Design Shopping Guide - Helsinki — Tuljak! Travel Blog

For me, visiting a Nordic capital entails some serious shopping opportunities. As a man with little or no concept of fashion trends, my shopping is almost exclusively centered on home furnishing or arts. While I enjoy many boutique design stores in Copenhagen, Helsinki is the design capital of Europe in my book. Finnish design occupies a unique position in the larger realm of Scandinavian design. Compared to the restrained modernism of Danish design, Finns have a knack for incorporating elements of nature into modernist design. And unlike the conservative color palettes favored in other Nordic capitals, Helsinki certainly does not shy away from colors and bright patterns.

A design map of Helsinki at Design Museum Helsinki.

Though Finnish designers may not enjoy the international fame as their French or Italian counterparts, I would argue that Finland’s impacts on the global stage run deep. Known for their pragmatist approach, the works of Finnish designers are frequently subjected to “copy” or “adaptions” by the Swedish furnishing giant IKEA. Many of IKEA’s best-selling items, such as the Frosta stool and Poäng chair, resemble Alvar Aalto’s iconic design (Stool 60 and Armchair 42, respectively). Chances are you own a little piece of Finland back home, albeit via the charm and quality of IKEA.

What I love about design shopping in Helsinki is how functional many design classics are. Many of these designs have been in production since the 1960s and somehow still remain as stylish and functional today. Commonly, many classic design pieces are passed down from one generation to another. Here are just some of my favorites:

Marimekko

Marimekko is arguably one of the best-recognized Finnish brands internationally. Marimekko, or Mary's Dress in Finnish, was founded by Armi Ratia in 1951 during austerity in post-war Finland. Its bright and cheerful fabric patterns shocked and thrilled the otherwise reserved Finns. What set Marimekko apart from other fashion houses is that it was a company run by women for women. Not only is their fashion a symbol of gender liberation, but women still occupy all major roles in Marimekko’s design and business operations.

Even though I have no sense of fashion, the spirit of Marimekko is so easy to fall in love with. Beyond women’s fashion, Marimekko also has products ranging from home textiles to glassware. I am particularly fond of Marimekko’s Oiva ceramic collection. Designed in 2008 by Sami Ruotsalainen, these handsome tableware are just the perfect canvas for Marimekko’s signature print patterns. With each season, a new edition of Oiva tableware was released. It was a great way to build up your collection gradually.

Although there are about half a dozen Marimekko stores across Helsinki, the outlet store in suburban Herttoniemi is the best place to shop. The outlet store shares the same building as Marimekko’s headquarters. This outlet offers rare-edition merchandise, and you could also enjoy an affordable lunch at Marimekko’s own cafeteria. Of course, everything is served on their own Oiva plates and bowls.

Iittala

Known for its color glass production, Iittala embodies some of the best Finnish design. The company maintains enduring relationships with many of Finland’s most admired glass artists, such as Tapio Wirkkala and Oiva Toikka. But without a doubt, Iittala’s most iconic product was the 1937 glass vase by Alvar Aalto. Supposedly inspired by the traditional dress of Sami women, the vase combines the simplicity of modern design with sensuous curves. In the era of globalization and outsourcing, each Aalto vase is still hand-made in the Finnish town of Iittala, and each is one of a kind.

Beyond glassware, Iittala continues producing works of Finnish modernist designers like Timo Sarpaneva. But my favorite got to be the Teema tableware by Kaj Franck. They are elegant, versatile, and highly durable. I bought a whole set of these dishes as our daily tableware and believe these will be the last china I would ever own. If you have more than a few days in Helsinki, a visit to their outlet store in the District of Arabia is a must.

Artek

Speaking of Alvar Aalto, the famed Finnish architect co-founded a design brand with his wife, Aino, and designers Nils-Gustav Hahl and Maire Gullichsen. If Iittala is the guardian of Finnish modern glassworks, Artek is the custodian of Finnish woodworking. Artek's pride and joy is the Aalto collection of birch wood furniture. Not coincidentally, it is the furniture line that IKEA copied the most. Here is a great article about the difference between the original and the Swedish imitation.

Artek’s design philosophy is design through technical expertise in producing quality materials instead of historical-based, eclectic, or frivolous ornamentation. Besides Alvar Aalto’s furniture, Artek also carries noted design works by other Finnish designers like Eero Aarnio and Ilmari Tapiovaara. Even though Artek has a relatively small physical presence in Helsinki, its flagship store, across from the Stockmann Department Store, is beautiful. During our visit, we saw their special FIN/JPN Frenship Collection, which celebrates the 100th year of the diplomatic relationship between Japan and Finland.

