#437

Hello! 7 months or so has passed and last time writing I had completely other projects in mind (they are still there, storing them for later) and I was completely clueless about the little boy growing inside my belly. He should join us by the end of the summer, and meanwhile alongside all the preparations that comes with it – it meaning a new life – I’ve been trying to fill the summer with my favorite things; galleries, travel and vintage sourcing.

As traveling by plane was off the question, we decided to spend our last vacation just us two at the french Riviera and finally stay at La Colombe d’Or. It has been my dream destination ever since I saw the first photos of the Calder sculpture by the swimming pool. No worries, I have plenty of photos to share. I’ve also found a new favorite gallery in Paris that I can warmly recommend; Galerie Eric Philippe at the 1st arrondissement. Eric has an impressive collection of Paavo Tynell lamps and beautiful scandinavian tapestry, something we don’t see elsewhere in Paris. And last but not least; MIES is still up and running! I’ve been preparing for fall and collecting a small stock of new items that I can hopefully continue to add to the store even I’ll be occupied by the little one. I’ll try my best!

#436

Pullover By Malene Birger
Leather pant Hermès by Martin Margiela

Hi All! Will this be my return to blogging? I can’t promise, but I do like the freedom this platform gives for me. If only I had time to execute all my ideas. Speaking of, MIES is doing great and new items are coming (almost) weekly. I get truly fascinated with every item being so modern even after 20 years or more, like these leather pants from Martin Margiela’s first collection for Hermès in 1998, look 25 to be specific. I wouldn’t know where to find anything like this nowadays.

Secondly, I suggest all of you to follow me on instagram for my Artclub launch in the following weeks. I’ve been dreaming of transferring the idea of a book club into art and culture, and gathering a community of likeminded people together to discuss about an exhibition of the month over a glass of wine. Without previous knowledge required and without judgement.

#435

Le Monde d’Hermès SS1999 via MIES

@raquel_zimmermann

Fransworth house by Mies van der Rohe

Toteme.com

Bin Zhu wearing Hermès by Margiela, shot by Yahui Wang for MIES

MONTHLY MOODBOARD – Spring hasn’t been very gentle for us in Paris; not only the country has been shut down past six months, but the weather doesn’t seem to get warmer either. My ideal trans-seasonal wardrobe includes some facile Hermès by Margiela pieces to layer, but in reality I’m running around one week straight with same old vintage Levi’s and whatever cashmere sweater that goes with. Good news is, my stock is filling up again with those chic Hermès by Margiela pieces but they just aren’t for me to keep (unfortunately) – they’ll be available at MIES soon. If only I manage to let them go!

#434

Past months I went through my old photos more often than ever before, but I guess I’m not alone. While museums and galleries remain closed, I’m craving culture and writing never ending lists of places to visit post-confinement. This photo has been taken at the Communist Party Headquarters in Paris, a beautiful brutalist architectural gem designed by Oscar Niemeyer.

Meanwhile, I’m collecting all these photos to MIES newsletters. You can subscribe here.

#433

Dries van Noten light wool coat / MIES

I’m very excited to share the results of our latest photoshoot for MIES. My dear friend and former colleague Bin Zhu was modelling for us, while Yahui Wang – face of our previous photoshoot – was this time behind the camera.

#432

@castorfleuriste
Rick Amor; Still life (shirt), 2008 
Jil Sander AW2021
Jean Prouvé & Jacques André, 1937
Rick Amor; Still life (shirt), 2008 

Lately I’m very into yellow. Mustard yellow to be specific. Everything seems to be very black/white/beige at the moment, my mind is constantly seeking for more colors.

This is ( a part of) the moodboard I did when I planned the spring selections for MIES. I’ll be always focusing on coats, but I wanted to experiment a bit with couple new limited categories. The shirt selection is already online, and in couple of weeks we are launching a Hermès by Margiela selection, something that has been on my mind for a really long time. And of course there will be some spring coats as well.

#431

A while back my friend Hanna interviewed me for her Chic Ladies series (very honored when looking at the company I am in!). I highly suggest taking a look into the series, and you’ll find my interview here.

#430

Sweater Filippa K

Skirt Hermès by Martin Margiela

Like you all know at this point, I’m a huge fan of Hermès pieces designed by Martin Margiela and this skirt is no exception. Even after 20 years it’s in impeccable condition, and the design still feels very modern. Instead of logos, only the six-hole buttons shaping the thread into an almost invisible “H” revealing the origin, is something I really value as I always prefer my clothing to remain discreet.

#429

The Row fall/winter 2018

me / aventurine, quartz, tourmaline

Giorgio di Chirico – The Double Dream of Spring, 1915

Hermès fall/winter 1998

Le Corbusier – Bronze Maquette for ‘Open Hand’ Sculpture, 1960

In Paris we are once again in lockdown, which doesn’t raise the hopes for this pandemic being over soon. However, I’ll try to use this period again to be more creative, something I’ve been missing a lot in my daily life. And I think this is a great moment to open up my mental landscape a bit.

Right before the first quarantine a friend of mine gave me a clear crystal to support my meditation, and most importantly to find the meditative mindset at any moment during the day, which got me researching more about lithotherapy. I’m not yet able to express my thoughts about it, but I definitely catch myself being around the subject quite often. There’s something similar on how I perceive crystals and the way I look at art; I try to understand everything in the rational level but then at the end it’s up to us to give meanings to what we see and what we experience. I don’t know if it makes sense, maybe I’ll get to the subject later. Anyway, anything that can help us to regain focus, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state is something to hold on to during these weird times.

And I must take my words back when I said fashion doesn’t inspire me anymore. It does, I just got too numb constantly looking at all the beige instagram accounts, all looking the same. I got my hands on some vintage Le Monde d’Hermès magazines from Margiela era – my favorite collections in fashion that ever exist – and while going through them I constantly got goosebumps. The coats he designed for Hermès are one of the reason why I ended up founding MIES. The magazines will be online soon, if I’m ever able to let go of them – the most difficult part of sourcing vintage, but I’ll surely share some of my favorite pages here.

#428

National Pensions Institute in Helsinki, designed by Alvar Aalto, 1956.

I started a new newsletter series for MIES called Remote Tours. The articles are available only for subscribers, you can add yourself to the mailing list from here. In each newsletter I will present an exquisite building I’ve had the chance to visit over the years, as I hope to keep my audience inspired even during the pandemic.