As an internationally accomplished fashion designer, based in France and China, with extensive experience in fashion design, product management, trend forecasting and market research, I identify lifestyle changes that give insight into new consumer needs and behaviors.

Personal profile:

• a genuine globetrotter
• energetic
• curious/adventurer/explorer
• visonary

Professional profile:

• versatile design and trend forecasting experience
• global manufacturing experience
• quick understanding of customerobjectives
• reliable design work
• original ideas

CV

Download my CV (PDF format, 136kb)

Bio:

Childhood dreams

During my childhood in the central part of Finland, I dreamed of becoming a designer who flies from one country to another. By listening to Spanish pop hits in the 1970's, I began drawing my creations far from the world's fashion capitals.

Developing a fashion sense

My sense of fashion was inspired by the elegant Italian women I saw in movies or during summer vacation on the Mediterranean. In my early teens I illustrated my own edition of the history of fashion.

Formal education

I studied at the Univeristy of Art and Design in Helsinki followed by a 12- month post-graduate program in Hochscule der Kunste (Berlin) and at the Institut Francais de la Mode (Paris). In 1994, I won 1st prize in the "Comité Colbert" awards and got my first job in Paris as an assistant designer at Lacoste.

Job experience

I went on to work for French fashion houses like La Chemise Lacoste and Guy Laroche as well as doing freelance designing for several collections. I slowly became specialized in uniform design, winning numerous awards in that field. After gaining experience in clothing and product design, textile-based and hard-material based products, as well as luxury fashion objects and sportswear, I wanted to apply my experience to a new and innovative clothing sector; wearable technology. In 1999, I joined the Finnish Clothing+ team with its fascinating perspective on future clothing and technology.

Other activities

In addition to my passion for the social phenomenon called fashion, it is very important for me to take the time to share my knowledge with others. Currently, I lecture on Fashion and Lifestyle Marketing at the French Fashion Academy "Esmod" in Beijing, China. I also taught for a year the Esmod Academy in Beirut, Lebanon and have given seminars for Stockmann (a large departmet store) employees in Riga, Latvia . Recently I organized a promotional event for Finnish designers in Paris, in collaboration with the French-Finnish Chamber of Commerce.