Mrs. Jenni Haukio's 2018 Independence Day gown

The gown made of birch-based Ioncell® fiber was designed by students Emma Saarnio and Helmi Liikanen and created by a team of Aalto University's experts.

"I took inspiration from strong Finnish women, who are represented in the dress' minimalist features and clear lines. The dress is a promise of a cleaner, brighter future", Saarnio said in a news piece by Aalto.

Picture by Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva.

Designer: Marjaana Tanttu, Aalto University

"Reading printed newspapers has decreased but digitalisation has resulted in new products, such as iPads and their covers. I wanted to design a prototype that reflects this transformation of material streams. An iPad cover made out of newspapers fit my idea well."

Minna Kemell-Kutvonen, Director of Home Products and Prints Design at Marimekko

"Due to the recyclable solvent used in the Ioncell® method the resulting fiber is stronger than viscose and less of a burden on the environment. The material has a silk-like feel to it and it reflects color very well."

Designer: Essi Karell, Aalto University

“In the Trash-2-Cash project textile fibers were recycled into new products. The top was assembled from several pieces of recycled cotton waste. It was technically challenging, but I’m happy with the end result: a subtly ruffled lightweight top, perfect for summer.”

Minna Kemell-Kutvonen, Director of Home Products and Prints Design at Marimekko

"The Ioncell® material’s absolute benefits are recyclability and durability. The material also works wonderfully as a dress fabric. It settles softly and has a soft feel, excellent color qualities and a beautiful silk-like shine."

Designer: Anna Sorri, Aalto University

"Using the Ioncell® material was inspiring. The yarn was perfect for hand weaving and the scarf turned out surprisingly soft. The material is very beautiful and replicates the hand-painted shades very well. It’s slight lustre also brings a sense of dignity to it."

Designer: Harri Santamala

"The phone case was designed together with Juha Tuomola as a demo product. It’s made of epoxy resin reinforced with Ioncell® fibers. The result is light and aesthetically on point. It’s also super strong – my phone already broke, but I still have the case."

Designer: Anna-Mari Leppisaari

"I think the fabric’s best features are how beautifully it takes color when dyed and how beautifully it moves in a garment. The Ioncell® yarn also has a fine gloss that translates into a sophisticated look in a woven fabric."

Fabric: Simone Haslinger, Yingfeng Wang, Aalto University students

“We produced the blue Ioncell® fibers. The raw-material of the fibers was old cotton that we had dyed with a dyestuff that is also used in jeans. When president Emmanuel Macron accepted the scarf, we were really surprised and proud at the same.”

Designer: Riikka Buri
Photograph: Sebastian Johansson

The dress was created in collaboration with Marimekko. Marimekko participated in the project as a business partner and was responsible for the design and implementation of the dress, the printing of the fabric as well as the fabric and wear tests. The Ioncell® fibers and yarns were manufactured at Aalto University.

The properties of the woven Ioncell® fabric are comparable to those of lyocell. The fabric feels comfortable against the skin. The garment also endures several washing cycles well.