The six months of the world’s biggest public event ever is over. The beginning in May was hectic and everything was new. The end in October was even more hectic, but we were all six months wiser. I lift my hat to all those who managed to build a temporary exhibition like it would last forever. I’m very proud of my fellow Finns and Chinese friends, who have worked so hard and have done such a wonderful job. Each guide deserves a metal for the good they did for Finland and Helsinki, as do event co-ordinators,  communications specialists, kitchen staff, waiters.. Everyone is a part of a network that made the Finnish Pavilion a success, not only architecturally (thank you JKMM) but functionally.

But an equally warm thank you goes to Shanghai for hosting such a magnificent event. Can’t think of many other cities who could have pulled it off. And while sometimes getting things done took some extra effort, everything worked out in the end.

So here’s a heart felt thank you to everyone who participated in World Expo 2010 Shanghai. Hope to see you all in Helsinki in 2012 for the World Design Capital festivities and events. I think it will be worth your while to come on over and see what it’s all about.

The ICOM Pavilion is a pavilion that explores the interdependence and interaction between museums and the city – in culture, society, economy, innovation and environment.  Brazilian guitarist and singer Chico Lobo played at the Internation Council of Museums (ICOM) Pavilion, using traditional brazilian instruments.  The pavilion serves both as an exhibition and an activity venue.

Today was basically my last full day in Helsinki, so I wanted to take it easy and have fun wandering around.  Planned to visit Goodies recommended by a friend, but I was there too early, so I just started to explore this interesting block.  Suddenly I was strongly attracted by a window and I just “broke in” which obviously surprised the shop owner, because they were still in preparation.  But the designer was so cute and nice and kindly started to introduce his design to this stranger who claim to be interested in fashion.  His designs were very dramatic but super gorgeous at the same time, the new collection showing strong respect to our beloved Alexander Mcqueen.  The designer was Mert Otsamo who came in 3^rd in Finnish <Project Runway>.  The shop will open in September, so stylish people in town, you know where to go!

Then Viivi took me to Tiia Vanhatapio’s shop, who is a very successful fashion designer who’s already made it to New York.  Her design emphasized on cutting and silhouette, the style being very feminine and a bit retro.  And you can totally tell the brand’s aesthetics from the designer, who’s sweet and cool, just like a pin-up girl walking out of a poster.  And Viivi even found the perfect outfit for Alvar Aalto Design Seminar’s opening that night!  Then we visited Minna Parikka’s shop, a shoe shop!!!  A lot of cute and interesting shoes!!  And the silk scarf from their new collection was gorgeous, can be a must-buy.

It was the opening for Alvar Aalto Design Seminar which was held in Design Museum, I can’t wait for the seminar in Jyväskyla!

Today I went on a trip to Fiskars, the creative community which gathers artists and designers from different countries.  The weather was perfect for travelling, sunny and cool, which made the train and bus trip into a joyful tour in Finnish countryside.  When I arrived, my guide Lasse was already there waiting.  He’s the shop manager of ONOMA shop in Fiskars and very nice guy who knows everything.  He showed me around the exhibition in Fiskars shop telling the history of how Fiskars transformed from a scissors manufacturing village into an active art community.  Then he let me explore by myself.

Fiskars was such a peaceful and beautiful place with shops, studios and workshops surrounded by nice landscape.  I visited two exhibitions, one was all about wood and the other was an exhibition of most of the local artists and designers.  I love the venue of the second exhibition, it was an old granary and the space was super interesting, I even wanted to building an exhibition there.

Before I came to Fiskars, some friends told me that I need to make sure there is enough credit on my credit card.  Well, that’s very advice.  After Lasse introduced me stories behind some of the pieces, I wanted to buy ALL of them.  There was one pieces really touched me, it was called “wish box”, a small ceramic round box, beautifully colored, it said that you can write your wish on a piece of paper and burn the paper in the box, then keep the ash in it till your wish come true.  I think I already know what I want to wish for.

