Virta [Stream] – Gown for the President of Aalto University 2010
22.01.2010
For the inauguration, the President of Aalto University had a new gown and a chain of office to wear.
Virta [Stream] as a gown
Water is a prerequisite for life – stream of life. It connects cultures, carries knowledge and enables international cooperation. Stream as a word suits with Aalto University themes. It also describes the stream of electricity and wealth, continuous energy, movement and advancement – the stream of creation.
The basic idea behind the gown in is structural minimalism. The flat pattern for the gown is a circle and it sits on its wearer due to intakes that form a shape of an aureole on the shoulders. The circle describes unification, cooperation, continuity, strength and integrity. When worn, the hem of the gown forms the symbol of infinite; this describes the number of possibilities that is limitless. The gown's visual appearance is reduced to timelessness.
The materials used are historical; they have been chosen in compliance with the principles of sustainable development and their ergonomy in use has been taken into account. The gown's woollen fabric is of light, water and dirt repellent, sweat free, renewable and ecological material. Silk is also a renewable natural material and in linings it is smooth, strong and breathing.
The colour world of the gown is simple and restrained. Black and light grey give a distinguished air, and as neutral colours they complement the colour solutions for the chain of office as well as agreeing with the different colour doctoral hats representing different faculties.
Due to its structure, the hem of the gown is shorter in front, which makes moving easier. It is fixed from front with a hidden fastening, and there are openings for arms on the sides. For each Aalto University's President the gown is tailor-made.
Three become one in the President's chain
The most important element of the chain and at the same time the core of the Aalto University's story is three smaller chains fusing together to form a larger pendant chain reflecting cooperation. Each of the smaller chains symbolizes one of the schools forming the Aalto University.
The structure, technique and material of each chain are different. Their design is indebted in each case to the characteristics of the school at the background.
The chains are joined together by an unassuming middle part made of palladium. It represents a covenant and the space in the middle reflects transparency and openness. The circle shaped middle part is a simple and strong form, which communicates movement and pioneering spirit.
The part linking the middle section and the chains is movable. The solution enables different ways to use the chain of office. When the President's chain of office is used with the gown, the middle part of the chain is fixed in the gown near the heart. The location symbolizes feeling, passion and intuition behind rational thinking.
The design of the chain of office is respectful of handicraft and practicability. The wearer of the chain of office represents not only academic excellence but also applied work. This emphasizes the objective of Aalto University to create top research together with practical solutions. Traditions and past are respected, but in spite of that the whole is visually distinguishable and original, sustainably fresh, and reflecting unaffected style and pioneering spirit.
Gown
Design: Inni Pärnänen, MA
Patterns: Sari Kivioja, Patternmaker, TAIK
Realization: Reetta Myllymäki, Studio Supervisor TAIK
Chain
Design: Saara Renvall, MA
Realization: Aino Vepsäläinen (goldsmith's work) and Tuija Hietanen (pearl threading)
