News

Aalto University’s fashion students’ works at an exhibition in Tokyo

The fashion students’ collections are presented at an invitational exhibition at the famous 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT Gallery 3 in Tokyo, Japan on 2–3
December, 2017.
Designers (L -R): Ellen Rajala, Tina Verbic, Hanna-Maaria Sinkkonen

The exhibition will show thesis collections by Master’s students Hanna-Maaria Sinkkonen and Tina Verbic as well as Bachelor’s student Ellen Rajala. The "Discovery in Process" exhibition is co-operated by Aalto University, the Finnish Institute in Japan, design exhibition space 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT and local Tama Art University, and it is part of the centennial of Finland.

“The expertise of our students is of great interest throughout the world. This exhibition is a good opening in Japan and a way to promote our education programme to the fashion conscious Asian market", says Professor, Fashion Design Pirjo Hirvonen from Aalto University.

The Finnish Institute in Japan, together with 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, has invited Aalto University's fashion programme to Tokyo. Tama Art University, a long-standing partner school of the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture is a local partner in the "Discovery in Process" exhibition.

In addition to the exhibition, a panel discussion “Educating Creative Fashion Professionals” will be organized, moderated by fashion journalist Junsuke Yamasaki. The panel participants are Japanese fashion designer, Hyères winner 2016  Wataru Tominaga, Hyères finalist 2016 and Aalto and Tama alumni Akino Kurosawa and Aalto University’s exchange student in textile design 2013 Yuki Kawakami. Aalto University will be presented by Lecturer of Fashion Tuomas Laitinen and Designer-in-Residence Anna Ervamaa.

21_21 DESIGN SIGHT is a design institute directed by world-famous designers Issey Miyake, Taku Satoh, Naoto Fukasawa and journalist Noriko Kawakami. The Finnish Institute in Japan has recently opened up cooperation with the institute. “21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, operating on the interface of design, is one of the most interesting organizations in Tokyo. Its directors are among the most influential actors within the fashion and design industry in Japan. We are pleased to present Finnish fashion and design expertise in Tokyo to celebrate Finland's 100th anniversary," says Head of Culture and Communications Kati Laakso from the Finnish Institute in Japan.

After the exhibition, Artek opens a pop-up exhibition and shop in the same space. The Finnish Institute in Japan has invited Finnish designers to the event, among others, Aalto University's alumni, the Young Designer of the Year 2016 Laura Väinölä.

More information:

Professor, Fashion Design Pirjo Hirvonen, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Tel. +358 50 363 6011, pirjo.hirvonen@aalto.fi

Head of Culture and Communications Kati Laakso, Finnish institute in Japan, Tel. 81 90 3058 8764, kati.laakso@finstitute.jp

Tama Art University:

21_21 DESIGN SIGHT:

“Discovery in Process” exhibition is open 2–3 December at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT Gallery 3. Address: Midtown Garden, Tokyo Midtown, 9-7-6 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Colourful general image promoting Aalto Creatives pre-incubator programme
Campus, Cooperation, Press releases Published:

Applications open: Aalto Creatives pre-incubator autumn 2026

The next Aalto Creatives pre-incubator starts in September. Applications close on 7 September. Join the info event on 27 August to hear from alumni and meet the Aalto Creatives team.
Outdoor wooden daybeds with sheer beige curtains in a ruined courtyard garden with tall plants.
Cooperation, Press releases, Research & Art Published:

A Finnish working group’s artwork brings a cooling garden to Spain, which is sweltering in the heat

Through their garden art installation, a group of Finnish architects and artists proposes vegetation and a sense of community, among other things, as solutions to urban heat islands and the environmental crisis.
Five people holding large yellow emoji faces in front of them, standing side by side against a white background
Press releases, Research & Art Published:

RealYou AI will develop the next generation of personalized AI decision assistants

Researchers to build cognitive machine learning that will improve decision-making with instantly personalized intelligent assistance.
Round beige honeycomb-pattern mat with wicker baskets on bright blue background
Press releases, Research & Art Published:

Researchers identify new superconductors, unlocking process that could yield thousands more

Physicists have used machine-learning to discover two new superconductors––it represents a substantial step towards realising massive energy efficiency gains from superconductivity.