We are delighted to announce that Finnish textile designer Elina Laitinen has been selected as the first Finnish Helsinki Design Resident for 2018, supported by HIAP.  

We spoke to Elina, to find out about her work and what she is planning to research in Helsinki in response to this year’s open call theme of Arranging Practice: Proximity, Distance, Instance.  

Tell us a bit about yourself; your background and areas of interest.

I'm a designer and artist currently based in Helsinki. I work in the fields of fashion, clothing, and textile and concept design. My personal design work is often based on craft and slow making. I hold a master's degree in Fashion and Collection Design from Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

What are you working on or researching at the moment?

Pyhävaatteita (engl. Sunday Clothes) is an ongoing design concept that I started in 2016. At the moment I'm preparing the 2018 edition of Pyhävaatteita, which will consist of recycled t-shirts. In Pyhävaatteita I use sunlight to make patterns on the fabrics. 

Why are you interested in Helsinki and why did you apply for the Design Residency?

I applied for the residency for the opportunity to interact and network with like-minded people. My artistic work is independent. Perhaps I could even say that my making process is isolated sometimes, therefore I found it important to look for conversations and contexts to reflect my own practice on.

What are you planning to research or produce during your residency in Helsinki?

During the residency, I will research home sewing culture and its role in a contemporary society. I would like to find people who still make clothes at home and examine their practice from the designer's perspective. The emotional value of clothing interests me and I would like to investigate how the making process impacts on the relationship that is formed between the garment and the maker. 

Elina will take up her residency in Helsinki from 14 - 27 May and 13 August - 18 September 2018 along UK designer in residence Laura Spring. We look forward to hearing about how their respective research projects will evolve!