Hanna Sarén (Helsinki, Finland)

I'm finally back home and very glad the traveling is over, seeing as I had yet another delayed and missed flight on my way back. Which might not have been as bad if both my Significant Other and I hadn't managed to catch a cold in Hong Kong. Being ill while traveling for almost a day really isn't fun. But not to worry... if anything can brighten a day, it's beautiful clothes and accessories, right? Thankfully finding something fun and chic in Helsinki was an easy task. Like most of Scandinavia, Finland is renowned for its cutting-edge, modern design (not just in fashion). But aside from being avant-garde, the North also has a love of all things colorful, bold and patterned, which is why you'll easily find items with typical retro or winter prints.

Stills from the FW09 campaign film.

Hanna Sarén, one of Finland's most popular designers is a master of both, creating experimental pieces that are wearable and fun. Starting out in 2000 when she first made bags and clogs which were presented in Japan, she quickly rose to fame, partially because SJP wore her designs (clogs and a purse) in an episode of SATC. Soon after, Sarén started a women's wear collection, focusing on beautiful tailoring, quality materials and detailed finishing. Together with her partner and husband Jussi Tiilikka, a boutique was opened in Helsinki in 2006. Following the launch of a menswear and a children's collection Sarén also participated in numerous side projects, such as a collaborations with Swarovski or the fashion chain Seppälä.

A beautiful dress and cute accessories in the store windows. Statement necklaces featuring cats and other animals on the lower right.

Considering how hard it is to find Sarén's pieces in stores throughout the world, visiting this boutique was at the top of my list, which proved to be tricky because of the limited opening hours of Finnish indie shops during the weekends. After two failed attempts, which left me drooling at the store windows but nothing more, I finally managed to drop by on a Monday morning. While I had managed to get a pretty good idea of the adorable accessories, such as the quirky leather statement necklaces featuring cats or dogs and a great assortment of keychains during previous window shopping stopovers, I couldn't wait to check out the FW09 collections, since the website only featured a short film on the current range instead of a lookbook or campaign images.

Patterned socks by the window (left) and a mannequin sporting a fun statement necklace (right).

Overview of the front area featuring the women's collection (left). Ruffled dresses and cosy knits as worn by mannequins, and some of the famous clogs on the table (right).

The boutique itself was kept very minimal, but far from being boring or cold, items were suspended from simple racks like works of art. The first obvious pieces were those already visible from the outside: thigh-high patterned tights and socks plus a few bags hung from a steel bar at the window. A few minutes after entering the store, a guy came in to purchase one of the floral socks.... I'll just assume they're a gift for a female companion or relative. Towards the other end of the store, where most of the women's range was on display, more items floated from the ceiling, surrounded by a few mannequins sporting this season's looks. The beautiful black chiffon dress featuring turquoise ruffles was an eye-catcher, as were the cropped jackets in cream or black.

More mannequins and floating cropped jackets.

Shoes in a row and details of a ruffled dress (left), cute prints on scarves (middle) and a few brocade skirts (right).

If you love your shoes though, you'll soon notice plenty of them, aligned in a row under each of the three racks of women's clothes. A few of the famous clogs could be found on the tables near the front. In addition to the draped floaty dresses, luxurious wool coats and brocade skirts, all of which were very wearable but never boring, I also spotted the quirkier more charming items, including the scarves or capes featuring cute Nordic prints such as snowflakes and reindeer. Another must-have accessory was the rhino handbag, which would probably go really well with the matching rhino statement necklace in the glass case near the cash desk. If you're not into rhinos some of the other jewelry items featured other animals, whether it was a giraffe or a a cat. Silver pieces were also available courtesy of the Japanese label Atomic Number 47.

View of the spacious back area of the store (left) and the ultimate statement piece... the rhino purse (right).

View of the store and the cash desk area from the back. That's the guy who purchased the patterned socks by the way (left). Some of the items on display in the cash desk, incl. a giraffe brooch and other jewelry (right).

The back area showcased the menswear range which included both Sarén's own designs and a small selection of pieces by French-Peruvian fair trade label, Misericordia. Again, some of the more rustic prints were featured on the cardigans and other knitwear, but there was also a huge range of classic coats, shirts and trousers, all with special details, whether it was the asymmetrical cut, colorful seams or a finshing of pearlized paint for that extra sheen. The festive season was highlighted by a cute toy penguin sitting in the middle of the room.

Menswear, bags and belts in the back area.

One of the biggest attractions however was the vintage selection at the other end. Sarén recently launched a project that allowed consumers, who had previously acquired one of her items they no longer needed, to return them to her. She would then rework the piece which would be sold to the general public. Examples include a damaged black dress which is now a ruffled blouse, a yellow clutch that was transformed into a tote with a clear plastic handle, transparent trousers that have been reworked to include silk black boxers as a lining and a distressed cream jacket which was given a new life as a sleek corset. A comprehensive diary of every vintage project is available on the official homepage if you want to know more about the background and construction of each piece. There were also a few more lovely items such as the gorgeous silk dresses which possibly belong to the bespoke line that was recently launched as well.

A penguin surrounded by bags (left) and overview of the other side of the store featuring the vintage items (right).

Some of the vintage items for sale (left) and beautiful silk dresses - not sure from which collection.

I didn't pay much attention to the spacious changing rooms, until I realized that their curtains looked a bit odd. It seems these were adorned with some of the vintage items as well, though I'm not entirely sure if these are actually for sale. Nevertheless, it was an interesting touch.

At first glance this looked like a pieced together curtain, but it actually consists of garments such as skirts and blouses.

If you're a fan of the label or just looking for something more unique, then this is the place to be. The store is welcoming despite its modernity and the sales person I met turned out to be Sarén's husband himself, making the experience all the more homey. Seeing as how the pieces are everything from quirky and fun to cool, edgy and beautiful, there's probably something to suit every taste. Unfortunately I'm not sure how readily available these items are outside Finland, as I couldn't find any stockists information on the homepage. But I've been told that select retailers worldwide do carry the brand, so keep your eyes peeled. If anything though, this is one of the best excuses to visit Helsinki if you get the chance.

Some of the reworked clothes from the Vintage line. See the top left for examples of how some pieces looked before their makeover.

Address: Fredrikinkatu 45, 00100 Helsinki
Opening Hrs: Mon-Fri: 11:00-18:00, Sat: 11:00-15:00
Hanna Sarén Homepage