Nomen Nescio (Latin for I do not know the name) is a Helsinki based design studio focused on minimalistic aesthetics and values. It was founded in 2012 with core values of being kind, honest, and respectful towards people and the environment. Nomen Nescio’s way of pursuing these values? Only making clothes that are coloured black. The brand wants to make gender-neutral and seasonless clothing, and keeping everything black is a clever way of doing that.
Nomen Nescio just opened a new flagship store on Mikonkatu 1, in the heart of Helsinki. It’s an installation space, a peaceful stage for the Nomen Nescio way of living, art, and design.
Read Niina and Timo’s guide to the Finnish capital below.
Our favourite thing that makes us proud of Helsinki:
— Sea, seashores, and islands. And also the community of independent entrepreneurs and brands, together with the mentality of helping each other and doing things together. Helsinki city centre is a human-size area, you can walk or go by bike everywhere needed. It’s a vivid city and mix of east, west and north in food, fashion, design and architecture.
Our favourite weekend routine:
— Museum or art gallery visits, a run in the woods, followed by a sauna and dip in the cold sea. We recommend visiting Gallery Lemmetti, Gallery Anhava, Design Museum, Amos Rex or Emma in Espoo.
Our favourite cultural spot:
— Helsinki Biennial, which had its first exhibition this summer in the beautiful surroundings of Vallisaari island.
Our favourite breakfast place:
— Grab something from Anton&Anton when walking by.
Our favourite place for dining out:
— Baskeri & Basso. Recommending this was a good reminder to ourselves to visit it soon again!
Our favourite place for a creative or business meeting:
— Walk by the sea, Kaivarin Ranta is nice and closest to the city centre. If you have a bit more time or a longer meeting ahead, we recommend also walk in Vattuniemi in Lauttasaari, walk around the Lehtisaari, or even Rantaraitti in Espoo.
Our favourite city escape:
— Kulttuurisauna. What a peaceful place and atmosphere!
Our favourite local entrepreneur or creative I want to promote:
— Studio Joanna Laajisto. The materials and tones they use in their interior design are impressive.
Our favourite space for great design:
— Helsinki Design Week events in September.
Our favourite local media:
— Just mentioned Helsinki Design Week has a weekly magazine, with interviews and articles on current issues in design, fashion and architecture.
Our favourite example of tech innovation in Helsinki:
— Infinited Fiber Company has created sustainable options for the fashion industry, can’t wait to have those available for commercial use!
Our favourite hotel for a staycation:
— St. George has a nice interior, location, and spa.
Our favourite route for a run or walk:
— A route around Laajalahti; it’s a fascinating mix of incredibly beautiful nature, bird towers, even cows, and Munkkiniemi seashore, and also the great 60s architecture in Kuusisaari and Lehtisaari.
Our favourite place for fashion:
— Nomen Nescio news store in Mikonkatu, obviously! The second favourite is Glasshouse Helsinki, they have a great curation of fashion added with an art gallery, book store, and Lokal — a lovely store for lifestyle products.
Our favourite hidden gem:
— The area of tiny summer cabins in the south tip of Lauttasaari.
Our favourite thing at home:
— We have moved to a new house six months ago, and we love the 60s architecture by Toivo Korhonen and how the atrium courtyard and big windows allow the light to play inside the house during the day.
