Sanna Marini’s dress at Linna’s party this year is by Sari Hörkö.
Sanna Marin represented Linna at the party this year in a light outfit. Mikko Huisko
Prime minister Sanna Marin (sd.) arrived this year at Linna’s party in a spectacular light evening dress. Dressmaker Sari Hörkkö tells Iltalehte about the background of Marini’s suit.
Hörkkö says that Marin initially got to know his suits while looking for a suitable outfit for this year’s Independence Day reception at the Presidential Palace. Hörkkö has been sewing suits for Linnaa’s numerous well-known Finns for years.
– In the end, it happened that Marin liked a suit with a funny story. I believe that he also liked the story behind the suit, Hörkkö says.
A new old suit
The suit seen on Marin in the Linna has not previously been owned by anyone else, but it was sewn years ago. Hörkkö once ended up sewing a suit when his sewing shop moved to new premises on Tehtaankatu more than 15 years ago. At that time, it was necessary to have a striking outfit in the shop’s window.
– My intention was to make a suit that would be my work sample and business card for passers-by. The intention was that passers-by would appreciate it when they saw that it was a sewing shop with high quality of work, says Hörkkö.
The suit was in the shop window of Hörkö’s sewing shop for a long time.
– And since then, the suit has traveled on my journey. Before Independence Day, I happened to dig it out of my storage and Marin happened to like it, Hörkkö is happy.
– It’s wonderful that an old, unused suit can now come to life and be beautifully displayed after all these years, he continues.
Small edit
Marin was recently awarded the Finnish Grand Cross of the White Rose, and Prime Minister Linna’s dress had to be modified because of the badge.
– The badge of honor is worn on a ribbon, and wearing the ribbon has a rule that it must not rest against the skin. That’s why we added sleeves to the suit, and made it even more like Sanna.
When it became clear that the suit needs to be modified a bit before use, Hörkkö worried about where he would find suitable material to implement the additions to the suit. Miraculously, Hörkkö finally found in his warehouse just the right amount of the same fabric that the original suit was made of.
– It is special that I have unknowingly carried those pieces of fabric with me all these years.
And Hörkkö is very satisfied with the end result.
– A simple suit is a good carrier for a magnificent grand cross. I think the whole thing turned out great with the cross and ribbon.
Marin chose Kalevala earrings and bracelets to accompany her spectacular evening dress. Around Marin’s neck was a Lumoava necklace.
Easy customer
Dealing with Marin went well. Hörkkö was particularly pleased that the Prime Minister’s visits to the sewing room were not rushed.
– It was wonderful that he never seemed to be in a hurry, but he gave this matter the time it needed, and it was really nice to do business with him, Hörkkö sums up.
– In general, it is easy for a seamstress to do business with a customer when the customer says his wishes, thoughts and feelings out loud. Then the end result is always the customer’s best.
The moment of handing over the suit on the eve of Independence Day was also a warm encounter.
– He seemed really satisfied when the suit was handed over to him.