Fashion designer Paola Suhonen returns to Paris Fashion Week with her new Koli X Ivana Helsinki collection.
Paola Suhonen returns to the stage after a long silence. Ivana Helsinki, owned by Suhonen, will unexpectedly be seen after a five-year hiatus at Paris Fashion Weeks in September. At that time, the Koli-themed large-scale photographs taken with antique technology, shot by the artist Paola Suhonen, served as the background scenery for Ivana Helsinki’s 25th anniversary show.
“Combining design that draws from Finnish nature and Scandinavian clarity and the ancient Finnish national landscape was a great insight from the artist Paola Suhose. The decision to cooperate came easily. We get wide visibility not only on the catwalk of Paris Fashion Weeks but also in the materials of invited guests and international media”, CEO of Kolin Matkailu Tiina Kanninen states.
The artistic director of Ivana Helsinki, Paola Suhonen, has made films, designed interior products, fire extinguishers and her most famous designs are the tent design and the pole flower sold at Tokmanni. Jenni Gästgivar
Suhonen stays away from social media
Paola Suhonen shuddered in March 2022 when she told Yle in an interview that she considers social media influencers to be unprofessional. Suhonen also deleted Ivana Helsingin’s social accounts.
Suhonen’s antipathy towards social media was already strong in 2021.
– I don’t understand how so many people can be inspired and interested by a video in which an influencer makes coffee, Suhonen told Gloria in an interview.
Paola Suhonen and Ivana Helsinki were the first Finnish fashion brand to be seen at the 2008 Paris Fashion Week. Ivana Helsinki was also the first Finnish fashion brand to appear at the New York Fashion Week in 2010.
Ivana Helsinki’s studio operates in Marjaniemi. OUTI LAKE
After the commotion, Paola Suhonen found new inspiration from Finland’s national landscapes.
“What else could it be than Koli, the place where the roots of Finnishness rest. Here you can find the northern mental landscape that I want to bring out in the outfits I create: the beauty of nature, strength, cinematic drama and a touch of gloom. The steep cliffs, the wonderful Pielinen, the rugged beautiful landscape – Koli is unique,” says Paola Suhonen
Suhonen Koli’s national landscapes photographed with wet plate technology will be seen as background images for the show at Paris Fashion Weeks. Ivana Helsinki
Paola Suhonen, who still avoids social media, wants to invest in responsibility.
– Only 50 numbered pieces of each of the collection’s 30 outfits will be produced. At the Paris show, 50 models step in front of the amazing Koli scenery to present each outfit. After the show, the outfits will go on sale, says Suhonen.