The finalists of the international workwear design competition come from Finland, Estonia and Denmark. This year diagonal cuts, prints and crispy clean colors pop up as clear trends in the designs.
Nearly 250 students from 22 countries entered the competition. The task is to design a workwear collection to Estonian department store Kaubamaja. The jury selected the finalists in Tallinn on November 7, 2014. The finalists are:
– Ester Soidla, Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonia
– Jenny Hanna Hirvonen, Kolding School of Design, Denmark
– Pablo Alejandro Maas, Lahti University of Applied Sciences, Finland
– Riikka Kälkäjä, University of Lapland, Finland
– Isla Vainio, Lahti Institute of Applied Sciences, Finland
”This year the quality of the competition has been higher than ever before. Having numerous international participants indicates that the youth is inspired by workwear design. Comfortable fit, durability and suitability for a variety of body types has been taken into consideration very well in the designs”, says Lindström’s Vice President, Design and Brand Management Anna-Kaisa Huttunen, and continues: ”Especially the finalist designs show clear use of various print patterns. Bold details, such as cuts of pockets and neck express that workwear should follow the contemporary spirit.”
This year the competition seeks to present to young designers the principles of sustainable development, such as sustainable design, textile waste management and recycling textiles in clothing and textile industries.
Kaubamaja brand shows clearly in finalist designs
Member of the jury, Kaubamaja’s human resources and customer service director Piret Suitsu says that the graphical imagery of the finalist designs gave an extra spark to them:”The Kaubamaja brand has been well thought of in the finalist designs. Our emblem “K” is used very creatively for example in trouser pockets. The designs also include accessories, such as hats, bags and purses. One finalist planned to use excess material for decorative flower pins”, she admires.
During the next few months the competitors will turn their workwear ideas into actual prototypes in cooperation with pattern designer Meeri Taimisto from Lindström and Portex, the competition’s partner for pattern and prototype production. The winner will be announced in the Lindström Award gala, taking place in February 2015 in Tallinn. The finalists may be offered an opportunity for a trainee period at Lindström.
The jury consists of Heikki Haldre, co-founder of virtual fitting room Fits.me, textile artist and upcycling pioneer Reet Aus, Kaubamaja’s human resources and customer service director Piret Suitsu and Lindström’s CEO Juha Laurio and Vice President, Design and Brand Management Anna-Kaisa Huttunen.
Organized since 2002, Lindström Award is a workwear design competition held every other year for European and Asian clothing design students. The goal of the competition is to increase awareness of the importance of high quality workwear design and also enhance awareness of workwear design as a potential career path for young designers.
Additional information:
Mari Saarinen, Manager, Corporate Communications, Lindström Group, t. +358 40 727 6482, mari.saarinen@lindstrom.fi
Lindström Group Textile service company Lindström strengthens the company image of its customers. Our service makes our customer’s everyday life easier and provides the best value on the market. We are a responsible corporate citizen and a respected employer. Lindström is the employer of 2 900 people in Europe and in Asia. The group turnover was €303 million in 2013.