This Weekend’s Archive Exhibition Showcases Vintage Treasures and Works by Emerging Helsinki Designers

Held in Helsinki’s Torikorttelit, the Archive Exhibition aims to serve as a meeting point, revealing the stories and cultural movements behind the objects on display.

The exhibition and sales event brings together the finest finds from two vintage specialists — Garbadura and Kasino — under one roof. Alongside these curated vintage pieces, the event also features new works by emerging Helsinki-based designers Santeri Mortti, Joonas Koponen, Lennart Engels, and Taavi Mäkelä.

The iconic Salomon brand plays a central role in the event. This unique collaboration allows visitors to explore design gems from past decades that were ahead of their time, while comparing them with contemporary products. A carefully curated selection of Salomon’s vintage items and designers’ works will also be available for purchase.

“It’s important for us to highlight the stories and cultural shifts behind these objects and the influences that shaped their design. We’re drawn not only to post-millennial design aesthetics but also to the evolution of technical features,” explain Garbadura’s Werneri Vanhanen and Sakari Lähdesmäki of Kasino, who are organising the event. Garbadura is an online shop that sources and offers items for collectors, resellers, and consumers. Kasino is a concept store for vintage furniture and clothing. Their new Torikorttelit showroom presents their ever-growing collection of design objects and garments, alongside selected works by local creatives. 

The exhibition also aims to explore new approaches to urban and consumer culture, and to spotlight ways in which collectors, designers, and makers can collaborate with businesses and institutions to spark fresh, meaningful trends. Through creative partnerships, professionals across industries hope to promote positive values such as responsibility and sustainability.

“We want to experiment with new concepts. There’s an incredible amount of talent and vision in Helsinki, and we’re eager to showcase it by creating a platform for gifted individuals,” say Lähdesmäki and Vanhanen.

The visual identity of the exhibition is by Henri Tevajärvi, and the soundscape is created by Otto Taimela, Julius Aula, and Jacob Sundell, along with surprise guest appearances.

Archive Exhibition, Kasino Vintage, Torikorttelit, Katariinankatu 1c (courtyard), 00170 Helsinki. 31 May 2025, 12:00–20:00. Free entry.

Garbadura, Santeri Mortti, Taavi Mäkelä and Joonas Koponen will also take part in the next sales event at Helsinki Design Week’s Design Market: the Collectors’ Market at Kaapelitehdas, 6–7 September.