Designer Heta Vajavaara lets curiosity lead her, both in her work and in life.
“I studied clothing design, at first. I applied because I just really wanted to understand how clothes are made. This is how I learn: I have to get to the very bottom of things to really understand them. If I don’t understand the ins and outs of a process, there’s no hope of fully grasping it. This is how I approach design work as well. I have to understand the how and why of it all.”
The exchange options at Aalto University were great, and Heta travelled to Japan for six months to study at Kyoto Seika University. Heta appreciated the university’s focus on textile art, as it allowed her to approach materials through aesthetics rather than function.
“Both Finnish and Japanese design often strive to find what’s essential and to trim the rest. What you want to say with your design is honed all the way through: either it’s very exuberant and lush, or quieter and pruned. There’s no middle ground.”
As for differences, Heta notes that, in general, Japan has a stronger cultural respect for the mastery and tradition of textiles. In Finland, textile traditions are dying out, and a lot of production gets moved abroad. Businesses like Lapuan Kankurit, that maintain their own production in Finland, are few and far between.
“When I first met Jaana and Esko Hjelt, it quickly became clear how much they look ahead and are willing to try out new things, and that’s very rare nowadays. To not instantly go “Oh, this is too difficult to make happen,” and instead focus about the possibilities. Our collaboration has been effortless. You can tell Lapuan Kankurit is a family business. Communication with them is always straightforward and warm.”
Heta’s previous designs for Lapuan Kankurit include the HAVAS blanket, which contains locally sourced Finnsheep wool. Her newest design, the KASKU blanket, follows in these footsteps, as it was based on the colour map of Finnsheep wool. The prompt came from Jaana and Esko themselves: they wanted her to design something colourful and checkered. The rest was up to Heta.
“I enjoy working with a starting point, a hook of sorts, which I then get to unravel – figuring out what the needs are and what I get to bring in myself. It’s about fulfilling expectations by your own volition, doing your own thing. If you don’t hold on to your own desires and interests, the finished design can become lifeless very easily. It’s a balancing act, but I find it inspiring.”
