Marimekko Photos Featured on Finnish Design Blog
Posted on August 21, 2008 1 Comment
I proudly point you to a blog about Finnish design that is featuring the photos I took from the Marimekko fashion show. Visit Finnish Design Blog to see the entry.
Cheers!
Connie Nielsen Makes “Guide to Copenhagen” on CNN
Posted on August 13, 2008 2 Comments
Danish actress Connie Nielsen has created her own personal guide to Copenhagen for a series on CNN called, “My City, My Life.” The videos are highlighted in an article about the program on Wonderful Copenhagen’s web site and the videos can be viewed here:
MyCity_MyLife: Connie Nielsen Part 1 (5:10)
MyCity_MyLife: Connie Nielsen Part 2 (7:09)
They are beautifully done and well worth watching!
In addition, CNN has done a whole series on Copenhagen. See:
Copenhagen Fashion Week…What a trip!
Posted on August 11, 2008 2 Comments
Yes, I did actually see a model trip on the runway during the Copenhagen Fashion Week. She was wearing a gorgeous bright yellow silk dress with a super long train. The dress flowed and whirled behind her like rays of dancing sunshine as she walked down the catwalk. Just as I leaned over to comment, “nice,” nod my head up and down, and shoot a look of being impressed to the person standing next to me, the model slipped and had a runway casualty. She did a great job of gracefully picking herself up again and received an honorary round of applause from the audience. This occurred during the glorious Rützou (Danish) show held at Copenhagen’s City Hall. I was lucky enough to stand right next to the catwalk and stood literally a meter (a few feet) or so from the models as they stepped on to the mirrored glass platform and nearly got whisked away from the fan blasting air through their lovely locks and shiny outfits.
The fashion week kicked off with a seminar about upcoming trends for summer 2009, which included the themes, “Tomorrowland, In Process, Power Full & Elctrochok.” Some concepts included things like real and virtual life mixing together, techno-organic textures, modern romantic with pastels and black tights, shoulder pads (like Grace Jones & American football uniforms), “long bling” – subtle and discreet bling that is-, wind breaking silky finishes, metallic and shine, techno-retro, nylon windbreakers and ethno-electric (think African pattern in neon colors).
A press conference at City Hall presented information about a new Nordic Fashion Association that combines efforts of the Swedish Fashion Council, Oslo Fashion Week, Icelandic Fashion Council, Helsinki Design Week and Danish Fashion Institute. It’s aim is to raise the profile of the Nordic region and lead the Nordic fashion industry towards a stronger focus on ethical and sustainable production. It will operate this initiative under a project by the name of NICE = Nordic Initiative Clean & Ethical, and provide a code of conduct for doing business focusing on ethical labor and greener production practices. In addition, the “Nordic Look,” a fashion event to take place in Riga (Latvia) later this year, aims to create “a new Nordic-Baltic dialog on responsible fashion and regional cooperation. These codes are expected to be “published” next year in 2009 during the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen.
To make a notion of goodwill towards this collaboration, Copenhagen Fashion Week opened with a show featuring a Swedish designer, AnnSophieBack, after the opening remarks were made by Bendt Bendtsen, Denmark’s Deputy Prime Minister and Eva Kruse, the director of the Danish Fashion Institute.
I also attended a few other shows including Danish designers Wackerhaus and Rutzou, and Finnish designer Marimekko. Here are a few shots:
AnnSophiBack
Wackerhaus
Rutzou
Marimekko
As part of the Fashion Week, there were a number of buyer exhibitions taking place around the city that showcased Scandinavian and international brands. Among those that caught my eye included:
Piet Breinholm – The last bag from Denmark
Andersen & Lauth from Iceland
Wood Wood from Denmark
Desigual from Spain
Fly from London
Numph – Denmark
*Minna Hanilla – Finnish designer from Norway
Ti-Mo – Norway
I also met Alexis Holm, designer of the Swedish brand gram. They make super retro, ultra-stylish and very modern yet nostalgic clothes and shoes that I absolutely loved. Maybe it’s because it reminded me of the 80s!
Alexis Holm
gram shoes
All in all, Copenhagen Fashion Week was pretty much what I expected except for the representation of the wide array of the international brands. It’s nice to see the Nordics coming together and combining forces so that they can build a stronger position in the world of fashion. My only dissapointment was not being able to attend the Odd Molly and the Henrik Vibskov shows.
Click on Flickr to see more pictures.
Time Magazine: How Denmark Sees the World in 2012
Posted on August 5, 2008 Leave a Comment
Time magazine’s recent article about Denmark hosting the UN climate summit in 2009 in Copenhagen entited, “How Denmark Sees the World in 2012,” outlines the importance of this summit due to the negotiations necessary to put a plan in place by the time the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.
