Press release , Winter 2012

DESIGN DISTRICT HELSINKI

Helsinki offers an ideal place to get to know Finnish design and to buy top-class Finnish design products.  The Design District is a cluster of creative businesses in the heart of Helsinki. It's a neighbourhood association that offers residents and visitors shopping, dining, accommodation and experiences. The Design District comprises nearly 200 members including design shops, galleries, workshops, museums, restaurants, hotels and design agencies. The Design District plays a large role in boosting Helsinki's reputation as a city of design.

Design District Helsinki was created in 2005 from the concept of bringing together local actors of the creative industries.  The purpose of the association is to make the district and its actors known as the design area and creative hub of Helsinki, thus reinforcing Helsinki's role as a design city.

Design District Helsinki does not have any set boundaries – the area lives and develops along with its actors. Its centre, however, is Dianapuisto Park, from which the District spreads out towards the Kaartinkaupunki, Kamppi, Punavuori and Ullanlinna sections of the city. All the members are shown on the map published by the Design District Helsinki association and also free Design District mobile application is available for use.

The Design District has established itself as one of Helsinki's most popular tourist destinations. The Design District project was planned from the very beginning in close partnership with various tourism organisations. The results of this partnership include summertime Design Walking Tours on Mondays and Fridays. The guided tours are carried out in co-operation with Helsinki Experts and the Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau. Individual visitors can also choose walking tours by theme by browsing the Design District website.

The networking of businesses and other stakeholders in the field offers opportunities for joint marketing and the organisation of major events in the area. Many of the events have already reached classic status. Every summer, shops adopt extended opening hours during the Design District Week. The programme of the week also includes meetings with artists, great discount offers, workshops and demonstrations and much more. Design guides are on hand in the area and the week culminates with the Design Bazaar. On Sunday, the restaurants and cafes in the area serve up fabulous brunches.
 
The Design District is also strongly involved with its own programming during The Night of the Arts, Helsinki Design Week and the Habitare fair. At the Fashion Fair in October, the fashion businesses operating in the Design District are prominently on display at their joint stand.
 
Come shop and have a good time in the Design District!

For more information, please contact:
Design District Helsinki
Laila Alanen
Tel. +358 (0)9 6220 8118
laila.alanen@designforum.fi
www.designdistrict.fi

Design District Helsinki is a neighbourhood and a state of mind.  It is creativity, uniqueness, experiences, design and Finnish urban culture