How did they start and when did the two companies merge?
LL: The history is quite amazing for both brands, but in different ways. Kalevala has always been very Finnish, about Finnish roots and Finnish culture; Lapponia from the very start wanted to be quite universal, and it still is. Kalevala was founded in 1937. There were these very strong ladies who wanted to have a statue for Finnish women. And to raise money for that, they started to sell jewellery. The Winter War interrupted plans for the statue but, by accident, they founded this company that is still here – and is still owned by the same organisation. Kalevalaisten Naisten Liitto is a non-profit cultural association with 4,000 female members. The history of Lapponia is totally different. As Kalevala was about strong ladies, Lapponia was about strong men. Pekka Antilla was a goldsmith who 50 years ago wanted to make a revolution in jewellery business. Instead of making something nice and pretty, he wanted it to be something almost frightening and intriguing. Then, together with his f
