Kirsikka Simberg is a Helsinki-based stylist and writer and a creative powerhouse. She is the co-founder of digital lifestyle media Musla, a popular podcaster and one of Finland’s pioneering influencers. For Glasshouse Helsinki she is helping to curate the GH Aleksi and online store clothing collection. In our Q&A the biggest question for Kirsikka turned out to be the one about hope.
"No one will act unless there is hope. Hope is an ingredient in everything from every plan to activism and entrepreneurship!”
You have been curating Glasshouse Helsinki’s clothing selection for both GH Aleksi and GH online store. Describe the process, where did you start?
KS: “Mirkku Kullberg briefed me quite well but also gave me liberty and room for creativity. I started with a question: what does sustainability mean to me? I think a product has to be essential, something of use. The fact that a product is made of recycled materials is not enough, if it doesn’t serve a purpose. When it comes to clothing, sometimes when things are made with sustainability as a priority, the design becomes hyper-basic. And sometimes that’s really great, I can certainly recognise the importance of well made basics. In addition to those we wanted to find joyous things and sustainability that impresses. I spend a lot of time thinking about the criteria but some choices I made based on what I like myself. I hope others will, too!”
You are known as a very creative person and fluently work in multidisciplinary ways. What inspires you in these challenging times?
KS: “It is safe to say that there are some pretty distressing themes floating around in the news and social media right now. I recently came across a post in which someone marked that this time makes Instagram look like Twitter. It made me smile. The big questions we are facing right now are important, but for balance I tend to gravitate towards things that are lighter and make me laugh. Naturally, I spend a lot of time with my two kids and that is very refreshing! Kids have a hilarious energy, so good for the soul.”
Glasshouse Helsinki opens a concept store in the center of Helsinki and the founders support a lively city center. What are your favourite places or things about Helsinki?
KS: “The archipelago! Furthermore, I look forward to having a glass of wine with my friends on a picnic somewhere where the city meets nature.”
You have researched a wide range of brands for the Glasshouse Helsinki store and online. Is there a special approach to sustainability that is common with Finnish design brands?
KS: “Finnish design brands definitely are pioneers in sustainability. One reason is that the Finnish consumer demands sustainability and responsibility. This opens another conversation: hopefully the sustainable development will not rely only on customers’ demands. Companies need to act. Luckily Finnish design brands tend to be honest and strive for sustainability. But on the other hand, when a customer demands, the market usually responds.”
One of the themes of the Glasshouse Helsinki launch is hope. What does the word ‘hope’ mean to you?
KS: “This is a big question. In Finnish language the word ‘hope’, toivo, can be interpreted as something passive as in just hoping for something to happen. Yet I feel that the idea of hope has an active ingredient in its core. No one will act, unless there is hope. It is an ingredient in everything from every plan from activism to entrepreneurship! The introduction of a new shopping concept by Glasshouse Helsinki is connected to this idea of active hope. We can show the consumer what is possible and hopefully get more and more people involved and start thinking and acting differently.”
“Glasshouse Helsinki can create meaning through art and design. I firmly believe that design can help the change for better happen faster. These are the most important things to me.”
Interview: Kirsikka Simberg
Interview: Kirsikka Simberg
By Jani Niipola on April 3, 2021
Kirsikka Simberg is a Helsinki-based stylist and writer and a creative powerhouse. She is the co-founder of digital lifestyle media Musla, a popular podcaster and one of Finland’s pioneering influencers. For Glasshouse Helsinki she is helping to curate the GH Aleksi and online store clothing collection. In our Q&A the biggest question for Kirsikka turned out to be the one about hope.
"No one will act unless there is hope. Hope is an ingredient in everything from every plan to activism and entrepreneurship!”
You have been curating Glasshouse Helsinki’s clothing selection for both GH Aleksi and GH online store. Describe the process, where did you start?
KS: “Mirkku Kullberg briefed me quite well but also gave me liberty and room for creativity. I started with a question: what does sustainability mean to me? I think a product has to be essential, something of use. The fact that a product is made of recycled materials is not enough, if it doesn’t serve a purpose. When it comes to clothing, sometimes when things are made with sustainability as a priority, the design becomes hyper-basic. And sometimes that’s really great, I can certainly recognise the importance of well made basics. In addition to those we wanted to find joyous things and sustainability that impresses. I spend a lot of time thinking about the criteria but some choices I made based on what I like myself. I hope others will, too!”
You are known as a very creative person and fluently work in multidisciplinary ways. What inspires you in these challenging times?
KS: “It is safe to say that there are some pretty distressing themes floating around in the news and social media right now. I recently came across a post in which someone marked that this time makes Instagram look like Twitter. It made me smile. The big questions we are facing right now are important, but for balance I tend to gravitate towards things that are lighter and make me laugh. Naturally, I spend a lot of time with my two kids and that is very refreshing! Kids have a hilarious energy, so good for the soul.”
Glasshouse Helsinki opens a concept store in the center of Helsinki and the founders support a lively city center. What are your favourite places or things about Helsinki?
KS: “The archipelago! Furthermore, I look forward to having a glass of wine with my friends on a picnic somewhere where the city meets nature.”
You have researched a wide range of brands for the Glasshouse Helsinki store and online. Is there a special approach to sustainability that is common with Finnish design brands?
KS: “Finnish design brands definitely are pioneers in sustainability. One reason is that the Finnish consumer demands sustainability and responsibility. This opens another conversation: hopefully the sustainable development will not rely only on customers’ demands. Companies need to act. Luckily Finnish design brands tend to be honest and strive for sustainability. But on the other hand, when a customer demands, the market usually responds.”
One of the themes of the Glasshouse Helsinki launch is hope. What does the word ‘hope’ mean to you?
KS: “This is a big question. In Finnish language the word ‘hope’, toivo, can be interpreted as something passive as in just hoping for something to happen. Yet I feel that the idea of hope has an active ingredient in its core. No one will act, unless there is hope. It is an ingredient in everything from every plan from activism to entrepreneurship! The introduction of a new shopping concept by Glasshouse Helsinki is connected to this idea of active hope. We can show the consumer what is possible and hopefully get more and more people involved and start thinking and acting differently.”
Read more
Meet the team: Anna Vartiainen, CCO
“Glasshouse Helsinki can create meaning through art and design. I firmly believe that design can help the change for better happen faster. These are the most important things to me.”
MoreInterview: Tyler Brûlé
In the first-ever Glasshouse Helsinki Q&A Tyler Brûlé’s answers reveal a deep understanding of Finnish design and culture.
MoreInterview: Gabriella Sahlman
Gabriella Sahlman is the chairman of the board of Glasshouse Helsinki. In Glasshouse Helsinki’s Q&A she talks about her love of Nordic design.
MoreInterview: Pirjo Kääriäinen
With the experience from textile business, Kääriäinen is the perfect person to talk to about the new bio-based materials in textile industry.
More