������

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