Eva-Liisa has followed Björk Hijoort, the artist, lock enthusiast, and welder-to-be, on social media for quite a while now, and she's always been amused by her dark, princess-living-in-a-haunted-car-repair-shop style. Finally, she got the chance to photograph her and here's a glimpse of what’s underneath the corsets, lace, and chunky platforms. They met at an old tuberculosis sanatorium in Southern Finland. What a beautiful place!
When did you realize that clothes matter?
My mother was a theater actress, and from an early age, I realized that clothes were a way to send a message – to communicate, perform, and embody a role. It was something more than just garments you put on your body. Clothes could tell an entire story about a person – where they come from, what they’ve been through, and what they stand for. I also remember seeing garments being made in the costume department and noticing the creativity that goes into clothing, and the fine line between fashion and costume.
Skirt is from Humana Second Hand in Stockholm; it’s originally from Danskompaniet, which makes me hope someone danced ballet in it before I found it. The corset and top are from the second-hand store 2nd Street in Tokyo, shoes are from Lamoda, and the necklace is from Myrorna Vintage. I’d say this is a classic example of a “staple outfit” – when in doubt, this combination works no matter the occasion.
What are your earliest memories related to clothing?
I remember the silver buckle on my dad’s boots, and I remember the big floral pattern and shoulder pads on my mom’s blouse.
How did you dress in high school and university? When did your current style start to take shape? What influenced it?
It all started with falling in love with music for the first time. My first loves were metal, black metal, goth, synth, and other alternative genres. With that, I also went headfirst into these different subcultures – and keep in mind, this was before social media. Music influenced the way I started dressing and, paradoxically, it also felt like it shielded me from a lot of bullying. I looked alternative, and of course, some kids tried to make fun of me, but it never bothered me because I felt so strongly that I belonged to something. I even remember people saying I looked like a ghost because I wore a lot of white foundation – I took that as a compliment.Deeply rooted in these subcultures is the DIY element. You create your own outfits and find items that make your look unique. There’s a lot of joy and creativity in expressing who you are and what you stand for through what you wear. That sense of belonging and safety has shaped the way I’ve continued to dress throughout my life. Over time, as you grow less insecure, you start experimenting even outside your subculture, and through that combination, I’ve developed the way I dress today.
Funny enough, this is my coworker’s ex-wife’s wedding dress. I got it during my second apprenticeship at Svenska Teatern, and I’ve worn it surprisingly often throughout the summer! The most memorable time was a beautiful day trip to Suomenlinna with my husband. The puffy princess sleeves, lace, and pearl details are such a treat for the eyes and perfect for days when I feel extra fairytale-like. Shoes are from Yosuke.
Why do some people know how to dress well while others don’t? Where does style begin?
I think nobody can decide how someone should dress except the person wearing the clothes. You’re the only one who gets to make that call – it’s nobody else’s business. And this might sound cheesy, but in my opinion, confidence is the best look, no matter what you wear. Personally, I love seeing how people experiment with self-expression. But that’s just my opinion – it doesn’t define what looks good or not.
How do you see clothes as a form of communication?
I definitely see clothes as an art form – the way you dress can be a kind of visual storytelling. I also wake up every morning thinking about what to wear; I find a lot of joy in creating little stories in my head about each outfit. At the end of the day, we’re all performing – so why not wear a costume? I also love wearing “occasion” pieces in everyday life, like wedding dresses and gowns. People should wear more gowns on a random Tuesday!
Blouse is from UFF, bustier from Myrorna in Stockholm, skirt from a second-hand shop in Tokyo, and shoes from Yosuke. Headpiece is from Kierrätyskeskus. I love digging for treasures – that’s why Kierrätyskeskus is one of my absolute favorite stores. This headpiece, for example, was hidden among napkins and kitchen textiles in a big pile. I call this outfit my “ghost nurse” look, and I’d even wear it to a business meeting.
Why do you enjoy hunting for special pieces?
Growing up in a single-parent household, my brother and I got most of our clothes secondhand. I remember my mom making it fun – showing us that in secondhand stores, there’s only one of everything! I think my love for finding unique, special items started at a very young age.
The first rack I go to in a well-sorted second-hand shop like UFF Vintage is the one with matching sets – suits and skirt-and-blazer combinations. A well-known trick to look like you have your act together is to wear a matching set. This one is from UFF, but I’ve altered it quite a bit myself. Shoes are from Lamoda, and the balaclava is from Etsy.
This gorgeous gown is from Beyond Retro in Stockholm. I tried it on just for fun, but it turned out to be the perfect fit – as if it had been tailored to my exact measurements. The lovely shop assistant even gave me a generous discount because of some minor damages, but mostly because she said, “You just have to get this dress – it fits you uncannily perfectly.” I was flying home to Finland on a 6 a.m. flight the next day, and I actually had to wear the gown while flying back because there was no way it would fit in my carry-on bag – which was all I had with me. Shoes are from Qooza in Tokyo.
In what way are clothes memory keepers for you?
Clothes can function as little time capsules. I think most of us have garments in our wardrobes that we no longer wear but choose to keep because they hold meaningful memories.
Are there clothes you miss and wish you still had?
I had this white, fringe leather jacket – my personal Moby Dick of garments – that I never got to wear, even though I biked over 300 miles through Europe with it, despite it taking up far too much space to be practical or reasonable. It was a gift, and it accidentally got thrown away before I ever got to wear it. I still think about that jacket to this day – and this happened over ten years ago.
What matters most in your everyday outfit?
Since I work in a field that requires protective gear and the classic blue overalls, I wear a uniform most days. When I’m not required to wear it, the most important thing is that my outfit aligns with my current state of mind – whatever that may be.
I wore this dress to a music festival in Amsterdam, and it was perfect – even through the after-party. I can’t remember which vintage store I bought it from, but it’s definitely second-hand. The shoes are Demonia, bought from the legendary store C.U.M. Clubwear in Stockholm. Nowadays, my mannequin Fiona wears this dress most days.
Whose style has caught your eye in Estonia and abroad, and why?
I briefly met the creative stylist and MUA Liisa-Chrislin Saleh at Fankadelik Vintage in Tallinn. She also makes incredible jewelry, and I’m often inspired by her innovative and fearless approach to self-expression.