Helsinki Design Week 2011

Helsinki Design Week is the event for design, architecture and fashion aficionados and professionals.

Serving as a pre-launch for the city’s World Design Capital 2012 year, Helsinki Design Week 2011 offers exhibitions, seminars, workshops, fashion shows and shopping experiences, as well as open days in private homes, public buildings, and design studios.

A new main venue for 2011 has been established in the form of the Old Customs Warehouse, a breathtaking brick building with gothic towers and church windows built at the turn of the century and situated in the prestigious Katajanokka area of Helsinki.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:

Opening Night (9th September, Old Customs Warehouse) will be celebrated in a club-style atmosphere with DJs, drinks and high-spirited mingling. Detailed programme TBC.

To Declare (13th-18th September, Old Customs Warehouse) is the main exhibition of the week, presenting a new concept. Curator Kaj Kalin says: “The exhibition is not just about showing design objects, but saying something with them. The message is intuitive; visitors will read between the lines – the objects do declare something, but we don't put words in people’s mouths. Visitors to the exhibition should also see some teamwork between disciplines of art and design, which is an important thing to develop in the future.”

Nothing To Declare (13th-18th September, Old Customs Warehouse) is a pop-up shop offering design companies a chance to sell their latest products in conjunction with the main exhibition.

Design Market (10th-11th September, Cable Factory) is a much anticipated yearly design stock sale. Score bargains on your favourite furniture, design objects and more!

Helsinki Design Week Live (17th September, Music Centre) is the culmination of the week, combining live fashion with live music in a brand new structure right in the middle of Helsinki. Artists featured on the evening will include Swedish singer Anna Järvinen among others.

For more info, please visit: helsinkidesignweek.com