During my stay in Helsinki I kept meeting cool people. One of the coolest ones was probably Tinttu Henttonen.  I was really honored to be invited to her home/studio for lunch.  Her studio/balcony was like this wonderland of arts and vintage, filled with, according to her words, “beautiful, useless but very important things”.  She cooked us delicious traditional lunch, and we had very inspiring conversation about her arts, her life and culture.  She’s such a great lady with very big passion and with guts as well, but at the same time, so pure and simple. I’m totally in love with her.

After lunch, probably influenced by Tinttu, I decided to hit some vintage shops in town.  Went to Penny Lane and Play It Again Sam, both gorgeous and owned by super elegant ladies.  The greatest fun in buying vintage is process of searching and falling in love with THE piece at the first sight, we Chinese call it “Yuan fen”, which more or less means “meant to be”. Well, I fell in love with this Moschino vintage dress and together with the dress, we live happily even after.

Then I went to this furniture design firm and also shop, Vivero.  They collect nice pieces from young designers and promote them.  The space was not too big but full of great designs.

According to my well-planned schedule, I went to JKMM Architecture and Muotohiomo Design afterwards.  They respectively did the architecture and exhibition design for Finnish Pavilion in Shanghai EXPO.  Both had nice studio and interesting people.  Hope I can have the chance to work with these great people someday.

Today was totally a day to be IN style, I visited the shops of two very talented Finnish young designers, Antti Asplund and IVANAhelsinki.  Everyone told me that I can’t miss these two designers.

I fell in love with Antti Asplund’s shop at the first sight, black and white, a bit of dark style.  He started his own brand three years ago and he’s a lover of funeral aesthetics, but he had these colorful and funny collections with strong statement as well.  He always has this drama in his design, but in a sensitive and innocent way, just like the designer himself, very adorable.  And I got one of the designer’s signature accessory, the cross necklace, and red limited edition!! Totally my cup of tea.

Different from Antti’s dramatic intension, the new collection of IVANAhelsinki is quite cheerful, you can easily find the Finnish elements in it, the nature, animal print and vivid colors, just like a fairy tale.  And designer of IVANAhelsinki, Paola Suhonen is this very artistic lady gets her hands on different areas and doing very well in all of them.  And she’s also the first Finnish designer got into Paris and New York fashion week.  She does photo shoot and makes a movie for every collection and show it in the basement of her shop, which is very much a joy to watch and can get to know the story behind.

And of course, I did my first decent shopping in Helsinki from this super cool boutique called MY OH MY, it was gorgeous Helmut Lang silk top, well, women need to spoil themselves sometimes.

Hardly waken from the Flow yesterday, I’m went on a guided tour of design district in Helsinki today.  My guide is Mia, a very professional architect and also an “insider” who knows these secret little places hidden in the city.  I got to know a lot about the design history of Finland and also what’s going on now.  Well, I think one picture worth a thousand words.

It was a very sunny day and we went for some raspberry in the morning.  But apparently someone came earlier and there was not much left…the walk in the forest was refreshing though.  Then we went on a boating trip on the lake, I think I managed pretty well.  Anni said that I had passed the tests to be a Finn, haha.

Then we drove back to Helsinki and I had this huge and tasty pulla in Esplanad café as our lunch.

And then came my surprise program—Flow Festival!  My first time being in this kind of festival in Europe, excited!  On the way there, I was surrounded by stylish people, all good to be on lookbook.  As it was getting darker, people were getting higher, dancing and partying.  I got home around 2, still hearing the music.  Well, seems like I still need to be more Finnish.

If you let a Finn name one thing you HAVE to do in the summer, it must be going to the summer cottage.  Of course I can’t miss this.

So Anni, Claudia and I decided to have a girls’ night in Anni’s cottage.  After two hours’ drive on the highway and through the forest, we finally got to this amazing little house.  Everything was so beautifully together, the cozy interior, the gorgeous lake view and the perfect weather.  Well, no wonder Finnish people don’t go out for summer holidays, they don’t have to, seriously. We sat on the terrace to enjoy the beautiful sunset on the lake with smell of the forest, I felt so peaceful deep inside.  Yeah, and of course my first sauna afterwards, super cool!

Then we had a girls’ candle light dinner, talked, my body was a bit tired but I felt so relaxed in my mind.