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Aalto University's Näytös/Näyttely25event was unprecedentedly large this year, presenting a total of 45 thesis work. Out of all students graduating from both the Bachelor's Major in Fashion as well as the Master's Major in Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design, nine were awarded and four received an honorary mention. 

Näytös25 and Näyttely25 Awards and Honorary Mentions 

The Näytös25 Award went to Oliver O. Saarinen with his collection T-Shirt, T-Shirt, Construction Yard. The collection explores “everyday uniforms”. In his thesis, Saarinen explores how the person wearing the garment and the environment in which it is worn influence the notion of everyday clothing. What happens if we change the things we have gotten used to?

Näytös25 Honorary Mentions went to Marine Puumala’s concept I Have Lost My Marbles and Niklas Järvi’s Dressed Performance. 

The Näyttely25 Award was given to Autuas Ukkonen’s concept Mega Schön. It is a fictional doll brand full of fashion, friendship and fantasy. Playing with commercial aesthetics, Ukkonen approaches issues of diversity and inclusion in a playful way.

The Näyttely25 Honorary Mentions went to Kristin Ferrel’s Woven in Stone — Frozen in Time and Camilla Naukkarinen’s Salon Ready. 

The winners of the Näytös/Näyttely25 awards were selected by an international jury including Krzysztof J. Lukasik, Design Director of Italian fashion house Bottega Veneta, Malene Kristiansen, Associate Professor at the Royal Danish Academy in Denmark and Director of the Bachelor of Textile Design programme, and Alla Eisenberg, Associate Professor at the Parsons School of Design in New York and Doctoral researcher at Aalto University’s Department of Design.

Partners rewarded versatile skills

The Award partners of Näytös/Näyttely25 are the City of Espoo, Finnish Textile and Fashion, Marimekko, Fiskars, Konstsamfundet, EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art and Bloom Agency. 

Awarded concepts:

City of Espoo Award
Alba Arillo García 
Resonance: Dressing For Decay

“Alba Arillo García's project ”Resonance: Dressing For Decay" is an inspiring, unique and highly emotive piece. García approaches funerary dressing as a living, disintegrating entity. The project builds on material experiments with textile-like skins and membranes made from organic waste that decompose with the body. Taken as a whole, “Resonance” presents a new aesthetic for biomaterials and death care — one that nurtures grief, honours memory and transforms the body into part of the eternal cycle of life. Bio-based, recycled materials also offer new perspectives for the wider use of biodegradable textiles," said Susanna Tommila, Cultural Director of Espoo.

The City of Espoo is the main partner of the Näytös/Näyttely25 event. As last year, the City gathered a youth jury to decide on the winner. The jury members, aged 16-20 years, were introduced to the world of fashion by internationally acclaimed fashion designer and Aalto University lecturer Ervin Latimer.

Jury: Vanessa Aspbäck, Sofia Garmash, Kaspian Kallio, Ruu Pakarinen, Karina Salikhova, Tobia Sillanpää

Finnish Textile and Fashion Award
Vanessa Agostini
Noticing in the Forest

“The Finnish Textile and Fashion Award goes to Vanessa Agostini, whose collection stood out for its unique and consistent silhouette, showing a clear and confident design identity across all pieces. Her refined and contemporary vision, combined with thoughtful material choices, skilled weaving techniques, and a harmonious use of color, pattern, and texture, made the collection both editorial and commercially strong. With its ageless, seasonless appeal and signature style, Vanessa’s work shows real potential for a lasting career in fashion,” says Ana Kristiansson, head juror and Founder of Portia, Desinder & Apparel Entrepreneurship.

The Finnish Textile and Fashion Association has been instrumental in making Näyttely25 possible.

Jury: 
Taru Lahti, Head of Design and Product Development, Dimex, and Founding Partner of Hedvig Collection 
Marjut Rahkola, Art Director & Founder, Vimmacompany 
Jenny Jännäri, Journalist, Kauppalehti 
Ana Kristiansson, Founder of Portia, Desinder & Apparel Entrepreneurship 
Marja-Liisa Permikangas, Managing Director, Finnish Textile & Fashion

Marimekko Award
Otto Siponen
Dupes

”This year’s winner has with great skill and outstanding execution, designed garments that successfully occupy a space that is both abstract and literal. Garments that demonstrate to the fullest that minimalism is not about less, not about less color, less print, less material or less in terms of silhouettes. That minimalism is intentionally eliminating the unnecessary, making meaningful choices and executing to the highest standard. Each garment has a reason to be, fully and with intent occupying its own space, each garment becomes even more interesting in the dialogue with the other," says Satu Maaranen, Head Designer.

