What is your background? Is it specifically in fashion design?
Design is actually my second degree from Parsons. Before that I went to Bryn Mawr for undergrad where I studied economics, art history and women's studies and worked at Holly Solomon's gallery before going back to school.

What keeps you stable during the chaos of your work?
Netflix and Hulu.

What people/places/things do you find yourself consistently going back to for inspiration?
The 80s and 90s in terms of not only fashion, but music and pop culture. I love old Pierre Cardin and Claude Montana, as well as old Bally and Benetton. With music I especially like anything new wave and dream pop. As for movies, I love Heathers, Working Girl, City of Lost Children and Reality Bites. I guess in general I turn to things with a bit of glamour combined with surrealism, as well as Indi vibes. It's what I know and grew up with. Then, I top it with a minimalist sensibility.

Do you feel there is a specific piece that is iconic within your AW16 line? Maybe one that you feel most inspired by, or simply your favorite?
I love the ruffle neck blouse. To me it briefly summarizes the collection — a bit romantic with the ruffle, a bit sport with the raglan sleeve and the cotton/nylon and in the end, its own complete thought. 

When designing do you enjoy collaboration or are you more of an independent artist?
I like to come up with the concept and direction on my own; it's what separates myself as a designer. But I love asking the opinions of several friends whose taste and perspective I respect. It's always insightful.

If you weren’t a designer, what other occupation could you see yourself in?Academia

Current book you’re reading, or current song or album you’ve been listening to?
Goddesses In Everywoman by Jean Shinoda Bolen.

What’s your life mantra?
No regrets.

Shop The Suzanne Rae Collection Here.

Hometown? Portland, Pennsylvania

Favorite spot in the Twin Cities? Riverview theater for a good movie, and I always go in the powder room after the movie and just hang out for a second it's so cool in there! Gardens of Salonica, a greek restaurant. It's a simple restaurant with beautiful light.

Coffee, tea, or cocktail (and how do you take it)?​ At this point tea: Ginger or Raspberry Leaf. When I'm not pregnant it's a cocktail. Dry vodka martini with so many olives: just two of those and I'm a different lady. 

In a few words, explain your style: Comfort is really important to me and I am attracted to special design, when there is something unanticipated and creative there. I also like a small element of vintage to what I wear whether in color, texture, etc.

Any daily rituals? Omega Fish Oil capsules and spoonful of olive oil. Once this dry weather hits I moisturize from the inside out and it's amazing.​ Lots of walking around Saint Paul.

One piece of advice you’ve taken to heart: "​Figure out wha​t you want. Say it loud. Then shut up."

PROVOKE

verb

To stir up purposely; provide a needed stimulus

/ TWO POEMS / “Habitual catalogue of the day, intro ft. blossom fallen from a gated property and crisping on the pavement’s piss-streaked sun, kicked out of shape by the advance of a woman whose feet pass quickly.” The White Review.

/ It Looks Like It Says / Geoff McFeetridge Exhibit / “There is a little bit of confusion in the familiarity of it.” Joshua Liner Gallery.

/ Inside the World of Hair Artist Sam McKnight / “One is greeted by a suitcase that has exploded its myriad of brushes, combs, bands, products, clips, and anything else remotely hair-related onto transparent shelves for all to see.” AnOther.

/ 9 Italian Art Terms You Should Know / “In contemporary fashion, sprezzatura describes the look of artful dishevelment—the ability to appear put together while wearing mismatched patterns or a crooked bow tie.” Artsy.  

/ SHAPED IN STONE / “My Gaze turns to the surrounding walls, which are illuminated in a warm, golden hue, carved like swirls of butterscotch.” CEREAL.

Image.

Hometown? St. Anthony Park (St. Paul) MN.

Favorite spot in the Twin Cities? The stretch of Minnehaha Creek trail between Lake Harriet and Minnehaha Falls. Bike, run, walk... it's just makes me happy.

Coffee, tea, or cocktail (and how do you take it)? Large coffee, no room.

In a few words, explain your style: There’s an essence of Scandinavian minimalism and efficiency I've picked up from years living in Stockholm, along with the comfort of Menswear because I grew up tagging along with my boy cousins. I never understood women being uncomfortable in clothing that didn't allow movement. But even in elevated basics, I add a feminine statement piece— a chic fedora hat, a vibrant red lip, a gold rimmed loafer.

Any daily rituals? I start every day with a cup of warm lemon water and a tablespoon of cod liver oil. I’m like an old Norwegian grandmother, I guess.

One piece of advice you’ve taken to heart: Less is more-- what a relief!

WISHLIST: Base Range Alley 3/4 Body Suit; Building Block Rucksack; Norse Projects Fyfa Boiled Turtleneck Sweater; Rachel Comey Thora Boot; Rachel Comey Poison Top; Skandinavisk Hav candle; Faris Cutout necklace; You Must Create Wool Tee; WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie Madeline Short Zip Glove; Master and Dynamic MH30 Silver headphones.

Which is your favorite and why? Rachel Comey Thora Boot. As a designer, she can do no wrong in my opinion. These boots are timeless, seasonably sensible, sexy, and well made. I would wear them every day if they were in my closet.

Shop Berit's Wishlist Here.

What is your background? Is it specifically in fashion design?
Well yes I studied fashion design originally (first in Lahti, Finland, and then in Florence, Italy), but I have always had interest in a wide range of aesthetic and artistic fields. I'm happy that within Samuji I have been able to explore these other fields as well: homeware, interior design, film, visual arts etc.

All the time, with every collection! I feel this moment of desperation is almost a crucial part of my creative process. And it doesn't get better with time and experience, I'm sorry to say.

Other aspects of life. Luckily my life is not all fashion and design -- I escape to do gardening, take walks in the forest with my dog and husband, or travel.

The Finnish nature. I grew up in the middle of Finland in a small village surrounded by forests and lakes, and that continues to be my endless inspiration.

I was really inspired by this amazing moss green wool fabric from Italy. I made two A line coats of it, shorter and longer, and some how I feel that they are key pieces of this collection!

A lot. I don't see design so much as art, to me it's more about serving people and purpose. When I design collections, I have a couple of close friends in mind: different kinds of women with different lifestyles, tastes etc. I try to see that each collection has something for each of them.

Definitely collaboration. This is just why I'm so happy about our artistic collaborations with film makers, painters, musicians... And I also get very inspired from the collaboration we have with other designers within Samuji. I design the clothing collections together with Jenni Väänänen, and we both use prints designed by our own print artists. In our Samuji Koti homeware collection we have even more designers and artisans collaborating.

At one point I was supposed to become a photographer, so maybe that then. Or a gardener.

I love Haruki Murakami, and right now I'm looking forward to getting to start his newest novel.

Well as said, I'm only waiting to get my hands on the newest Murakami, so can't give an excerpt yet :)

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream (works for everything imaginable!), 'Joutsen' down pillows and duvets, and my iPhone (sadly. I'd like to be less dependent on it).

I want to say the nature again. From my house in Porvoo I can take a walk straight to an ancient forest. A stroll there with a cup of coffee and my dog -- that would be a perfect break for me.

Be kind.

Shop the Samuji Collection here.