FTF researchers

Group leader

Kirsi Niinimäki

Associate Professor in Design, especially Fashion Research
kirsi.niinimaki at aalto.fi

Throughout my research I aim towards a new, holistic understanding in the field of sustainable fashion and textiles and therefore I investigate the connection between design, manufacturing systems, business models and consumption habits.

Julia Valle-Noronha

Doctor of Arts, Assistant Professor in Fashion Design
julia.valle at aalto.fi

I am a designer-researcher-educator that understands fashion as a major force in driving change towards more responsible futures. My research interest explores this potential especially from the perspectives of fashion design and wearing practices, as well as education. Brazilian born and raised, I approach the field from an outlook that praises diversity and holds being with the earth at its core.

Anubhuti Bhatnagar

Doctor of Science, Post-doctoral Researcher
anubhuti.bhatnagar at aalto.fi

Research funded by: T-REX

I have always been interested in finding solutions for waste management. My research has been related to converting unutilized food and farm waste to new products like chemicals, fuels, or fertilizers. I have also been interested in calculating the potential impact of a technological intervention in waste management on the environment and society. My current research is related to assessing the social performance of various textile waste recycling methods developed to reintroduce this waste into the supply chain.

Ingvill Fossheim

Doctoral Researcher
ingvill.fossheim at aalto.fi

Research funded by: BioColour research project

My research is located at the intersection of contemporary costume design, systems thinking, and biobased material development. Through costume design praxis it explores ways in which natural colourants and biofabricated matter can afford new aesthetic qualities to an artistic work, as well as induce meaning and value beyond the scope of the live performative event. In addition to FTF I am also affiliated with the Costume in Focus research group.

Leonardo Hidalgo

Doctoral Researcher
leonardo.hidalgouribe at aalto.fi

Research funded by: Kalevala Koru Cultural Foundation

My research explores the practice of natural dyeing within a local context, and examines the intersections between traditional ecological knowledge, colour, aesthetics and textile design. I have a background in weaving, dyeing and printing for fashion and interior fabrics, developing textile collections and coordinating colour palettes. Through textile practice, I have been interested in navigating the relationships between culture, place, materials and colour. My research aims to integrate local knowledge with methods of using biocolours in textiles. 

Mithila Mohan

Doctoral Researcher
mithila.mohan at aalto.fi

My background lies in textile and multi-functional material design. A weaver at heart, my practice often reflects a reverence for material experimentation and exploration. My research examines the principles of biomimicry within the practice of textile and sustainable design for developing dynamic shape-changing yarns and fabrics that respond to environmental stimuli. Adopting an iterative and reflective design approach and regarding textiles as hierarchical structures, much like plants, the research seeks to explore strategies that augment the behaviour of fibres and yarns through various fabric-construction parameters. In my practice I strive to find solutions with nature and aspire to blur the boundaries of traditional craft, design, and emerging technologies.

Elina Lewe

Doctoral Researcher
elina.lewe at aalto.fi

Research funded by: FINIX and T-REX research project

I have a background in sustainable business development and social sciences. My research focuses on consumer behaviour in the textile sector, looking into perceived values and risks and how these relate to the consumer's participation in circular textile practices, like repairing, recycling or purchasing second-hand textile products. The objective is to understand the consumer behaviour of different consumer groups and based on that to develop frameworks for consumer-centered activities that support and engage consumers in making more ethical consumption choices.

Elina Määttänen

Doctoral Researcher
elina.maattanen at aalto.fi

I’m a fashion designer/maker, with a background from fashion houses and contemporary brands to engaging interdisciplinary art projects. As a doctoral researcher, I’m researching how closing the outflow from the wardrobe could affect the lived experience with already-owned clothes. My design practice is re-designing made-to-measure clothes using existing unused clothing from the person's wardrobe. The goal is to bring calmness to the wardrobe. Engaging the public about clothes, personal style and dressing, not driven by brands and consumption is important to me, so as part of my research, I’m hosting a podcast.