WILD Marita Huurinainen
*Post in collaboration with Wild Marita Huurinainen
When planning for this collaboration I got really excited. I fell in love with the products and instantly started to dig in the history and story of the brand. I always find it impossible to not get impressed by people who follow their dreams. The courage to believe in oneself and not settle for anything less is always inspiring. Therefore, am thrilled to present and familiarize you more with the woman and ethical beliefs behind the brand Marita Huurinainen. I think this brand and story is very interesting and beautiful.
As a child Marita used to draw and make clothes for herself as well as everybody else around her. At eleven years old she made her debut at the school’s spring festival, wearing an outfit made and designed entirely by her.
Marita grew up in Ilomantsi, a small village at the Eastern boarder of Finland. Ilomantsi is very rich in cultural heritage with it’s Carelian background and wild nature. “On the contrary, it is a small place where individual ideas aren’t always appreciated”, she says. Nonetheless, she is thankful for her background. Because it has given her great values she appreciates today.
After high school Marita left Ilomantsi to study at a university in Helsinki. She wanted to do something meaningful, therefore she studied world politics for four years. However, her passion to create never died.
The changing point happened during while studying in St Petersburg. Marita decided to follow her dreams and commence fashion design studies at the now called Aalto University.
Me: How did it all start, the passion for design and the beginning of the brand Marita Huurinainen?
Marita Huurinainen: My grand father and father used to hunt, and so did I. I grew up learning to appreciate the balance in nature and the traditional and respectful way of the life circle.
I value the indigenous cultures and their traditional way of life. Also, the beliefs in the spirits of forests and animals fascinates me. Nothing is killed for the fun of it. Everything has a reason. Whether it’s the meat or the leather. It has to be fair play.
As an example, there are hundreds of thousands raccoon dogs killed yearly for conservational reasons. Most of the times those are left in the forest as waste. It is also common to leave the skin of a killed moose corps behind. I want to show my respect towards the animal by understanding it’s value and show the respect it deserves.
Nature inspires me endlessly. Craftsmanship skills, old techniques and materials are fascinating. Launching my own brand was never at focus. I wanted to develop good products and the business around the concept started to grow naturally. It was my fathers idea actually. To have a trademark of origin for the consumer to know that the animal lived it’s natural habitat in the forest, and hasn’t been farmed.
I want the brand Marita Huurinainen to tell a story of a strong, independent, nordic woman. Someone who values the heritage we come from, yet lives in this cosmopolitan world of ours. The brand is embedded with values of balance between nature and ethical values in all of our actions.
Good style mostly come from self-knowledge and certainty. When you know who and what you are and present it proudly. This is also gained through experience. Perhaps a consolation for us ladies getting older.
Me: Motto in life?
Marita Huurinainen:
My father´s words: “If you can’t say it to the person you are talking about, you perhaps shouldn’t say it at all”.
Marita Huurinainen Wild products are made only out of fur and leather from animals born and raised in the Finnish nature. The materials used, are only those left over from animals hunted and killed for conservational reasons or for the meat. The collection contain pieces suitable for work, leisure and evening, made from natural materials only. Different cuts and shapes present classic style from a new and different perspective.
Furs by Wild Marita Huurinainen
Pictures of me by Dora Dalila
