From a former shopaholic to a seasoned curator of antique treasures

My conversation with Tiia - Part 1

“In the fall of 1934, in the city of Viipuri in Finnish Karelia, Engineer Y. Pitkänen wakes up to a realization that he is in need of a morning suit. He strolls down to Karjalankatu, where several clothing stores are located alongside the artist-favored Hotel Knut Posse, and pops in to see V. Turtiainen, one of the city’s 30 tailors. …

In the summer of 2024, vintage enthusiast Tiia VM takes a roadtrip to the city of Salo in southwestern Finland. While browsing through racks and racks of clothes at a flea market, she comes across a thick wool suit that she mistakes for evening tails. She can tell that the fabric is old, but because menswear is not her specialty, she has trouble figuring out how old the suit is.”

Ooooh, I’ve been really looking forward to a conversation with the woman behind these absolutely mesmerizing and utterly captivating words.

So, please meet Tiia, a Helsinki-based vintage shop owner and sustainability advocate, who shares her life (and her walk-in closet) with her…