Time reports:
…we need to have a plan in place by the start of 2010 to ensure that there isn’t a fatal gap between the expiration of Kyoto and whatever comes next.
The good news is that there may be no country in the world better prepared than Denmark to play host to a climate summit that could — just maybe — decide the fate of the world.
The article cites Denmark’s green initiatives, government structure and leadership in wind and states:
Denmark is a world leader in wind energy, and produces more than 10% of its power from turbines.
The homegrown wind company Vestas is a world leader earning $8 billion a year, an impressive figure in a country that has barely half the population of Hong Kong.
In addition to wind, the article mentions Copenhagen’s bicycle culture, overall urban livability and the formation of two Ministries dedicated to environmental issues as aspects that give Denmark, and the city of of Copenhagen a leading edge.
Finally, the article rightly emphasizes the importance of U.S. leadership and commitment by the new (much-needed) upcoming administration.
The Copenhagen Markets is coming
Posted on July 31, 2008 3 Comments
As a follow up to my “Where to find green leafies in Denmark,” post I have discovered a couple more tid bits of info that may be of interest. First, I was tipped off on a web site called www.farmersmarket.dk that led me to discover one of the biggest/best farmer’s markets in Copenhagen is located in Valby. It’s actually a wholesale market called Grønttorvet København located at Grønttorvet 5, DK-2500 Valby (Tel: (+45) 77 31 50 00 & E-mail: mail@groenttorvet.dk).
It’s mainly a wholesale market selling vegetables, fish, meat, fruit & flowers, etc. (around 200 stalls) to shops & restaurants, however it is open to the public from 8:00am – 9:00 am Monday-Friday ONLY. The web site is: www.groenttorvet.dk
What’s even more exciting is that I also discovered that there are plans in place to build a HUGE market (Northern Europe’s largest), and move this one in Valby to the new location in Høje Taastrup (20 km from Copenhagen city center). The Copenhagen Markets – (brochure here) – will cover 220,000 m2 of land and will take inspiration from other world markets. On the web site it reads:
The inspiration for the development of Copenhagen Markets comes from the leading international markets such as Rungis in Paris, but also Frischezentrum in Frankfurt and C.A.R. in Rome, where they have successfully gathered all produce under one roof, while moving the markets from the inner city to the outskirts of the city.
Here are some images/diagrams of what it will look like:
See below to read the official press release. Plans are in place for this market to be open in 2011. This is AWESOME NEWS! I can’t wait to check out the market in Valby and to visit this new market when it opens in 2011…not soon enough, but I guess good things come to those who wait.
When Copenhagen Market opens its doors to the public in 2011, opening Northern Europe’s largest and most dynamic marketplace and distribution centre for fresh produce, plants and flowers and applied art, it will be with a unique concept. The construction consortium, with E. Pihl & Son at the helm, has developed a visionary and functional construction concept that will give Copenhagen Markets an identity and profile like no other in Europe.
Copenhagen Markets will consist of a series of six-sided halls measuring 10,000 m2 each, combined with rhombus-shaped and three-sided halls that are joined in an architectonically innovative building complex that can be developed with a high degree of functionality.
Four turnkey construction consortiums took part in the EU invitation for tenders. The panel of judges deemed that the winning project stood out as a “powerful, innovative, flexible and convincing proposal for the future Copenhagen Markets”.
Tomorrow’s Copenhagen Markets opens up for efficient and functional logistical handling of products from a large international market and offers an accessible trading environment that is rich in experience and with strong appeal for modern retailers, the catering industry and consumer representatives of the future.
One of the panel’s three professional judges, architect and partner in C.F. Møller Julian Weyer, says: “The six-sided structure is a very exciting idea that will fascinate both customers and other interested parties. The winning project has the potential to function as a brand for Copenhagen Markets and can be optimised to satisfy the efficiency requirements that the future tenants quite naturally have.”
Director of Copenhagen Markets, Torben Flinch, adds: “The winning project will give our tenants at Copenhagen Markets substantial benefits in the form of more effective logistics and operations, as well as new trading opportunities. We anticipate growth in the number of companies in the future – including players with new products such as fish and meat.”
In the second half of 2008, the management of Copenhagen Markets, together with E. Pihl & Son and in close collaboration with over 50 companies who have already signed a lease agreement, will optimize and develop the final project before the beginning of the construction phase in 2009.
