Fashion designers including London-based Bora Aksu took over Helsinki
Airport with a one-of-a-kind fashion show on the airport’s runway, to
promote the Finnish airports convenient transfers between Europe and Asia.
Organised by Finnair and Finavia, the catwalk show feature seven top
designers from Europe and Asia, with London Fashion Week designer Bora Aksu
showcasing his collections alongside Shangguan Zhe from China, Henrik
Vibskov from Denmark, Anders Haal from Sweden, Heikki Salonen from Finland,
Hyein Seo from Korea and Arashi Yanagawa from Japan on the runway at the
airport.
Each designer were hand-picked by Tuomas Laitinen, one of Finland’s most
influential fashion trendsetters, as their work represents some of the most
“interesting and inspiring trends emerging from key fashion hubs”.
The catwalk show took place in the shadow of one of Finnair’s aircraft
in front of 350 guests who were flown in specially for the event. The show
was opened by Finnair air stewardess who took to the runway in formation,
followed by the models who emerged from inside the Finnair airplane,
showcasing a selection of the designers collections from the last few
seasons.
Finavia vice president marketing and business development, Katja Siberg
said: “The designers’ creations sparkled on the runway and the atmosphere
was made perfect by the beautiful weather. This was an extraordinary way to
promote Helsinki Airport as a functional and smooth transfer airport
between Europe and Asia.”
Finnair vice president brand, marketing and customer loyalty, Johanna
Jäkälä, added: “This spectacular event exceeded our expectations, which
were very high. We organised this fashion show to celebrate the connections
between Europe and Asia and to showcase the work of the most interesting
designers of the moment from these two continents.
“Aviation has had a key role in spreading fashion phenomena around the
world. Every day on our flights, we see how fashion inspires and connects
people. This event has now also created new international bonds.”
The aim of the one-of-a-kind fashion show was to promote the
international standing of Helsinki Airport and Finnair as well as to draw
attention to the convenient transfer connections between Europe and Asia.
This isn’t the first time Finnair has transformed the tarmac for a
creative endeavour, in October 2014, Finnair threw a skateboarding
invitational at Helsinki Airport.
Images: Courtesy of Finnair