Kimmo Matias Menswear Line Continues

I don't usually brag about this kinds of things and not in this case either. I'm only sharing a happy moment with all of my readers, that's all! If anyone wishes to make more of it, well, then those people can just shove it down their throats. So, the story goes... Today I received a letter from Alfred Kordelin foundation. Some time ago I sent a grant application to them - and the answer to that was: yes! So this year I will start doing research and wire myself all over the place and in the beginning of next year I will start designing and producing the second edition of my menswear fashion line. I initally started the line in the beginning of this year with a small 'tester' collection.

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This weekend we are celebrating Mika's birthday (which was last week), my birthday (which was this week) and my future collection (which will see the light of day in the beginning of 2009). Three adorable creatures of course, haha - so lots to celebrate! This made my day!

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This will not mean I will be abandoning other creative arenas I love to play in. So I will still continue to do music and paint and photograph etc but next year my focus is and will have to be on this menswear collection, so that will be the main thing. But as I think I've written before, all the things I do are a natural part of me, and I love all my babies. Lot's of love and light to everyone, hope you all have a brilliant weekend! Shine your light and The Light will shine back at you... Sometimes patience is a virtue - though no way in hell would I say I possess such a virtue! I am the most impatient person I know, when my temper ignites it only takes 2 seconds to light the whole damn house on fire (figure of speech of course) so I guess I do not need to add I feel quite passionate about things?? And just in case you think I'm joking, let me tell ya, I ain't! Hahaha.

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I believe that sometimes life makes us struggle for our desires, to question our motives for doing things. It is a hard battle yet precious one, because to feel fulfilled we need to do something we love and we need to do it for the right reasons. My beliefs have been put to test many times and the rule number one is: never give up - this is where the patience is a plus. Rule number two is: never give up dreaming and your will to learn more. Rule number three: do your best and don't expect to get things for free - the reward is always sweeter when you know you have earned it. Rule number four: nobody succeeds all the time. When you're best is not good enough, then the thing you are reaching for might not be the right thing for you - or simply it's not yet time for you to have what you want. This means you need to learn something first, so you need to be honest with yourself and think about what you want, how you can reach it, are you doing it for the right reasons. Universe is an interesting place - let the energy flow through you. The minute you think you know it all and place yourself above everyone else, you will fall down from your high horse and stop growing. And I am not writing this in a way that I'm lecturing you nor am I "teaching you", I'm simply stating what I believe to be true. I've had plenty of struggles in my life and this is what I've come to learn from it. Usually when things are at their worst, something good is just around the corner. Have faith and fight agaist the dark thoughts - that is what I do, sometimes the light wins, sometimes the dark wins but ultimately there is always a reason behind things - even if we cannot see them. Kisses and hugs to everyone!

Thought of the Day

Be patient and try to see the meaning behind things that happen to you. Sometimes the path you want to walk, isn't the path you were chosen to walk. It doesn't mean you will not get there. It doesn't mean you will not reach your dreams - the path just may have a twist or two, so you learn to appreciate the journey instead of the result.

My Photography: Auroar Collection

This week's My Photography post is connected with my work. I took these images in 2001, when I was still studying fashion. We had a big EU-funded design project in our school called "Snowcastle". I entered with this women's winter collection.

The cape is one of the central pieces of the collection (though unfortunately from these images you can't see it properly): it is one-shoulder, assymmetrical cape with a silver jewellery closing. All the jewellery was made by students of the jewellery design course corresponding to my original ideas and sketches.

The outfits were inspired by the finnish ugriculture and the nature. In the collection I wanted to portray the strength and the fragility of an ancient Nordic woman. There is eight outfits total, here is only a portion of the collection. This collection was the biggest single designer collection done within the design project (consisting of over 20 pieces) and it won second prize in Italian fashion design competition and was ranked in the top ten at young designer's competition in St.Petersburgh, Russia. This is also the collection I have to thank for a lot that has happened in my life - this was the ticket to Milan and all the other wonderful things that followed that experience.

In all the dresses either a portion or the whole dress was made of handmade felted material, which I produced myself. Over 20 meters of fabric - it was a hard task but very rewarding after I saw my creations come to life.

I took these photographs myself during my photography course and I am really happy with them. I think they capture the spirit of my collection very well. I hope you enjoy them!