design: 2012 world design capital, Helsinki create global change through design

Scandanavia was last highlighted in our ‘white luxe’ theme for a/w 09/10 and Synergy for a/w 11/12. For Helsinki, being the world design capital means developing, advancing and improving our everyday lives in 2012 and beyond. Finns think of design as a human oriented and open activity.

According to the WDC director Pekka Timonen “this is an opportunity for the city to introduce global change through design”. The Finns like things to be made beautifully with a feeling of crafted heritage, even with modern production the craft aspect of design is still important today in many fields of design. The Finns are also masters in innovation, for instance Nokia the Finnish mobile phone giant made rubber boots until the 1980s.

Unlike Denmark and Sweden, Finnish design is not understated. In terms of fashion, Marimekko designer Vuokko Nurmesniemi, a brand loved by Jackie Kennedy, set the benchmark for Finnish fashion in the 1960s, setting the industry to flourish until the 1980s.

Below are some key examples of Finnish design to feast upon:

Johanna Gullichsen: Textile designer who sells her hand woven wares in her 2 stores, one in Helsinki and the other in Paris.

Ivana Helsinki: Created by designer Paola Ivana Suhonen combining folklore and Scandinavian roots.

Tiia Vanhatapio: Alternative cocktail dresses.

Minna Parikka: Designs shoes made of the finest materials.

Marimekko: The vangaurd of Finnish style.

Ittalia: Glasswork that represents Finnish design. iittalia.com

Artek: Furniture brand founded by Finlands best loved designer Alvar Aalto.

Image source:  marimekko.com