Ervin Latimer, a fashion designer studying at Aalto University, has won the Young Designer of the Year 2020 competition. Latimer’s winning work draws on drag culture. Outfits play with the sexes and are adaptable. According to the jury, the winning work is bold and has a story to tell. Read more

The competition, held for the 26th time this year, is for fashion design students. This year the task was to design a multi-purpose hybrid garment that fights against the disposable culture. Students were expected to design clothing that changes according to the situation and needs.

The young designer of the year is conceived by the Finnish Fair and is funded by the Finnish Fair Foundation. The competition has been held since 1995. Last year’s young designer was Emma Saarnio, also from Aalto University.

In addition to the recognition, Latimer will receive a 5,000 euro scholarship and a booth at the 2021 I love me fair at the Helsinki Fair Center. The winning outfit will also be seen at the fair’s I love fashion fashion shows.

Latimer’s competition work is on display in the Garden Room exhibition space:

Garden Room, Kämp Galleria 2nd floor

15 September – 4 October 2020

Vallila 2ndCycle x Ervin Latimer

Latimer has worked in Italy as a women’s clothing designer for the luxury brand Alyx and in Denmark as the main designer for the fashion brand Heliot Emil. He also unveiled his collaboration collection with textile manufacturer Vallila. He has designed a collection with surplus fabrics by Howard Smith, a 92-year-old African-American designer. The collection includes a work jacket and work trousers as well as two different bags.

Photo: Hayley Lê

Photos of the winning outfit in the image bank

Video: Vallila x Ervin Latimer