Where to go during HDW? Enjoy these tips by creative professionals in Helsinki
We asked a few fabulous creative professionals in Helsinki for some tips for the festival. This year, too, Helsinki Design Week’s event offering provides versatile inspiration and encounters to those interested in fashion, architecture, art and food.
Claudia Cifu, stylist, creative director and consultant
Myrtillius Kauria x Modern Slavery
8–30 September
Free entrance, no pre-registration. “Myrtillius Kauria’s social approach to the exhibition is highly relevant. Although Kauria’s works present a sombre subject, they have been described to be emphatic, absurd and fun. This is a must-see!” For more information, click here.
You Are Here – Temporary Shop
9–30 September
Free entrance, no pre-registration. “At the Temporary Shop, you’ll get to admire, fiddle with and try young Finnish fashion designers’ new creations as well as treasures from older collections. Best of all, these one-of-a-kind items are all on sale.” For more information, click here.
Ervin Latimer, fashion and print designer, Creative Director at Latimmier
Fashion Community Helsinki – Fashion Walks
9–10 September
Free entrance, no pre-registration.
“Fashion Community Helsinki is a collective of independent fashion designers whose Fashion Walk concept provides an interesting contrast to traditional exclusive fashion week shows. The Walks are organized at the Cable Factory in connection with the Design Market, so you can support domestic fashion and accessory brands at the same time.”
For more information, click here.
Pamela Hakala @Liike temporary showroom
7–9 September
free entrance, no pre-registration.
“The Liike boutique on Fredrikinkatu continues to feature up-and-coming Finnish designers, and this time they are featuring Pamela Hakala who presented her thesis collection for Aalto University at the Näytös23 fashion show. What an opportunity to be impressed by Hakala’s thought-provoking collection and Finnish design know-how!”
For more information, click here.
VAIN Concept Store
9–17 September and on Open Studios day 9 September
Free entrance, no pre-registration.
“Run by Jimi Särmö and Roope Reinola, VAIN is a clothing brand that presented its latest collection during the Copenhagen fashion week 2023. With its McDonald’s collaborative collection, VAIN became the first modern viral phenomenon in Finnish fashion history. The concept store launched this summer is open to customers every day during the Design Week.”
For more information, click here.
4. Fashion + Feeling
13–17 September
Free entrance, no pre-registration.
“At the Fashion + Feeling exhibition, designers Ilona Hyötyläinen, Marjut Uotila, Johanna Vainio and Merja Seitsonen harness their brands to highlight fashion issues that should be talked about more.”
For more information, click here.
Elena Palomo, ceramic artist
The Sense of Spirituality
8 September 2023
Tickets 22 e, sign up by email at kulttuurisauna@gmail.com.
“Last year the first part of The Sense of Spirituality event series impressed me greatly in the ethereal, dream-like exhibition at the Venice House in Lapinlahti. This year, the second part of the series is held at my favourite place in Helsinki, Kulttuurisauna, where you can take a break and relax in a multisensory sauna ceremony, surrounded by gentle steams, refreshing scents and kantele music. This experience in one of the most beautiful spaces in Helsinki will be unforgettable.” For more information, click here.
Antrei Hartikainen – private exhibition ‘Traces’ at the Lokal Gallery
1–30 September
Free entrance, no pre-registration.
“It is a lovely daytime activity to tour the many galleries of Helsinki. In the HDW programme, I spotted Antrei Hartikainen’s private exhibition ‘Traces’ at the Lokal Gallery. I have seen Hartikainen’s works in several group exhibitions, and now it will be interesting to see what shape his own solo exhibition will take. Hartikainen’s works of art and utility items represent his top craftsmanship and extensive knowledge of materials. In his works, I am most touched by their rich texture, multidimensionality, closeness to nature and certain sensitivity. I will definitely visit Lokal to be inspired and to admire his works.” For more information, click here.
Karoliina Hellberg, visual artist
Open Studios
8 and 15 September
Free of charge, please pre-register by filling out this form.
“It is always fascinating to get a glimpse of the personal world of a creator, and having access to their workplaces is an incredible privilege and opportunity to understand and learn from their perspectives on creative work.”
For more information, click here.
Design Diplomacy
8–17 September
Free of charge, please pre-register by filling out this form.
“The concept of this event is amazing and positively exciting, too. Discussions between design professionals steered by a card game in interesting milieus, this time in the embassies of different countries in Helsinki! The elements of intimacy and surprise make this concept very special.”
For more information, click here.
House by an Architect
16 September
Entrance with main exhibition tickets, no pre-registration.
“I love lectures, and this one sounds particularly interesting. What a luxury to get to sit down and listen to architects talk shop. I am looking forward to finding out which of their favourite locations they have decided to share with the audience.”For more information, click here.
Laura Väinölä, Creative Concept & Art Director, Marimekko
“I am always scrolling through properties on sale and utterly fascinated by events that address architecture and living. I want to learn more about my immediate environment and hear about homes that architects find ideal to live in.”
Three tips by Laura:
An evening with House by an Architect
16 September
Entrance with main exhibition tickets, no pre-registration.
For more information, click here.
Architecture Walk: 1970s Vuosaari
12 and 13 September
Tickets 0–10e (cards only), please pre-register by filling out this form.
For more information, click here.
Debate: 1970s architectural heritage – threat or opportunity?
16 September
Free of charge, please pre-register by filling out this form.
For more information, click here.
Helsinki Design Week 8–17 September 2023. Full programme can be found here.