Lapponia Jewelry, which was established in the 1960s, is famous for creating Princess Leia’s Planetoid Valleys necklace for Star Wars, which is still part of their collection. “Lapponia often draws inspiration from nature and Lapland, and creates strong statement pieces for people who are confident with their own style; their designs are in essence like works of art,” explains sales director Ursula Ilmes. The brand has also found a lot of fans outside of the Nordic region. Under one roof in perfect harmony Last November, the brands were brought together under one roof at a new store on Pohjoisesplanadi in Helsinki. “Here, both brands live in perfect harmony together, and we’ve also brought the jewellery closer to the customers. Usually, the jewellery would be shown in a display case, behind glass, but at the new store the pieces can be held and touched, adding a new element to the shopping experience,” says Ilmes.
Kalevala Koru, Korona earrings and pendant
Lapponia Jewelry, Planetoid Valleys necklace
A double dose of bold Finnish jewellery design
Kalevala Koru, Made in Helsinki Eira pendant
From Princess Leia’s famed necklace to pieces based on ancient Scandinavian designs, and from contemporary creations following fashion trends to modern yet timeless elegance, two of Finland’s best-loved jewellery brands, Kalevala Koru (Kalevala Jewelry) and Lapponia Jewelry, have produced some instant classics over the years – and continue to enchant with their bold designs. Today, the two brands can be found under one jewellery group, forming one of the largest of its kind in Europe. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Kalevala Koru & Lapponia Jewelry
Kalevala Koru and Lapponia Jewelry are both known for their distinctive brand identities and strong traditions, but their bold approach to design is something that undoubtedly unifies them. Kalevala Koru has been around for 75 years and was established by the Finnish Kalevala Women’s Association, which is devoted to preserving and advancing Finnish cultural heritage and today owns the jewellery group. The association originally started creating pieces based on archaeological finds and
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historic jewellery, and this is something the Kalevala brand is still strongly associated with, but its modern collections have attained just as strong a following. In 2012, it was chosen as the 15th most valued brand in Finland. However, even in new collections, Kalevala Koru still emphasises the story and inspiration behind each piece. The Eira jewellery made for Kalevala Koru’s Made in Helsinki collection, for example, was inspired by heat motifs found on a building located in the Eira district in Helsinki.
For more information, please visit: www.kalevalajewelry.com www.lapponia.com Find the flagship store at: Pohjoisesplanadi 25-27, 00100 Helsinki