IvanaHelsinki-Paola Suhonen
Ivana Helsinki - Nordic Soul, Global Vision.
“From Nordic roots and nature’s poetry, IvanaHelsinki – Paola Suhonen creates soulful design with global reach.” Ivana Helsinki is an iconic Nordic art and fashion brand where pure Scandinavian moods meet the poetry of nature and outdoor life. Founded in 1998, it has evolved into a multidimensional creative house, merging fashion, art, and storytelling into a design language that feels both timeless and global. Its natural aesthetic has inspired more than 100 international collaborations and strong sales across Europe, Asia, and North America — with a particularly strong presence in Japan and South Korea. Beyond fashion, Ivana Helsinki has become an acclaimed film and record brand, most recently honored with five international awards for its latest feature film. Dedicated also to charitable projects worldwide, Ivana Helsinki continues to inspire soulful connections while offering powerful opportunities for licensing and global partnerships.
Paola Ivana Suhonen, Finnish Designer, Visual Artist and Film-Maker, is the creative force behind the internationally recognized IvanaHelsinki brand. A graduate from the Aalto University in Finland with a BA degree in the Arts, Paola Suhonen also lived and studied in the United States for five years. She has a Cinematography Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. She was awarded the prestigious Student Emmy for a film shot on 16mm in the spring of 2013. She is also a recipient of the Pro Finlandia-medal for her meritorious work as an artist. Her art and designs are a mix of the past and present of Nordic landscapes, Northern legends, Americana vintage, nostalgia and a collection of contemporary pop culture edge.
The Brand
Established in 1998 by the visionary Suhonen sisters, Paola and Pirjo, IvanaHelsinki is an independent art, fashion, design, record, and cinematic brand — and one of the leading modern Scandinavian design houses in the world. Originally founded as a personal art project by Paola Suhonen, the brand draws inspiration from her childhood memories, her love of nature and animals, and her passion for life on the road. Its recognizable identity is built on bold Nordic prints, nostalgic silhouettes, and a design language that is both timeless and contemporary.
With more than 100 collaborations worldwide, IvanaHelsinki has partnered with iconic brands such as Anthropologie, Swarovski, and Uniqlo. Its fashion and accessories collections are licensed and sold in major retail stores throughout Europe, China, South Korea, Japan, and the United States. The brand also directed the interior design of Helsinki’s landmark Sokos Presidentti Hotel, further showcasing its multidisciplinary creative reach.
Recognized as a global leader in Nordic fashion, IvanaHelsinki was selected to present at Paris Fashion Week in October 2023 and remains the only Finnish fashion label to have shown at both Paris and New York Fashion Weeks. As a sustainable, family-owned independent house, IvanaHelsinki is committed to “everyday luxury” through environmentally conscious practices, including vegan materials, organic cottons, and eco-friendly viscose.
Philosophy
Ivana Helsinki is a celebration of art in the form of functional luxury. Love Stories, Road Trips and Dresses are for everyone, and our aim is to make sure to pass the joy of art bubbling from these themes.
Ivana Helsinki Design Philosophy
Storytelling is a vital part of the Ivana Helsinki philosophy. The collections, inspired by strong stories, emotions, and lived moments, are a world of memories, beautiful prints and strong feelings. Paola Suhonen explains, “Ivana Helsinki is a way of living. My world is for the ones who love moonlit fields, pirates, dark forests, fragile butterflies, passionate relationships, cowboys and guardian angels.”
The Ivana Helsinki design ideology is based on art and that makes it sustainable; it creates trends instead of following them. Ivana Helsinki creates timeless and unique art pieces for ‘functional luxury’.
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