Aarikka

Among all the noted Finnish design brands, Aaarikka got my vote as the most eccentric. What put the brand on the map is its signature wooden beads; everything they do revolves around them. The brand came with a great story. Founder Kaija Aarikka was a fashion design student back in the 1950s. For her diploma project, she received great praise for her carved wooden buttons instead of the actual dress. Eventually, she founded a design business that focused on jewelry and accessories.

Again, since I have no interest in jewelry or accessories, I had little interest in Aaarikka except for their wonderful mini-sculptures. In particular, I am particularly in love with their Pohjanpässi ram figurines, which, of course, feature Aaarikka’s signature wooden beads. The ram, a symbol of Finnish perseverance, has been a design classic and still remains beautiful and timeless after nearly fifty years. Though pricey, it is still one of my favorite souvenirs I have ever acquired to date.

Aarikka’s collections of wooden elf figurines are also great souvenirs for those who wish to spend less than a couple hundred euros. These elves (haltija) are emblematic of Finnish belief in nature or spirits. Best of all, unlike most souvenirs, just about everything Aarikka figurines are handmade in Finland. Make sure you visit their flagship store, conveniently located in Esplanade!

Salakauppa of COMPANY Design Studio

I first encountered COMPANY Design Studio through a special exhibition at Design Museum Helsinki: Secret Universe. The studio was established in 2000 by a Korean-Finnish duo, Aamu Song and Johan Ollin. The pair traveled worldwide to meet traditional craftsmen and explore local folklore. Through a series of “The Secret of XYZ,” the studio produces a wide range of design objects inspired by their travel. These ‘secret’ objects range from functional to absurdly ornamental from Japan to Mexico. But one constant thing was a sense of humor and authenticity.

COMPANY’s product collaborations with Artek on Display as part of the exhibit at Design Museum Helsinki.

COMPANY’s works are available in many design shops across the city (including Artek). However, they also have their Salakauppa (Secret Shop) set up on the sidewalk next to the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma. The small pavilion is somewhat of a cabinet of curiosity. It is the most interesting shopping experience in Helsinki.

Arabia

With Iittala being the leader of Finnish glassware, the brand Arabia is the undisputed vanguard of Finnish ceramic and tableware. For over 140 years, Arabia’s tableware has been known for the functionality and durability of its tableware and kitchenware. Just about every Finnish home has Arabian dishware. In a 2006 public survey, Arabia was regarded as the most trusted brand in Finland.

Founded by Rörstrand, a Swedish porcelain manufacturer, Arabia got its name from the residential district where the factory was set up. Throughout the century, the brand employed many leading Finnish designers, such as Ulla Procopé, Birger Kaipiainen, Esteri Tomula, and Kaj Franck. Since 2007, Arabia (and its sister brand Iittala) has been sold to Fiskars Group, and they now share the same retail outlet and outlet spaces. And for many tourists, especially Japanese ones, the main draw of Arabia is their special Moomins collection.

Lokal Helsinki

The half-gallery and half-concept retail store Lokal Helsinki is a creation by photographer Katja Hagelstam in 2012. This small gallery store is located in Helsinki’s thriving Design District and could initially seem quite foreboding. But once inside, it is a delightful space. The gallery/store features emerging Finnish artists and master craftsmen like Saija Halko and Antrei Hartikainen. As a concept store, every artwork and object is for sale, with the cost ranging anywhere from €20 to the thousands. The highly curated collection is thematic and changes with seasons. Since 2018, Lokal Helsinki has launched its own online store and now ships worldwide.

And More…

Of course, I could only list about half a dozen design shops here. The city of Helsinki has established a so-called Design District, which covers the districts of Punavuori, Kaartinkaupunki, Kamppi, and Ullanlinna. The district. More than a hundred boutique design shops were mapped out in the official Design District Map. But the best stop for any design lovers is a visit to Design Museum Helsinki. The museum’s permanent exhibits give you a brief chronological overview of Finnish design.

Many design houses, like Marimekko, Iittala, and Aarikka, are properly introduced. For many like ourselves, visitors will likely be surprised that they might already own one of the most successful Finnish designs ever created: the orange-colored Fiskars Scissors. You would be surprised how many items are displayed and still in production today.

Most brands have online distribution channels to demonstrate the popularity of Finnish design. The best is probably the Turku-based Finnish Design Shop, where I have ordered many items. I have always been quite amazed at just how comprehensive their inventory is. So, if you run out of room in your luggage, check their website to see whether you can order them online and ship them home directly.

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Design Shopping Guide - Helsinki