrrr' - I am! This is fall/winter wear and we have bare legs. Some of your tops would, I think, have shown better with color-matched tights!

Ah well. Perhaps I'm being too prosaic.

Video Gem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4iXTkgfoZE
(IVANAhelsinki Fall/Winter 2008 collection)