Paola Suhonen and IVANAhelsinki

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)