The name Copenhagen Markets reflects the vision of a dynamic and international marketplace in Copenhagen. The logotype is introduced visually by three ports symbolizing the efficient handling and distribution of the large volumes of products. The little orange ‘CM’ mark underscores that goods from Copenhagen Markets are quality products.
Cetral location – Copenhagen Markets’ unique location near the motorway system in the western part of Copenhagen and close to Malmö – the two cities of the Øresund region – makes it easy for customers to shop and have goods delivered from Copenhagen Markets. In all, 3.6 million people live in the Øresund region, the majority of whom live within a radius of 50 km from Copenhagen Markets. Read more about it at: www.oresundsregionen.org
Further information: Director of Copenhagen Markets, Torben Flinch, mobile +45 2423 8102
Copenhagen 7th Most Expensive City (also best to live in, best for quality of life and best design city)
Posted on July 30, 2008 5 Comments
The annual Mercer Worldwide Cost of Living survey was recently published for 2008 in late July. Not surprisingly, Copenhagen ranked 7th, down from 6th in 2007, and Moscow ranks number one as the most expensive city in the world. Click on the link above to see the entire list.
Mercer also ranked Copenhagen as the 11th best city to live in, ranking Zurich as no. 1 in 2006. These rankings, as well as many others on Denmark being the happiest place in the world, were recently underscored by Monocle magazine’s ranking of Copenhagen being “the best city in the world for quality of life” in June this year. It also won, “best design city” by the magazine. In an article written by Copenhagen Capacity entitled “Why Copenhagen is the best city in the world for quality of life,”it states that some of the reasons for why Copenhagen has won this accolade by Monocle including, “Copenhagen’s 1,600 annual hours of sunshine (WHAT???), the 167 cinema screens in 32 different cinemas (AGAIN, WHAT???), and the low murder rate of six per year (OK, this is true).” Other reasons cited include green policies and the fact that 54.9 percent of the city’s waste is recycled, innovation with an average of 5,000 new firms established each year, and a tolerance towards homosexuals. Finally, the editors state, “good humour, their intellect and, of course, their good looks,” as final aspects that sealed the deal. Interesting….
There are many reasons why I personally believe that Copenhagen is ONE of the best cities to live in. I don’t know if I would say it is the best overall. Comparing my experience living (not just visiting) in Dallas, Austin, New York, Boston and San Francisco, oh, and Erie, Pennsylvania :), I would say that there are many pros such as convenience (easy to get around, limited traffic, possibility of biking most everywhere, etc.), accessibility, safety, infrastructure, social welfare system, international orientation (mostly but not always), choice of natural, organic products, quality of life in terms of outdoor activities and cultural offerings, pace and tempo (more human and balanced). I also find that the people in general have a greater sense of living their values – placing priority on family, being healthy and leisure (ok, maybe a little too much sometimes, but it beats burning yourself out like in the U.S.), vacations (six weeks is most common), nimbleness in terms of policy changes (small enough to implement changes in the system relatively easier than a larger, more bureaucratic nation). I could go on and on I suppose. There are draw backs, don’t get me wrong. I won’t get into the negatives as I would prefer to focus on what I like about Denmark, which is a lot seeing that I’ve been living here for six years now — longer than I lived in the above mentioned cities. I will say that this cost of living survey does hit home and with the compromised world economy, we are starting to feel the crunch – especially when purchasing our vegetables.
Cheers for Copenhagen being simply THE BEST!
Finding Green Leafies in Denmark
Posted on July 25, 2008 9 Comments
It’s no secret that dark green leafies are the kings of all vegetables containing the highest nutrient density. Unfortunately, they are hard to find in Denmark. Since most produce is seasonal and local or very selectively imported it can make for slim pickings when it comes to variety in produce. This is great especially if you subscribe to the macrobiotic diet of eating locally-grown grains and vegetables. However, it can be limited and as a result I haven’t been able to find veggies like kale, collard greens, Bok Choy, watercress, mustard and turnip greens and Swiss chard.
In my quest for improving my diet and nutrition, I learned some valuable dietary lessons from Dr. Joel Furhman, author of a great book entitled, “Eat to Live.” Since then I have gained a completely new attitude towards vegetables and discovered their power first-hand in my life. Some may even say that I am obsessed with vegetables. It’s not really so much of an obsession as it is a realization of their effect on how I feel and function. I just have never put as much emphasis on them before. In addition, my juicing project has been going very well and I am ready to advance to the stage where I can start juicing greens.
So, I sent an S.O.S. to an international group I belong to, L.I.N.K. of Denmark (Ladies International Group) asking if anyone knew where I can find these prized veggies. I received so many great tips that I decided to list them here in the event that there are others like me on the hunt for green leafies.
