The Brown Dress

Another favourite of mine. In 2008, I was travelling in East Europe and found a lovely brown dress (probably made in Thailand) from Zagreb, Croatia. Immediately it became one of my favourite dresses, (looks like I only have favourite dresses). 

I was still using it in the end of 2011 even though it was looking quite worn. Around that time Brown told me in a  polite way, that maybe, just maybe, I should get a new one, by giving me two yards of plain brown fabric. I tried to explain that it is not going to look and feel the same, but eventually I agreed. 

The new dress was almost the same, but I was not able to get it on because it was lacking a zipper (just like the original one, but made of different fabric). So, it took another year that I was actually able to use it. (Well, it is a long story, but first I travelled to Finland, then to Kenia and when returning to Ghana I was told by three different taylors that it cannot be fixed. Finally a forth taylor, Rosina, promised to do it.)

So now again, I have a simple brown dress (with compicated story) to wear.

Fabric: Da Viva, plain brown


Taylor (the one who fix it): Rosina / Cape Coast, Ghana 

Location: Stormi, Finland 



 

P.S. And for those getting tired of my face: I am also tired of it, looking forward going back to Ghana and start snapping other people!

My favourite long GTP dress

Me Beautiful

Beautiful, You

This is definitely one of my all time favourite dresses, because it is so simple, light and easy to wear. It doesn't even have a zipper at all, a provement that a person who made it is a very very talented and experienced taylor. Just loving it! 

Fabric: GTP
Desinger: Maame Esi
Taylor: Madame Grace / Cape Coast, Ghana
Sandals: Kejetia Market, Kumasi, Ghana 
Location: Detached factory in Pispala in Tampere, Finland 

All the pictures are taking by my old roommate and a very dear friend Laura Ollila. Greetings to Mumbai, hoping to see you soon! 

More pictures and a story of three beautiful roommates and their super cool flat (called the slum) can be found here (in Finnish).

The DV Combination Dress

Brown designed this dress for me. When I saw his sketch and the leftover fabrics he planned to use, I had plenty doubts in my mind, ("Seriously, how can you combine this colorful print with ash?"), but was very pleased when I saw the ready made dress. I guess, sometimes you need to take risks to create something unique.    

Fabrics: Da Viva 
Designer: Mr Brown
Taylor: Rosina / Cape Coast, Ghana
Location: Stormi, Finland

Matching earrings are a gift from my mother. She bought them from Työväenasuntomuseo, and they are made by Annan Paja. 

The DV Sheath

I sold this precious dress, and I guess this is my way to say goodbye to it. Pictures are taking by my dear little sister Iines. 

Fabric: Da Viva
Designer: Maame Esi
Taylor: Linda / Cape Coast, Ghana
Location: Stormi, Finland

The DV BW Dress

 ... with black stockings to keep me warm. 

This is my first ever machine washed DV fabric. Still looking brand new, even without ironing. 

Fabric: DV Expression 

Design: Inspired by my old Vila dress

Taylor: Dorin from Winneba, Ghana

Location: Nurmijärvi, Finland