I tried to prepare for my DDW trip by emailing to my Dutch friends asking for some Eindhoven tips. These most kindest and liberal people from Amsterdam had suddenly unusual tone in their answers. They had never been in Eindhoven and almost couldn't care less. I sensed some kind of understatement.

Dutch Design week's programme with its Eindhoven hype turned out to be a bit overdone and I got the Amsterdamsters' point. Eindhoven = Lahti.

But what I don't like, is this kind of juxtaposition between the cities. Stupidity. Automatically Amsterdam people seemed to prefer themselves more cooler, more creative, smarter and better in every ways. But that's the deal in every country, I guess.  

Ha. But Coolest Eindhoven creatives didn't give a shit. They enjoyed their freedom and didn't have any interests to play this Hot or Not game. So over it. No big city complexies. 

Party at Le Piek Noir gallery – I felt at home there. An exhibition in a warehouse setting which presented the work of like-minded artists and designers who live and work in Eindhoven.

My well respected Finnish company considered the quality of the art works entertaining and magnificent. At the same time you could feel the laid back spirit and happiness.

And if there is happiness, there is always the Swedes – I met some random Stockholm art school friends at Le Piek Noir, and we had couple of skåls together. Fun night.

La Piek Noir party, Kleine Berg 28, 17th October

The brightest star of the night was definetely illustrator Rop Van Mierlo. Actually, the brightest star of the whole DDW!