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Master’s degree students from the Department of Design at the Aalto University’s School of Arts, Design and Architecture designed graduation gowns and hats for the MBA and Executive MBA graduates of Aalto University Executive Education (Aalto EE). The gowns and hats reflect the Aalto EE brand and quality, while highlighting Aalto’s position as the leading Nordic design school.

Various types of gowns and hats are commonly used in MBA graduation ceremonies around the world. For this reason, Aalto EE wanted to introduce unique and modern graduation outfits that reflect the dignity of the ceremony. Another criterion for the design was comfort, since a ceremony like this requires light and breathable materials.

'Our students, Eveliina Ronkainen and Ksenia Afanasjeva, understood exactly what we wanted. It is an honour to be able to provide graduating executives with outfits designed by these talented young people. The new graduation gowns and hats were used for the first time in the November graduation ceremony of the Aalto Executive MBA program; they attracted well-deserved praise from the graduates and the audience,' says Director Riitta Lumme-Tuomala who was responsible for the project at Aalto EE.

Professor of Color and Material Design Jaana Beidler and Lecturers Jane Palmu and Ilona Hyötyläinen played key roles in the 12-month project.

'This project was both exciting and challenging because the outfits are intended for long-term use and the actual occasion on which they are worn poses a number of restrictions on their design. However, the students found well-functioning solutions to meet these requirements. We also created a production path for the graduation outfits, from vendors of materials and supplies to sewing work. Pattern design teacher Jane Palmu made an indispensable contribution in this regard. The design and production of these graduation outfits involved a lot of work, decision-making and collaboration,' concludes Ilona Hyötyläinen from Aalto University.