Tuomo Martelius

In their BA collection, Tuomo Martelius explores design through the lens of dignity. Martelius’ material led process seeks to find the elements in garments that can enhance ones’ feeling of self. Drawing inspiration from characteristics such as kindness, taste, and clarity, their collection explores various knitwear techniques. Developing most of the material from scratch, Martelius’ silhouettes are informed by material qualities of fabric, such as composition, weight, and drape. Through yarns the abstract becomes material. Martelius has meticulously sampled yarns from which the garments are then developed. ‘’Tactility and the product are important parts of my work. How a garment feels physically also shapes the experience in the mind. I want the clothes I make to be someone’s favourites on a personal level.’’ Sense of dignity can appear through different avenues of expression, like restraint or grand gestures. Martelius has interpreted taste, composure, being human and monumentality into clothing through textile and fashion design. Shirts, pullovers, trousers and other recognisable garments are central in their design language, which usually thrives from restraint. ”People navigate their feelings through taste and the eye. I find people’s experiences of a sense of dignity interesting because these experiences can vary significantly from one another. I usually prefer clear, simple clothes. Simple clothes are delightfully difficult to make” Martelius’ visual language is informed by particular works of art and well-known characters in culture. Major inspirations for the collection have been Rachel Whiteread’s sculpture “Ghost,” as well as the aura and habitus of Tilda Swinton and Jarvis Cocker.