Aalto University's flagship event for fashion and textile expertise äö/äٳٱ25 now bigger than ever
äö/äٳٱ25 is a two-part event. You can follow the äö25 fashion show live online at aalto.fashion or on Instagram @aalto_fashion on Thursday 22 May 2025 from 20:30. äٳٱ25, which exhibits textile, clothing and fashion concepts in the form of an exhibition, will be open to the public from 16 to 31 May 2025 in the Väre building on Otaniemi campus.
Finnish fashion and textile know-how is in high demand
Fashion reflects society around us and is constantly changing. A world currently struggling with a sustainability crisis is in particular need of the positive force provided by the creative industries. Good design can bring more value, beauty and humanity out of scarcity — with radically fewer natural resources than before. At the same time, social and cultural responsibility can be strengthened.
There is a demand for visionary Finnish expertise: our strengths include an operating culture that is different from fast fashion, outstanding materials expertise and an understanding of circular economy models. Aalto University is a strong actor in this development, providing the sector with unique design expertise from world-class teaching. Aalto University has established itself as a major educator of professionals in the global fashion and textile industries.
An exceptionally wide range of new thinking in fashion and textile design
This year, Aalto University's äö/äٳٱ25 event will offer an exceptionally wide range of new thinking in fashion and textile design. Taking place in the new Marsio building on campus, äö will present fashion in a traditional runway show. Näyttely in the adjacent Väre building will feature not only clothing and fashion but also video works, performances, concepts created in multidisciplinary collaboration and textile-focused works such as interior textiles. äö/äٳٱ25 is undoubtedly one of the most important fashion and textile events in Finland and part of the wider Fashion in Helsinki week.
"Creativity, vision and collaboration are the overarching themes of äö/äٳٱ25. It is also noteworthy that our digital world is counterbalanced by a strong emphasis on craftsmanship, appreciation of materials and other values of a slower life," says Ilona Hyötyläinen, Head of the Bachelor's Fashion Major and manager of the entire äö/äٳٱ25 event.
Elina Peltonen, the äö25 event's creative director and fashion lecturer, emphasises the importance of wide-ranging collaboration: “This year, the electrified atmosphere of äö is created from the language and world of performance art. Aalto University's new Marsio building will serve as a two-part stage for the entire äö/Näyttely event, in line with the diptych concept, which can also be seen in this year’s visual identity. The lights, designed by Jenni Pystynen, will play a major role. The choreography and music are done in collaboration with Aalto students."
The äٳٱ25 concept allows for a spectacular display of diverse works that do not necessarily have to be worn. äٳٱ25 creative directors Maarit Salolainen, Professor of Textile Design and Head of the MA Major in Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design and Julia Valle Noronha, Assistant Professor in Fashion Design say: ”Through Näyttely, we aim to highlight other dimensions of fashion and textiles, such as their narrative qualities, textility and tactility, as well as various aspects of sustainability and research orientation. The works reflect students’ critical views on the industry and showcase novel approaches that can radically change how fashion and textiles are designed, produced, and experienced today. The äٳٱ25 concept particularly emphasises the importance of background research and process for master's level theses.”
Wide network of partners involved
The main partner of the äö/äٳٱ25 event is the City of Espoo, whose youth jury will also award one of the collections. "äö/äٳٱ25 will provide unique insight into the creativity and potential of young people. For us, it is important that the City of Espoo's selection of the winning collection is made by a jury of young people from Espoo," says Susanna Tommila, Cultural Director of Espoo.
The partnership between Aalto University and Föreningen Konstsamfundet is deepening. "Konstsamfundet wants to be an enabler for young creative people and new ideas. The cooperation with Aalto University is a natural fit for us, and we are now planning to expand it in the coming years," says Stefan Björkman, CEO of Föreningen Konstsamfundet. Joint plans for äö/Näyttely26 will be announced in early June.
Other collaboration partners of äö/äٳٱ25 include Marimekko, Fiskars, EMMA-museum, shopping centre AINOA and Bloom Agency. Finnish Textile & Fashion as well as significant private donations have made äٳٱ25 possible.
äö/äٳٱ25 event information
The fashion show can be followed live online at or on Instagram @aalto_fashion on Thursday 22 May 2025 from 20.30.
The exhibition is open 16.-31.5.2025 at Otaniemi campus, in the main lobby of the Väre building at Otaniementie 14, Espoo
Free admission
Exhibition opening hours:
Mon-Fri 10-20
Sat 10-17
Sun closed
(exceptions: Wed 21 May 10-17, Thu 22 May 10-18, Tue 27 May 10-17)
Background information, collections and documentation of äö/äٳٱ25 will be published on the websites and
Instagram: aalto_fashion and aalto_textiles
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