Aalto University's Näytös21 online this year

Aalto's spring fashion events have become a focal point for the world's fashion, clothing, and textiles industries, with international media, buyers, and Finnish influencers actively following it. This year, the culmination of Fashion in Helsinki, the Aalto fashion show Näytös21 will be organised online. The collections will be published on Friday 28 May at 21:00 (EET) at aalto.fashion

The corona pandemic has had a major impact on the entire fashion industry, general working methods and, of course, on Aalto University students as well. Although restrictions have largely prevented students from working on the campus, the situation has, nevertheless, encouraged students to cooperation and creative problem solving. The exceptional year is visible in the collections of the young designers.

"A strong sense of community and caring have been evident during the pandemic, despite remote learning. The students also consider issues related to sustainable development and diversity. Current themes are visible. Despite the exceptional situation, the quality has not been compromised. The artistic vision, designs, and technical skills are of the essence, "says Pirjo Hirvonen, Professor of Fashion Design at Aalto University.

Designing Näytös21 online for the first time has enabled a new type of multidisciplinary cooperation between Aalto University students and researchers. The Aalto Studios media centre has been closely developing the digital dimension. In addition, the sound design, visual identity, and photography of the lookbooks are all by the Aalto community. 

Fashion in Helsinki exhibitions in downtown Helsinki 

Fashion in Helsinki, from 22 to 30 May, brings the work of Aalto University students and alumni to the city space in the form of various exhibitions and installations.

The Aalto Fashion 21 exhibition in Kämp Galleria (entrance from Mikonkatu) shows samples of the work presented in this year's Näytös21 fashion show. Alisa Närvänen is responsible for the curation of the exhibition.

The work of Venla Elonsalo, Arttu Åfeldt,and Sofia Ilmonen, who reached the top at the French Hyères fashion competition, will be presented in Kämp Galleria (entrance from Aleksanterinkatu) and in the Artek shop window (Keskuskatu). 

15 Wonders exhibition in Kämp Gallerian top floor features material experiments and bold visions by Aalto University fashion students and new sustainable material innovations such as Bio2X, Infinited Fiber Company and Ioncell. The exhibition is co-produced by Juni Communication and Finnish Embassy in Berlin.

Aalto Fashion popup shop A Corner will open on the second floor of Kämp Galleria, and displays unique pieces from Aalto Fashion designers, such as Carolina Forss, Katariina Klimenko, Linda Kokkonen, and Ellen Rajala.

Fashion in Helsinki online

From Thursday 27 May onwards The Fashion in Helsinki website offers interviews with professionals in the field, where they reflect on the future prospects of fashion and on the position of otherness in fashion.  Participants will include  fashion designer Martine Rose, Celine´s show studio manager Kaisa Kinnunen, Vestoj´s founder and editor-in-chief Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, Deputy Editor in Chief Vogue Italia and Head of Vogue Talents Sara Maino and director of Cristóbal Balenciaga Museoa Miren Vives Almandoz. Experts are interviewed by journalist Aino Frilander and fashion designer and journalist Ervin Latimer.

More detailed fashion week programme and exhibition opening hours and location information can be found on the Fashion in Helsinki website at www.fashioninhelsinki.com

Further information:
aalto.fashion
Näytös21 collections are launched on Fri 28 May at 21:00 (EET).
Visit the site for interviews of Aalto students, behind the scenes footage and more. 

Fashion in Helsinki 22 May - 30 May
fashioninhelsinki.com