The chairman of the judges' committee, Jaakko Selin, says that at first, Törnroos' collection mystified the judges. Upon closer inspection, he says, they were utterly charmed.
"The use of dark, antiquated wool and a certain kind of harsh severity show that the design's roots are firmly in the Finnish past," says Selin. "The design's materials and cut combine the past and the future. The designer clearly has an understanding of the human body and knows how to make good use of the strong texture of wool to either cover or emphasize the human form."
Inspired by Schjerfbeck's Paintings
Törnroos' inspiration were the female figures painted by the Finnish artist Helen Schjerfbeck, and the clothes borrow from evening wear styles of the early 1900's. At the same time the collection feels casual, because the designer believes that's how young women today prefer to dress up for evening.
Törnroos took home a 5,000-euro prize and is being given her own booth at the Helsinki International Fashion Fair next week.
The Young Finnish Designer of the Year is an annual prize organized by the Finnish Fair Corporation. It's now in its 15th year.