Where to Find Green Leafies in the Copenhagen area:
- All the asian markets are located in Vesterbro (right beside Hovedbanegården-Main train station). I know for sure you can find Bok Choy in the Chinese Market store; as for the other veggies, there is a good chance you can find some of them either on that street or in the surrounding area. There are ethnic grocers sprinkled throughout that neighbourhood.
- There are two organic farms near me. Here are their websites:
http://www.grantoftegaard.dk – in Ballerup
http://www.stengaardenoko.dk – near Farum
There are lots of organic farms all over Denmark, with farm shops. Here is a link where you can find the ones closest to you: http://www.okologi.dk/Eksterne/besog/Default.asp
The only way to get greens year round is in Chinese and Thai markets. There are good ones near the main train station – Chinatown Market and Bangkok Trading – in Reventlovsgade. They have bok choy and other greens that are nice – Chinese broccoli (gai lan) and another green called choy sam.
I‘m a vegetarian and have been on the lookout for greens since I came here 14 years ago. It’s tough to find them. You can only get kale when it’s in season, from fall to early spring. Good health food stores and some supermarkets (Irma, Super Best, Brugsen) may have it.
Have you tried the veg handlers behind central station? There are a lot of ethnic shops here where you can buy most things. Bok Choy is no problem to find there. There is a Pakistani place across the road where if you take the side enterance, and walk in the direction away from Vesterport. This area is actually safer than people think and there are some nice cafes on halmtorvet. Down Istegade you will find Chinese and Thai and Phillipino supermarkts – these are about 10-20 minutes up the road past all the sex shops. You can also walk down Nørrebrogade from Nørrebro station and you will come across lots of ethnic food places that have all sorts of amazing stuff, that you can just cannot find in Brugsen. :))
Thanks for all those that gave this great info! I leave you now with a short video of a presentation given by Dr. Furhman about Nutrition Density:
What’s Happened to My Country?
Posted on May 21, 2008 6 Comments
It really hasn’t been that long since the last time I was in the States (August of last year), yet somehow it seems like a lot has changed and some of it not for the good. In just a few days I have been inundated with bad news from every angle. This country doesn’t feel like the America that I once knew. It feels more like how I would imagine a South American country to be. Since I haven’t actually been to South America, I can’t say why I see it in this way except that I sense an economic and social instability that has made life downright dangerous or so it seems by the everyday crime and destruction.
It’s not just crime either. It’s also problems with infrastructure and the environment not to mention the survival tactics that are being used by most everyone regardless of social status or upbringing. Basically, there is sense of uncertainty or insecurity in the air.
I am starting to realize just how fortunate I am that I am sheltered from all of this and don’t have to worry about it infiltrating into my psyche. Here are some of the “words” or phrases from the news stories and what’s being covered in the Dallas area. I am only listing these to illustrate a point and also give an update on stories that I’ve picked up since arriving. This could be indicative of Dallas or Texas and not the rest of the U.S., however we are all part of the same planet so it has an effect nonetheless.
- Words from today’s news: rip off, gas leak explosion, cheese heroine, serial rapist, pharmacist shot in the hip by robbers trying to get prescriptiondrugs, murder at a grocery store (thief shot by security guard), 1 year old drowning in a dirty pool while grandma was babysitting
- A 13 year old girl committed suicide because she was rejected by a 16 year old on myspace. The boy was “made up” by the mother of the 13 year old girl’s classmate to “inflict emotional distress.” The mother has been charged with conspiracy.
Other news:
- California’s Supreme Court declared that gay couples can legally wed.A company producing a yearbook altered photos like switching heads, making a girl look naked and cutting off arms.
- Wine maker Robert Mondavi died.
- I also heard a story on the radio about Hillary and McCain drinking vodka in Estonia years back and apparently they drank 4 shots and Hillary drank McCain under the table.
- Coke to use stevia to make a no-cal cola.
Other Tid Bits:
I’ve noticed that in American culture there is a certain level and kind of raw vulgarity that does not exist in the same way as in Europe (perhaps the UK, but definitely not in Scandinavia or the other major European countries), as well as an overly extroverted nature. People tend to reveal a lot of themselves, which can be seen as both good and bad. I guess I am now accustomed to Danes being the opposite way so now it’s even more striking.
I have had loads of small talk, gotten things for free, returned a face lotion after trying it and not liking it and got my money back with no questions asked, and pressed many buttons on the telephone to get through to the right person for customer support. Ahh, it feels good to be home.
