Blog
Art of Andiata
Oct
Art of Andiata AW 2018 campaign tells a story of female leaders in the art field.
Suvi Saloniemi (Design Museum Helsinki), Maria Didrichsen (Didrichsen Art Museum), Minerva Keltanen (National Museum of Finland), and Kiira Miesmaa (Helsingin Taidehalli) chose their favourite outfits from our AW18 collection. These four women are powerful, educated, passionate, and elegant art specialists. They are the true reflections of everything that Andiata represents.
Suvi Saloniemi, The Chief Curator of Design Museum Helsinki.
Tell us a little bit about your background. What made you interested in art and how did you end up having a career in the art field?
I have been fascinated by visual culture since I can remember. One powerful inspiration has been my godmother with her passion towards visual arts and crafts in the context of Russian Orthodox and Eastern Finnish traditions. I think it was mainly because of her, that I learned to express myself through art. At the age of 10, my path led to a children’s art school and later to study art history at university. It was always somehow obvious to me that I would work within the arts. My studies in art history kind of steered me gently towards working with exhibitions and curating.
How do you view the importance of fashion in the art field?
I see art being an elemental part of fashion. To my understanding, fashion is about artistic and creative expression – both for the fashion designer as a creator and for the user, to whom it is about self-expression and communication.
What is your philosophy when it comes to dressing yourself?
Simple, simple and simple.
What made you choose the outfit that was used in Art of Andiata -campaign? What did you particularly like in the chosen outfit?
I tend to only wear navy, white or black. This shoot offered an opportunity to test my limits and go for something unusual. It felt liberating to choose a coat with the color’s beige, yellow and gold. The creative color combination goes well with the conservative uniform cut.
Minerva Keltanen, Head of Exhibitions of National Museum of Finland
Tell us a little bit about your background. What made you interested in art and how did you end up having a career in the art field?
When I was a child, I loved to draw and paint, and my dream was to become an animation illustrator for Disney. During my teenage years, I spent my time oil painting and I dreamed about being a visual artist or a fashion designer. Eventually I applied to study art history and archaeology at the University of Helsinki and the thought of being an artist was forgotten.
How do you view the importance of fashion in art?
At its best, fashion is wearable art. Fashion designers gain inspiration from art and likewise, art can gain inspiration from fashion.
What is your philosophy when it comes to dressing yourself?
I always choose my outfit based on my mood and the occasion. I never get bored with black, yet I favor strong and restrained colors as well. The most important thing is that the clothes fit perfectly, and you feel comfortable while wearing them.
What made you choose the outfit that was used in Art of Andiata -campaign? What did you particularly like in the chosen outfit?
I fell in love with the outfit I chose, as it is classic and elegant. The fur on the coat gives a nice edge to an otherwise minimal outfit. I also love the exquisite and comfortable materials such as leather & cashmere, and the soft powder shades as well.
Maria Didrichsen, the Chief Curator/Secretary of the Board of Didrichesen Art Museum
Tell us a little bit about your background. What made you interested in art and how did you end up having a career in the art field?
The very first exciting art experience of mine occurred in the 1970’s, when my mother took me to see Reidar Särestöniemi´s exhibition at the Didrichsen Art Museum. The exhibition was very popular, and it was my (then future) parents-in law who brought Särestöniemi ́s paintings to Helsinki and made him and his art celebrated. A few years later, I spent my exchange year in Los Angeles (1975-76) and one of my subjects was art history. The professor was very inspirational, and I fell in love with art and especially with impressionism. Afterwards, I studied at Hanken School of Economics where I met my husband Peter Didrichsen – so…after many different turns of events, I ended up having a career in the art field, but my business education of mine has played a significant role in my current position.
How do you view the importance of fashion in art?
I believe that fashion designers and artists gain influences from similar themes and matters. Artists and fashion designers are cooperating a lot these days and both represent the spirit of the age. And one notable fact is that nowadays some fashion designers are creating such magnificent works that they are starting to remind technically and visually pieces of art.
What is your philosophy when it comes to dressing yourself?
I like timeless and monochromatic clothing. Elegance and fit are important features and although, I am into timeless pieces, there needs to be something special in every piece of clothing. If I am attending a more formal event, I always wear a dress.
What made you choose the outfit that was used in Art of Andiata -campaign? What did you particularly like in the chosen outfit?
The outfit was such a dream! The form and material of the skirt are exquisite and the whole outfit is a true reflection of classical elegance.
Kiira Miesmaa, Senior Curator of Helsingin Taidehalli
Tell us a little bit about your background. What made you interested in art and how did you end up having a career in the art field?
I was born with it. An interest in visual art has always been present in my life. My childhood passion led me to study art history at the University of Turku. I have been working with contemporary art for ten years in a variety of settings – art museums, a gallery and now at Helsingin Taidehalli.
How do you view the importance of fashion in art?
Fashion is art. It is a language, like art is a language. It is a way to express yourself, like art is as well.
What is your philosophy when it comes to dressing yourself?
Quality and practicality. I like to keep it simple, because I need to feel flexible in multiple roles. Dressing should not keep me from doing anything; picking up a drill, visiting a studio or giving a presentation. Three clothing items that I need the most at my work are sneakers, a black dress and white gloves. Not necessarily all three at once. I am also minimalistic; I don’t like mixing many colors.
What made you choose the outfit that was used in Art of Andiata -campaign? What did you particularly like in the chosen outfit?
It felt most like me: an outfit I could wear with confidence and feel at ease. The cashmere polo sweater is exquisitely soft and comforting for someone like me who is not a winter person.
