Member Spotlight: helleka

Today's member spotlight is on helleka, a member of two years. She's a translator from Finland who creates beautiful sets. Here are some of her favorite sets.

Prep school by helleka featuring alexander mcqueen

French chic by helleka featuring bracelets & bangles

Próxima estación by helleka featuring moschino

Tell us your name, age, profession and what you typically wear every day (anything you’d like to share).

My name is Heidi, I'm in my thirties, and I teach foreign languages and also work as a translator. We don’t have a dress code at work so I can wear pretty much whatever I like. I’m more of a skirt or dress person, which is a bit unusual in a country where most women prefer to wear jeans or pants. I’m not into prints so a typical outfit would be a simple sheath dress, as unusual shoes as I can get away with and nail polish in atypical colours – I prefer blues and greens the most. I go running every evening so I spend a lot of time in sportswear, too.

Where do you live, and what trends are big there?

I live in southwestern Finland and at the moment we are still getting the occasional rogue snowstorm so people are still wearing their winter coats and boots. I’ve noticed people wearing brighter colours such as pink and oranges, florals and checked fabrics like gingham lately.

What is your favorite brand/designer? What do like about that brand?

I don’t know if I really have a single favorite, but probably wear Max Mara, Armani and Ralph Lauren the most. I like classic pieces I can wear for several years and these brands make a lot of timeless pieces that are worth the investment.

Which celebrity has great style?

I love almost everything that Inès de la Fressange wears. She seems to the epitome of Parisian chic. Also, Jennifer Aniston has great, understated style that lets people focus on her as a person rather than the outfits that she wears. Olivia Palermo seems to get it right more often than wrong.

How has Polyvore affected your life?

Even though I love my work, it is often very dry and academic. Polyvore gives me a chance to be a bit more creative. I don’t have any training in design or fashion so most of my sets are just trial and error. I see a piece of clothing I like and think: “Hmm. I wonder what I’d wear with that…” Plus I get to do virtual shopping via my sets so this curtails my shopping habits a bit! Looking at all the wonderful sets people create here has probably affected the way I dress even though I haven’t thought of it consciously. I’m even thinking of maybe buying something floral this spring and this is something I’d never have done earlier. And I love the community aspect; this site has given me a chance to “meet” lots of wonderful and creative people around the world.

Describe your personal sense of style.

I have a mother and a grandmother who have always been very much into fashion, and I’ve grown up with fashion magazines scattered around the house. So, apart from my quirky shoes and nail polishes, I’m into classic and simple stuff. I have several vintage design pieces that I’ve gotten from my grandmother that I love to wear. I tend to buy investment pieces rather than high street fashion or mass market retailers such as H&M, so I’m not always good at following the latest trends.