Finnish fashion showcase event, Fashion in Helsinki, receives state export subsidy

With the grants, Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture promotes activities, collaboration and networking of Finnish creative industries. Aalto University received a grant for the implementation of Fashion in Helsinki event. 

‘Fashion in Helsinki is the most prominent showcase of Finnish fashion, and I am confident that the event will further strengthen the industry’s development and promote success of our fashion designers in international competitions,’ explains the Minister for European Affairs, Culture and Sport, Sampo Terho in the ministry’s press release.

Anna Valtonen, Vice President for Art and Creative Practices at Aalto University, is excited about Finland’s flourishing fashion scene. ‘Fashion in Helsinki is one of Aalto University's flagship artistic activities. Aalto University educates internationally acknowledged, top-level designers that are renewing the fashion and textile industry, a global sector worth hundreds of billions of euros. Finland's greatest potential is the unique combination of high-level design and material engineering expertise. We are able to design visionary and ecologically sustainable products,’ she says.

In the most recent ranking of Business of Fashion in 2017, Aalto University's fashion programme ranked fifth in the world. Its global competitiveness can be seen at Näytös, the main event of Fashion in Helsinki, which brings talent scouts, trend analysts, and the media to see the collections of future top designers.

Pirjo Hirvonen, professor of fashion design at Aalto University, is pleased that the Ministry has acknowledged the results of goal-oriented cooperation with industry. ‘In addition to our high level of artistic skill we have systematically supported and helped renew businesses. Each year, we organise an international fashion seminar together with Juni Communication, as well as alumni events and tours, which bring together various players in the field, as well as students and alumni. Fashion in Helsinki is an international forum for professionals to get to know the latest talents and local brands. In this way we support exports and increase the visibility and attractiveness of Finnish design.’

The world-leading fashion houses have competed for Aalto graduates, who have often left Finland after graduation. Hirvonen is delighted that this trend has begun to change. ‘In November, Garden
a commercial showroom for Finnish fashion, opened at Kämp Galleria in Helsinki. It is a good platform for emerging Finnish fashion brands, many of which originate at Aalto University. In January, at Pitti Uomo, the leading men’s fashion event in Italy, a collection bearing the name of our student Rolf Ekroth, and his clothing collection designed for Terinit were featured in Vogue magazine. It was great that his own collection was also realised because he got an external investor. I hope to see more openings like this,’ Hirvonen says.

Fashion in Helsinki Week is 27-29 May 2019. The Fashion Seminar will take place on Tuesday 28 May in Helsinki and Näytös19 will be held at the Helsinki Cable Factory on Wednesday 29 May. 

Read more:

Press release (in Finnish)