Fashion Design & Haute Couture
I also support the creative industries in fashion design and haute couture, principally with Estonian and Russian designers.
Beatrice Fenice
Beatrice was one of the Baltics states first fashion models and was a regular 1990’s-2000’s cover girl for Vogue, Cosmopolitan and even Playboy. I worked with her, providing conceptual themes and finance for a couple of Estonian Fashion Week events, including:
Road
For this event I was involved in the concept – China’s Belt & Road Initiative – and sourcing some of the materials, which included Indian, Sri Lankan, Burmese and Thai saris amongst other Asian fabrics. These were then reworked by Beatrice into what turned out to be a stunning 2018 collection that immediately sold out.
B
For the follow up collection in 2019, we went more grunge. Again, the show was a huge success, and most items were immediately sold. Following this, covid appeared and other changes put a halt to what had been an extravagant success – in Estonia. I soon learned that getting collections into shows such as Paris is super expensive and ultimately proved a step too far. However, I remain in touch with one of the Baltics’ loveliest ladies, who occasionally still models and remains stunningly beautiful.
Guild
Guild are a husband and wife team of Sten Karik and Joan Hint, we met at a summer party I threw in my Estonian old town residence. I have ordered bespoke suits from them, including Italian silks and wools over several years now. Sten is my preferred tailor and hatter. An interview with me by Joan can be seen here. Meanwhile, I was asked to model their 2023 collection, here are some of the images.
SHUM
SHUM are a Gentleman’s barbers in St.Petersburg and where I always go to get a trim. Being of ancient Viking origin, I am quite hirsute, and especially in facial hair – and the guys at SHUM always make me look like quite regal. I have also modelled for them, with my photos on the walls of their shop, which must be quite disturbing for some of their clients. This image is from spring 2024 straight after a haircut and beard trim. That coat btw is from Shanghai Tang.