Jury: Satu Maaranen, Head Designer, Emmakaisa Kirves, Design Director of Ready-to-Wear and Bags & Accessories, Rebekka Bay, Creative Director    

Fiskars Award
Markus Anttonen
The Sensation of Cold

"Markus Anttonen subtly interprets bodily experiences into the language of forms. By focusing on movement, weight and touch, he has redefined how clothing can interact with the body — just as Fiskars products are designed to adapt to the movements of the wearer. The thoughtful use of materials and the instinctive design process also reflect Fiskars' values of craftsmanship, functionality and durability. This is an impressive and emotional collection that not only protects, but also unites," says Mari Rouvi, Fiskars PR Director.

Jury: Petteri Masalin, Chief Design Officer, Vesa Kemppainen, Art Director, Mari Rouvi, PR Director

Konstsamfundet Award 
Axel Pasanen
Blatant/Covert

“This collection is a powerful set of silhuettes. The designer’s extraordinary craft skills are transforming modern materials into something very luxurious. The collection feels both wearable and radical and excited the entire jury ”, says Cilla Lönnqvist, Board Member, Board of Directors at Amos Rex museum.

Jury: Cilla Lönnqvist, Board Member, Board of Directors at Amos Rex museum, Kieran Long, Museum Director at Amos Rex, Stefan Björkman, CEO Konstsamfundet

EMMA Award 
Peik Westerlund
Tides of Heritage: A Contemporary Love Letter to the Finnish Archipelago

"Peik Westerlund has beautifully brought craftmanship, patina and the art of repair as his visual expression. His collection reflects a strong material-driven approach and a sustainable, forward-looking design ethos. The history of Finnish archipelago and personal memories, combined with inventive use of upcycled textiles and natural fibres, are woven into a compelling thought-provoking collection. In 2025, as EMMA celebrates textile- and material-based art and design, we are proud to recognize a new-generation designer whose work opens up fresh directions for responsible and experimental design," says Development Director Saara Suojoki. 

Jury: Pilvi Kalhama, Executive Director, Reetta Kalajo, Chief Curator, Salla Engström, Chief Shop Manager,  Iris Suomi, Chief Marketing Communications Specialist , Saara Suojoki, Development Director

Bloom Agencyn Award
Katariina Salmela
Everybody Wants This

"We chose Katariina Salmela for the Bloom Agency Award because her collection Everybody Wants This offers a sharp, playful and self-deprecating interpretation of the fashion industry. The collection combines cultural references, a clear narrative and a strong visual identity in a way that makes it both topical and media-friendly. This is the kind of fashion that doesn't just stay on the catwalk, but sparks debate and gains wide exposure," says Elina Staff-Ahokas, Founder & CEO.

Jury: Elina Staff-Ahokas, Emma Leppänen, Essi Vähäkari, Tom Sjöberg

Näytös/Näyttely25 participating students: 

BA students: Konsta Eskola, Nea Haasnoot, Annukka Havukumpu, Eetu Heikkinen, Ilari Kokkola, Selma Mataich, Eemeli Niemi, Axel Pasanen, Martta Penttinen, Oliver O. Saarinen, Katariina Salmela, Otto Siponen, Tilda Wallius, Peik Westerlund

MA students: Vanessa Agostini, Markus Anttonen, Alba Arillo García, Laura Balocco, Sofía Dinello Morais, Ella Fabritius, Kristín Ferrell, Pauliina Friberg, Mila Galle, Laura Harjamäki, Nilla Heikkilä, Elina Heilanen, Paavo Hemmi, Ilkhe Du Toit, Mira Isomäki, Juulia Jämsä, Niklas Järvi, Miska Kettu, Sophia Linden, Oona Linna, Jenna Mäkäräinen, Camilla Naukkarinen, Elisa Nicoloso, Marine Puumala, Yiwen Shen, Xuefei Shi, Ella Siltavuori, Tittamari Tolonen, Autuas Ukkonen, Rita Vaali, Krista Virtanen

Näytös/Näyttely25 team

Project Management, Lecturer Ilona Hyötyläinen
Creative Direction Näytös 25, Lecturer Elina Peltonen, Lecturer in Fashion Design
Creative Direction and Näyttely 25 Curation, Professor Maarit Salolainen, Professor Julia Valle

Other partners of the Näytös/Näyttely25 event are Shopping Centre AINOA, Juni Communications, Lumene, Cutrin, AsYouAre, TIAD, Sisterhood, Paparazzi and Roudaamo.

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