The story is a combined effort by @8_jennyy, @anupoukka, @Glambertttt, @xWhenLoveFails, @AdaJohnsson, @Margottex, Marianne Passi os Sundström, @Taateli1, @Maruzel and Mervi Talvikki Tuisku


When the news broke out on Tuesday night that Sauli would be hosting Näytös XII fashion show in Helsinki, Finland on Friday 25th May, there was immediate googling about the show, venue & ticket sales. No question about it – we need need to be there! (We meaning his Finnish followers)

13 tickets were bought on Wednesday morning. And somewhere during the few exciting days it was agreed that since this is Sauli's night, if we were going to meet Sauli none of us would mention his boyfriend. We were going to the fashion show to support Sauli!

On Friday we met at Kamppi shopping mall for pre-show drinks and most importantly to buy Sauli a gift from all of us. Ada had designed and made a card for him.

We knew the show would be on between 18:30 and 22:00, and it would be televised live. We still needed to figure out how to get good seats, and to find a way for meeting Sauli after the show.

Large crowd had gathered outside the venue and it was clear this event was important for the Finnish fashion scene! Stylists, designers, students, fashion bloggers, photographers, journalists, shop owners – you could spot familiar faces in the crowd. Finally at 18:30(ish) the doors opened.

There were three runways – or more like walkways – main one in the middle and two on both sides. The invitation only seats were on the middle but from both sides you were able to choose any seat! By the time we got in the front rows were already taken. We were happy to take a seat from second or third row – the only question was where will the hosts be? We need good view to Sauli!

It was almost seven, when the music changed and a number 1 appeared on the main screen. Show was on! First model walked in and first collection was being presented! WTF??? Where are the introductions? Where is the commentary? Where are the hosts? All we could do was to enjoy the show. Lots of clapping, photos, tweets.

Collection after collection from the Aalto University M.A. graduates was presented. Music changed in between the collections. We were getting restless. Last collection was out. Designers walked the runway with the models. Some of the designers were rewarded. Still no sign of Sauli.

Then it was announced there will be half an hour break before the second part of the show. What shall we do – we need to ask someone! We found out that the commentary is being filmed in another building! Whaaat?? Where? Can we get in? We first got information that the filming is in Makasiini – great, but where is it – to the left from the venue and a walk. Should we try our luck or stay for the second half of the show? There’s no guarantee that we would actually get in to the building where Sauli is. Anyone else to ask from – let’s try the TV camera crew. And the closest camera operators were the most helpful two persons possible!!!!

We got the directions to the building where the commentary was being filmed – turn left from the venue door, walk across the square past a penguin and a snowman, and then take the stairs up to the commentary room. And out we went in the last possible minute before the second show started – cameras were already turned on and everyone else was almost on their place for the second part of the Näytös XII.

Left - got that, across the square - yes, and by this time we were all laughing – anyone seen a penguin and a snowman??? There!! FOUND THEM. What was next? Stairs – up. There were stairs outside the building – cannot be those. Few people were out smoking in front of a door that had a sign Näytös XII viewing room – that must be it. But it looks like - by invitation only!!

Shit! We got to try! We walked in – no one stopped us at the door. Stairs!! UP! Two waitresses facing us. Busted – we are soooo busted!!!

Instead we were asked: Would you like sparkling wine?

Oh yes, please!!! And in we walked - straight into a lounge like room that had chairs on the right, huge screens on the left, and people standing around tables chatting. Cocktail reception type of a setting. We left our coats to the chairs, turned around – and – there he was – SAULI with a mic in his hand interviewing people.

We are here! All we have to do now is wait until the show is over!!

We didn’t have a chance for any waiting!! Funny looking lady walked towards us - production manager - and she simply said: Now that you are in, please join the crowd and take your places by the tables. FULL STOP.

So, there we were, watching the second half of the show from the screens in the commentary room right next to Sauli! On live TV! And it took about 15 sec before the first tweet or SMS came through – I can see Finnberts!!!

At first Sauli didn’t pay any attention to us. He was working! And he clearly was enjoying it! In between the interviews he looked around in the room, and realized there’s more people than before. A questioning glance here and there, but staying focused to his work.

The last interview was with a man trying on an outfit designed by Sasu Kauppi. For the interview Sauli needed to change place and walked right through the group of Finnberts! And to finish the show – back!

