Maarit Aakko

PhD, Visiting Researcher

Maarit Aakko is a researcher-maker working at the intersection of craft, textiles and fashion. She holds a DA degree in Art and Design from Aalto University (2016) and MA in Craft Studies (Clothing and textiles design and research program) from the University of Helsinki (2011). Her work includes research and teaching, occasionally also dressmaking for private clients.

Her doctoral dissertation “Fashion In-Between: Artisanal Design and Production of Fashion” centered on the artisanal approach to fashion within the current cultural and societal environment, focusing on aesthetics and quality. Artisanal fashion embraces traditional clothes-making techniques, merging fine craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. In that, time, energy and skill applied in the design and making processes are interwoven in artisanal garments as “skillful materiality”.

Her later works have discussed fashion and sustainability, fashion designer entrepreneurship, and quality as an element of fashion and textiles. In her current position as a visiting researcher at Aalto ARTS (funded by Emil Aaltonen foundation), she is looking into the therapeutic aspects of craft and textile art. The study touches upon art, craft making, well-being and meaningfulness, thus bringing many threads together from her interdisciplinary background.