Inspired by the feminine styles of the 1930s and 1940s, Minna Parikka is a Finnish shoe designer with an eye for the elegant. Functionality plays second fiddle with designs that are unashamedly girlie — think powdery pinks and baby blues, suede, leather, satin and corset lacing.
Hailing from Helsinki, Parikka began shoe designing at the age of 15 and has spent the past 12 years travelling the world for inspiration and to study footwear design in the UK at De Montford University in Leicester. At just 22 years old she won the title of
Young British Glove Designer (another of her endeavours). By the age of 23 she was the head designer for an Italian shoe brand called Uroads, based in Italy and London. She has also worked as a stylist.
In 2005, she launched her own brand, also called Minna Parikka. It is already stocked in ten countries and has a flagship store in Helsinki. Made in a Spanish family-run factory in Alicante, Minna Parikka is in good company. The factory has, for many years, only made shoes for Lulu Guinness and Nicole Farhi.
Clean lines
Parikka's range stands out among typical Scandinavian designs that are renowned for their clean lines. Parikka flouts convention with her quirky, tongue-in-cheek style.
Despite naming Helsinki as her favourite place, she says London has affected her designs more than her hometown. "There is no direct Finnish influence in my work, but it is a calm place. London is hectic. I feel like in Helsinki you can fulfil your dreams. You don't compete or feel like you have to be running everywhere all the time," she says.
'I do love the pure form of Scandinavian design in decoration, though. The colours,the shapes…"
The brand is distinctly vintage in style, with 1940s pin-up girls heavily influencing the signature Minna Parikka style, from stilettos to chunky, low heels, right down to the pink-striped shoe boxes. Her personal style, complete with finger waves in her hair, reflects the brand where sophisticated glamour meets kitsch cool.
Show stopper
Gingham, polka dot, bow, buckle, tassel, heart and lace detailing are all popular additions to Parikka's designs, which she says are inspired by Victorian and antique lingerie. But, though the shoes are famous for their style statement, the range is well known for its comfort too. It's this combination of show-stopping design and wearability that has propelled Parikka's shoe designs to cult status.
But Minna Parikka doesn't stop at shoes. The designer has extended the brand to incorporate adorable bags, knitwear and gloves — some of which are named after retro icons, such as the Bardot, Raquel and Twiggy gloves. "For now,I am going to focus on developing the knitwear collection. No clothes apart from that,” she says. “I am branching out in small leather accessories, too, though, with the gloves and bags."