Once the filming was complete, Sauli gave back his mic, and returned to the table where majority of the interviews took place. Few words with co-host and staff, and then he seemed to be available to be approached.

One of us stopped Sauli and said, Sauli we have a gift for you and we're here because of you. We'd like to talk to you, please don't leave yet. Sauli smiled and his attention was 110% with us with that cute smile! "Really? You came to see me? I need to hug you." After the first hugs he asked: "How many are you???? I want to hug you all!!"

We also have a gift for you.

"No, you shouldn’t have. There’s no need to bring me any gifts. Really.

I’m getting more excited now than I did before all of this (meaning hosting the show)."

We gave him the gift and he looked buffled. A kiddie size suitcase with a circus motive on top?

We wanted to give you a thank you gift for all the joy and laughter you bring into our lives.

Sauli got our gift, and someone told that suitcase that the gift was in, could be given to Riff if Sauli doesn't need it himself. Sauli said: "Oh to Riff? I think he would like it." Then he saw the Moomin stuff and someone said we have noticed he doesn't have any Moomins. Sauli said; "Yeah I don't have Moomins!" Then we told him it is a swim ring and he laughed. "I guess you have seen that I like kids swim rings!"

Then he looked at the Thomas Sabo jewelry box and asked if he can open it. He put the suitcase on the table, took the case into his hands and started to remove the ribbon. While he was doing that he said: "You don't know how fantastic this is! This is absolutely fabulous! Sometimes I feel like - why? You don't need to, but when you do something like this, what else can I do but to be touched. Such a group here and just to see me!" The ribbon was placed on the table, and Sauli opened the case. "Wow, this is really cool!" His face tensed and it was almost as he was fighting back tears. For a nanosecond he choked. Then he lifted his head, smiled and looked straight into each of our eyes for a common thank you. "Kiitoksia!"

"Thank you guys! This is so great! I have one Thomas Sabo before – a feather – you might have seen that on my neck." We would like to see a picture of you wearing this one day. "Absolutely, I promise!"

And there’s a card for you! Ada has made it herself. "Oh really? You've captured everything, the raccoons, and the mug my mum sent me. Ooh, this is so nice!"

Around this time a woman approached us and asked if she could take few photos for Sauli's FB page. She introduced herself, and said she's from Sauli's PR company and managing his FB page amongst others. She had recognised some of us from the FB posts! We took few group photos with Sauli.

Then Sauli said -" Now, I’ve been working solid for a while and I really need to have a break. I mean - I REALLY need to have a break. I love the gift and I will be back in a while. But I just got to go for a break."

After a while we noticed that Sauli was back - and that he was speaking to one of us - 'I really wanted to let you know that we all are here because of you. We wanted to show that you have your own followers who support you, because of what you do and who you are. Some of us have been following you since BB, and some have noticed you from Tutka, but all of us are here because of the laughter and joy you are able to generate. You truly deserve all the things you've been able to achieve and you are so worth all of it. You need to believe in yourself completely and to be brave!'

Once Sauli was back, we took individual photos. The TV crew also wanted to take a photo of all of us with Sauli for YLE too, and this time with his co-host Anni! Then we took our own pics with Sauli, one by one. Or three in a pic. We talked more, about Jenny’s handbag (oh is that an original LV? Yes it is, I bought it to myself as a treat), if he was surprised to see us (a little), we gave him greeting from all the Finnish Sauli followers as well from Russia and Australia.

Of course with all the excitement cameras were not working properly – holder was not able to press the right button, and Sauli took the camera and explained – "you need to press this button for a while and then it takes the photo – like this!" – and for the pleasurable surprise of the camera holder she has few pics in her camera taken by Sauli!

At one point photos were taken with iPhone, and the phone screen returned to the basic setting. And (of course) the background pic was photo of one of the litographs in the Trespassing box set. "Nice looking background photo you have there!", Sauli said smiling. I think so too, said the phone owner, and see what’s on the other side – camera was flipped over to show pic of TommyJoe – "That’s ok too!" And that was the first and only hint of Adam the whole time - and it was initiated by Sauli himself.

Once everyone had their photo taken with Sauli he said: "Ok. I got to get going. Thank you for coming to meet me! I really appreciate this. Bye!"

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