“I was inspired by EMMA’s unique setting, the encounter of the museum’s architecture and the surrounding natural landscape. The collection reflects a subtle tension between the man-made and the organically growing, and the delicate balance and coexistence of the two,” says designer Rolf Ekroth. 

The Rolf Ekroth x EMMA collection includes an organic cotton T-shirt, cap, tote bag, and scarf, as well as a numbered edition of fifteen hoodies. At the heart of the collection is contrasts: the garments’ clean-lined silhouettes are paired with a hand-painted watercolor print, where the first spring flowers, wood anemones, push through the concrete surface. The flowers are both fragile and hopeful, subtly speaking of the possibility of a new beginning and the quiet strength of nature.

“Wood anemones are a symbol of Finnish spring. For many of us, they are familiar and meaningful, evoking memories of childhood, Mother’s Day bouquets and forest paths,” say Matilda Diletta and Emanuela Leppäkoski, the designers behind the print.

“Each print started as a watercolor painting, then transferred to fabric and finally transformed into wearable artworks. The transparency of the watercolors, the rhythm of the brushstrokes, and the paper texture create a surface that conveys something made with thought and care,” the designer sisters continue.

Local design as part of EMMA Shop’s product philosophy

Rolf Ekroth x EMMA is launched in conjunction with EMMA’s new exhibition Social Fabric, part of Fashion in Helsinki week. The collaborationcollection continues EMMA Shop’s mission to highlight sustainable design by local creatives, often tied to the museum’s exhibition programme. The shop’s selection includes unique ceramics, glass art, and jewelry. This year, EMMA’s exhibitions focus on experimental material use and works that utilize textiles, recycled materials, and natural fibers – making fashion a natural part of the shop’s offering. 

Fashion, nostalgia and sustainability 

Rolf Ekroth is a Finnish fashion designer whose eponymous brand is known for Nordic storytelling, sportswear influences, and a focus on sustainable design. Each collection is explores themes rooted in Finnish culture, nostalgia and moments of everyday life, reimagined through a modern, emotional lens. Ekroth primarily uses deadstock and recycled materials, creating thoughtfully crafted garments that combine functionality with personal meaning. 

The prints in the collection are created in collaboration with Matilda Diletta and Emanuela Leppäkoski, Finnish-Italian sisters who have long worked with Ekroth. Based in Finland, the duo’s work spans illustration, textile design and visual storytelling. Their artistic language draws from traditional techniques such as watercolor and drawing, blending influences from both manga and traditional traditions.