Aalto University's visionary young experts show the world where the fashion industry is headed

Helsinki is well on its way to become a metropol of fashion. Finnish fashion brands are expanding to international markets, designers can be found in central, large fashion houses, and international competitions result in a raft of awards. Students of Aalto University's Fashion, clothing and textile design (FACT) master's degree programme achieve great success in all of these areas.

International media and professionals active in the field meet in Helsinki in May to find out where the industry is going according to the young stars. During the Fashion in Helsinki event week running from 24 to 29 May 2019, Aalto University will present its expertise to both specialists and the general public through two seminars and the Näytös19 fashion show. 

Aalto Fashion Seminar: the concept of fashion is expanding

Aalto Fashion Seminar for professionals, journalists and students will take place at AmosRex on Tuesday 28 May 2019 from 10.00 to 15.00. The main speakers at the event are Francesco Risso, Artistic Director of Marni, Vogue's Fashion Editors Azza Yousif and Laird Borrelli-Persson, and Miren Arzalluz, Director and Curator of Palais Galliera's fashion museum in Paris.The seminar will be moderated by Dan Thawley, Paris Editor of Vogue Italia, and Editor in Chief of A Magazine Curated By.

Presenting the work of Aalto University alumni, the SIXREX entity will be on display as part of the seminar programme. It presents six different overall concepts that expand the understanding of fashion in directions such as performance, architecture and societal engagement. Among others, the presented works include Matti Liimatainen's garment construction kits, which can be combined by the user, Maria Korkeila's punk aesthetics, Kasia Gorniak’s performance of the body, JUSLIN-MAUNULA minimalism in space, Alisa Närvänen’s and Elina Peltonen’s joint project ensaemble’s examination of cultural encounters and linguistic understanding, and Sasu Kauppi’s multidisciplinary brand SSSU.

"Today's designers operate naturally within international networks and create completely new types of professional cooperation across the borders. The concept of fashion is expanding," says Pirjo Hirvonen.

Fashion Wednesday: fashion and materiality

Fashion Wednesday, organised in Kiasma on Wednesday 29 May 2019, explores the significance of fashion and materiality. An installation curated from the collections of Aalto University's fashion design students will open to viewers from 10.00 to 18.00. You are also welcome to participate in a discussion inspired by Kiasma’s current exhibition Shoplift, which takes place between 16.00 and 18.00.

The displayed collections deal with issues such as identity, masculinity and femininity, responsibility perspectives such as the sharing of clothing and recycled materials, and new design and manufacturing methods, such as seamlessness.

Näytös19: front-row seats to industrial change

The jewel in the fashion week's crown is Näytös19, which takes place on Wednesday 29 May at 21.00 at the Cable Factory's Merikaapelihalli. The event has become one of the most internationally respected exhibitions of student fashion, and the catwalk displays the collections of selected students from Aalto University. The fashion show has been sold out, but it is possible to watch a live-streaming of the event on Yle Areena.

The Fashion in Helsinki week is organised jointly by Aalto University and Juni Communication & Production.

Read more:

• Fashion degree programme
• Fashion Seminar
• Fashion Wednesday
• Näytös18
• Fashion in Helsinki 24.5.–29.5.2019