Finally, I am thrilled about the produce and fish selections, as well as natural food selections at Whole Foods Market. I tried wheat grass today for the first time and while I did feel a bit like a cow grazing (I know it’s used for juicing but I don’t have a juicer here so I just used my trap). It was tasty with a peppery kind of spiciness. I also tried a new kind of mango from Haiti that rocked. It was a white mango and super sweet. And for dinner I prepared a mix of all kinds of fresh veggies with couscous mixed with some of the mango and sauteed fresh Atlantic shrimp from off the coast of Florida and the most enormous scallops I have ever seen in my life. They were scrumptious.
Cheers for another crazy day in the U.S. of A.
On My Way to the U.S.A: What I’m looking forward to…
Posted on May 14, 2008 2 Comments
Tomorrow I leave for a six-week stint to the U.S. to get a much needed “dose” of all things American including catching up with friends and family.
It’s been nine months since my last trip to the U.S. and over a year since I’ve been “home.” I am actually quite proud of myself for lasting this long as it seems I get the “itch” and need to go back after about six months. Since it will be six years this year that I’ve lived in Denmark, I suppose that the longer I live here, the longer I can manage staying in between visits home.
I know this trip will be much different for me in many ways because I have a lot of new perspectives and ways of doing things. That said, there is still a lot that I do miss that have become a sort of tradition for me when I go back. Here are just a few of the things that I’m most looking forward to when I go home.
America Here I Come – What I Look Forward to:
- Seeing and spending time with mom (and other family/friends)
- Playing with my mom’s dogs (Red & Jack)
- Chatting with strangers in shops and public places
- Smiling and getting eye contact from strangers
- Listening to the radio and watching TV and understanding 100% of what is being said all the time
- Not having to do dishes by hand
- Being able to do laundry when I feel like it
- Tasty fresh produce from California and Florida (and Texas too)
- Going to IHOP (International House of Pancakes) for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner
- Visiting the post office
- Going to Blockbuster and renting movies that have not come out yet or at all in DK
- Reading the newspaper every day and catching up on celebrity gossip in the tabloids
- Watching Stephen Colbert from “The Colbert Report,” every night that I can and cracking up
- Watching “Saturday Night Live” and getting up to date on popular culture
- Using the ice machine directly from the fridge
- Having my nails and eyebrows done (and it not costing a fortune)
- Hanging out with my cousin Julia and her new husband, meeting my third cousin and meeting Max, my close friend’s 1 year old
- People helping me while I’m shopping (providing added service)
- Getting refills at restaurants without asking for it
- Sitting in the sun every day that it’s possible (which in Texas is likely to be just about every day)
- Wearing a tank top, flip flops and shorts every day and not getting a chill!!!!
- Watching a few episodes of Oprah
- Checking e-mails using Starbuck’s wi-fi and enjoying a caffeine-free (or half caff)
I’m sure I could think of more…but I think that covers the majors. Until next time, I’ll be high in the sky for about 14 hours starting at 8:00 am tomorrow. Vi ses næste gang!
Denmark Needs Workers So Why Can’t Foreigners Get Jobs?
Posted on May 14, 2008 55 Comments
An article on the cover of one of Denmark’s leading national newspapers, Berlingske Tiden, published a story entitled, “Desperate jagt på nye medarbejdere,” meaning “Desperate hunt for new employees.”
It states that the employment market is in such dire need for employees that four out of 10 openings are filled by people that are not qualified for the job. It also states that 15 percent of the country’s companies have completely given up on finding the the employees they need. I don’t know where these statistics come from but what strikes me is that while this seems to be the case, there is still a serious problem with foreigners securing jobs in Denmark.
In fact, just a couple of weeks ago a woman inquired into an international group that I am a member of and asked members to complete a survey she had set up about working in Denmark. She stated her motivation was to set up some kind of activity regarding working in Denmark in hopes to raise the interest to the Employment Ministry or “Beskæftigelses Ministeriet.”
The motivation for her initiative:
In spite of all the news about how much Denmark needs workforce – also from abroad – the impression is, that it is difficult to find work as a foreigner.
I would have to agree. I’ve also heard similar complaints on international chat groups with people expressing how bored they are because they are waiting to find work in Denmark or countless “help” requests for how to find a job here.
It’s really such a shame that Denmark has a number of highly talented, professional people living here that want to stay here that the companies do not take advantage of. It’s also unfortunate that it’s due to general cultural beliefs and attitude towards foreigners (in my opinion) that, while improving, stifles growth and hinders true integration.
It’s certainly a hot topic and one that is of major concern to many interested groups.
Laura Stadler Consulting 
