Marleena Lehtonen

Unbeliavable that we have already come this far. It was 5 years ago that I made my first kimono coat, and after receiving wonderful feedback, decided to start making more under the brand Lili Marleena. A few weeks ago we celebrated this milestone with a fashion show and party at Bruket Café in Kallio.

[Read more…] about Lili Marleena 5 years!

New year is here (and has been already for a while), so I figured it’s a good time to tell a little what is going on a the moment with Lili Marleena.

[Read more…] about 2022

So we’re back at Stockmann! This time around you can find Lili Marleena -products both at Stockmann Helsinki and Tampere, but not online. In Helsinki there is a slightly wider selection due to fabric restrictions. So when you find for example 3 pieces of some dress or jacket, this is simply because that’s the amount of fabric that was left from the production of other brands for me to use in mine.

[Read more…] about Lili Marleena X Stockmann

Summer is finally here and the Sun is shining! I just had a fantastic pop up in Helsinki last Saturday at Cafe Bruket. I already agreed on a second pop up for the beginning of August. I’ll try to release the date as soon as possible.

The next event for this summer will be in Turku. I’ll take over the space of hair saloon Työhuone on Kristiinankatu for a whole week in July 10.-16.7. There will be a wide selection of unique pieces available in all the colours of the rainbow. This is the first time I have a pop up outside of Helsinki, so it’s pretty exciting! Hope to see many of you there too. Unfortunately I won’t be traveling to other cities this summer.

The web shop will also be updated with new products in July, so stay tuned! I’ll inform about all the news on our social media channels.

Hope everyone has had a fantastic beginning of the summer so far and hope to see as any of you as possible during these summer months!

<3: Marleena

It’s been a while since I updated things on the web shop, but now it’s time to refresh everything again! The truth is, that there has been room for only one priority at a time – this spring it has definitely been our collaboration with Stockmann in the form of a pop up section at the Helsinki department store, but also in their web shop. Altogether we came up with three collections for each pop up month. Now the last collection is live at Stockmann, and I am finally able to update new products here too!

We will start with the first seven products in beautiful summer colours in silk, viscose and cotton. In the next following weeks more products will be added – as soon as the talented seamstresses working for the brand around Helsinki have finished making them! We follow a very short time line at the moment.

The next things happening will be pop up events – yes, finally!!! There’ll be one in Helsinki in June, and one in Turku in July. Stay tuned, I will inform about everything a little sooner to the actual events. Can’t wait, to say the least.

But before the pop ups, I finally soon have the chance to visit Italy to buy fabrics! It’s been almost one year since last time. Buying fabrics on facetime isn’t the easiest matter, especially with bad connection. Since a long time I actually have a chance to properly see and touch all the fabrics I buy. Honestly, I haven’t made many mistakes with fabric buys, but I still prefer buying them live.

Have a great beginning of the summer and stay tuned on Lili Marleena social media channels!

<3: Marleena

All Lili Marleena -products are one size. This means that there are no sizes and all products fit a variety of different sized people. I have sold the same sized dress to someone who is 160 cm and size XS, but also to someone who is size XL and 180 cm. This might sound odd, but it actually does work.

My point is not to make clothes for everyone, but for a large majority of people. The size promise is, that worn correctly with a belt, all products fit women sized XS-XL. For someone shorter/smaller in size, the dresses are obviously longer and have more extra fabric, and for someone taller/bigger the length of the sleeves and hem fall a bit shorter… but all the same they do look good on both sizes. The simple way to make sure all products fit, is by tying them on with a belt.

The point is not only to make products that fit everyone, but most importantly that they fit you from year to year. There is nothing more frustrating than having a bunch of pretty dresses in your wardrobe that no longer fit… you just keep them in your closet in case one day (magically) they fit again! Lucky you if this magic does happen.

When you buy a Lili Marleena -product, you can be sure that your garment won’t feel too tight or too loose even though your body changed a little bit. It’s ok to change, and our clothes should be able to adjust to that. This is one aspect of the brand’s sustainability too – you don’t need to give up your garment because it’s too small or too big!

<3: Marleena

ps. And yes, I’m way too aware that I have too few pictures of XL-sized people! If you have a Lili Marleena -garment in your closet, please send me your pictures wearing them. I love nothing more than receiving and posting them on my feed.

Hi there,

the whole reason behind why I decided to start with this brand is that I found these amazing & luxurious fabrics, and thought something needs to be done of them.

Here’s a little check list on the materials used, and how they should be treated.

