Finnish fashion journalist Sami Sykkö has selected his standout fashion names and products for 2026, highlighting shoe designer Minna Parikka, clothing brand Vimma, jewellery label GLOSS by lauraeveliina, and a new collaboration between Kultajousi and dancer Helena Ahti-Hallberg.
Sykkö, the Fashion Friend of the I love me fair and a Professor of Practice, has chosen four winners across the categories Finn of the Year, Visionary of the Year, Must-Have of the Year and Surprise of the Year. His selections recognise Finnish fashion businesses and creative figures whose work stands out for its design, originality and approach to the industry.
The selections are being presented ahead of the I love me fair, which takes place at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre from 16 to 18 October 2026. The annual event brings together brands and exhibitors working across fashion, beauty, wellbeing and health.
Shoe designer Minna Parikka has been named Finn of the Year. Her footwear brand has built its identity around distinctive designs that combine playful details with a recognisable style. Features such as lollipop-shaped heels and the signature bunny ears have helped make her shoes stand out in a crowded fashion market.
According to Sykkö, Parikka’s continued development as a designer is a key reason for the recognition. He points to her ability to refine ideas and keep developing her collections, even when an initial concept needs further work. Her designs also bring humour and optimism into fashion, offering an alternative to more conventional footwear.
Parikka launched her first collection 20 years ago, marking two decades of work in shoe design. Her selection as Finn of the Year recognises that career and her continued commitment to developing a distinctive creative identity.
The Visionary of the Year title goes to Vimma, a Finnish fashion company known for its colourful designs and expressive clothing. The brand operates in a market where smaller labels face competition from fast-fashion retailers and must find ways to maintain their identity while responding to changing consumer tastes.
Sykkö highlights Vimma’s determination to develop its own direction rather than simply follow trends. Its bold prints and empowering designs are intended to help wearers express their individuality. The company’s approach to production is another defining feature, with its products manufactured locally from the beginning, according to the original announcement.
For Finnish fashion businesses, maintaining local production can be an important part of a brand’s identity. Vimma’s selection recognises the company’s efforts to combine a clear design vision with a commitment to producing its garments close to home.
The Must-Have of the Year award goes to GLOSS by lauraeveliina, a handcrafted jewellery brand based in Heinola, Finland. Founded by Laura Koljonen, the label creates jewellery designed to add colour, detail and character to personal style.
The brand has also gained visibility through appearances on the covers of Finnish magazines. Sykkö describes its pieces as distinctive additions to Finland’s jewellery and accessories scene, recognising the craftsmanship and visual appeal behind the collection.
GLOSS by lauraeveliina’s selection puts a smaller Finnish jewellery business in the spotlight, highlighting the role independent designers play in a fashion industry that extends beyond clothing and footwear.
The Surprise of the Year award recognises a collaboration between Kultajousi and Helena Ahti-Hallberg, a dance teacher and judge on Dancing with the Stars Finland. The partnership has produced a jewellery collection launched in autumn 2026.
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Kultajousi, described in the announcement as Finland’s largest retail chain for fashion jewellery and watches, has teamed up with Ahti-Hallberg to create a collection shaped by her sense of femininity and her experience in dance.
The jewellery draws inspiration from the movement and elegance of competitive ballroom dancing. Its shapes and decorative details are intended to reflect the fluidity and sparkle associated with the dance floor, giving the collection a visual identity linked to Ahti-Hallberg’s background.
The four selections cover different parts of the Finnish fashion industry, from established design names to independent jewellery makers and a retail collaboration. Together, they reflect Sykkö’s choices for the designers, brands and products he believes deserve particular attention in 2026.
The winners are being highlighted as part of the I love me fair, which brings fashion together with beauty, wellbeing and health at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre from 16 to 18 October. The event offers visitors an opportunity to discover participating brands and explore current products and ideas across these fields.
