a common thread: the use of garments as a means of self-expression. From Enni Lähderinne’s reflections on her diagnosis to Nhung Huynh’s delicate exploration of identity, the Finnish school’s 2024 class reclaims fashion as art.

Inspiration isn’t the only way in which artistic intent manifests itself. Materiality, design rubrics, and the act of making a collection are questioned by AALTO’s most recent graduates. These innovations, ranging from the development of innovative knits to the total abolition of design prototypes, are not just made in the name of art; they serve a wider purpose. Concerned with the state of the industry, the young designers manifest their concerns through the search of its solutions. The corruptive power of money and the speed of hype culture are cited as sources of uneasiness. But instead of cowering in despair, the 2024 class faces them head-on. Lähderinne summarizes her class’s feelings perfectly, “I am hopeful for the future, and I am excited to be part of it.”