Ivana Helsinki & Seychelles Footwear at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week

El Segundo, CA, January 30, 2011 --(PR.com)-- A chance encounter and a common thread, creates a fashion week collaboration. Interested?

For Fall Winter 2011/2012, Ivana Helsinki’s “Velvet Lake” collection launches at Lincoln Center as the closing runway show of Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. To mark the occasion, models will be walking the runway in patchwork boots designed by Seychelles. The boot is a design collaboration, a blending of brand worlds that derived from Paola’s inspirations of textured landscapes, peacock feathers and the mod aesthetic of the late 60’s. For this collaboration, she says “channel the Scandinavian version of Brigitte Bardot.”

Our roots, wherever they begin, provide a foundation; a mutual respect. Paola Ivana Suhonen, artist and designer behind Ivana Helsinki and Sari Ratsula, Queen Bee/President of Seychelles, both grew up along the shores of the Baltic Sea, in Helsinki, Finland. Connected solely by origin and a love for art and design, they went on separate paths destined to meet years later in Los Angeles.

Ivana Helsinki is based on the elements of Paola’s Finnish heritage. She describes her point of view as one built from Scandinavian moods, Slavic melancholy, intense starkness and ballads filled with charming and soulful tones. Paola is revered in the industry as “one to watch” and is the only Scandinavian designer ever to present her collection in the official “In” show during Paris Fashion Week.

Born in Los Angeles in 1984, Seychelles has created a dedicated following offering vintage inspired footwear with a modern sensibility. Always on trend, the brand stays true to its heritage and connected to its girl. Romantic and independent, she loves soft and feminine details and vintage inspired designs. She knows who she is, has command over her personal style and makes fashion work for her.

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