Silk

Silk is a natural fiber that can be woven into a fabric. Silk is produced by moth caterpillars. Silk is cold in the heat, but warm in the cold weather. Silk is best washed in cold water and by hand using a silk & wool washing powder. If you have a stain, I advice you to try to rinse it with water and mild soap, and then wash the whole garment. Light coloured silks are best dried flat. Silks can be ironed with heat, but if the silk is shiny on the outside, iron it on the reverse side. Also, some silks are better ironed without using water to avoid any water stains. These stains do go away when washed again, however. Steaming is an excellent choice for smoothing your dress.

Cashmere

Cashmere is a natural fiber and a type of wool. Cashmere, however, is finer, stronger, lighter, softer and more insulating than sheep wool. It is the softest & warmest fabric you can wear in the winter time. Cashmere is the most expensive fabric used in Lili Marleena -products. To make one cashmere sweater you need the wool produced by two cashmere goats in one year. It is criticized for not being the most sustainable fabric due to this factor, but luckily we use only leftover fabrics from others! Cashmere is said to be over 8 times warmer than regular wool. Cashmere can be washed and ironed in the same way as wool – hand wash in cold with a wool & silk washing powder, and iron with heat (if your cashmere dress is shiny, iron on the reverse side).

Wool

Wool is a natural fiber obtained from sheep. The wool used in Lili Marleena -garments is always of extremely high quality, not your regular wool. Wool is warm to wear. It is best treated by washing it by hand in cold with wool & silk washing powder, and then ironing it with heat.

Viscose

Viscose is a semi-natural fiber made from cellulose. It is not considered completely natural as it requires a lot of processing to me made into fabric. Viscose is comfortable to wear and it is breathable. Viscose in an easy fabric to treat – wash it in 30 degrees in your washing machine and iron with strong heat. A great fiber for everyday use!

Acetate

Acetate is a similar fabric to viscose. It is made from cellulose. The material feels and looks luxurious, and it is often thicker thank silk or viscose. Acetate should be washed by hand and iron very carefully on the reverse side with low heat. Acetate might melt if ironed with too much heat – be careful!

Cotton

Cotton is a natural fiber collected from cotton plants. It is thick and durable – so the perfect choice for everyday use! Cotton is soft, comfortable and breathable to wear. Cotton is criticized for being unsustainable as it requires a lot of water to grow. Cotton can be washed in 40 degrees in the washing machine and ironed with high temperature.

Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic fiber and used in Lili Marleena -products with careful consideration. It is mainly used in kimono coats or dresses under which I suggest you put something under. I recommend you to ventilate your dress/coat rather than wash. When polyester is washed, it releases micro-fibers that are harmful for the environment. The polyester we use looks fantastic, and gives a festive feel to your garment. It feels soft, but it doesn’t breathe in the same way as natural fibers, so not the fiber for the heat. Wash by hand in cold water and iron with attention – synthetic fibers have a tendency to melt when ironed with too much heat.

I hope this gave you some insight into the materials used in Lili Marleena -garments! Please ask if you’re unsure about something or need some specification on anything (@lilimarleena on Instagram).

Love to all,

Marleena

There’s a product category I’m deeply in love with myself, and I want to tell you a little more about it. I’m well aware of the easiness and popularity of the one size silk wrap dresses, they are super versatile and fit a wide range of bodies… but the thicker ones are equally amazing, and so cozy during these colder periods!

All the fabrics used in the thicker dresses/coats are of the highest possible quality. The wool of the Elegante coat is as high quality as most cashmeres. The wool is not something you find everyday, it is truly exceptional. The cashmere I use, is the softest I have seen so far anywhere.

These dresses/coats are not only of the highest quality materials, but they’re also a wonderful addition to any closet. They are a great choice for the (home) office, but also for a winter celebration, as the materials are so shiny and high quality. With the right accessorizing, you can adjust them to any occasion. They are also a perfect choice as an outdoor coat when it gets a little bit warmer. One of my favourite styles is to wear them open on top of my other dresses or a pair of a smart shirt and trousers.

Hope you’re all having a great week!

<3: Marleena

I find it logical to open a little the person behind this brand – as in Marleena Lehtonen living in Kallio, Helsinki, Finland. I’m in my early 30s and have always loved fashion and clothing. One could almost say it’s a passion for me.

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Great that you found yourself on my website. I’m Marleena and Lili Marleena is a brand I founded in 2019. First, I was selling mainly kimono inspired coats and wrap dresses to my inner circle and friends of friends, but slowly my clientele has grown to a point where I decided that I need to have my own web shop – so here it is. Hope you like it.

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