Design Team
The Paapii design team creates durable products that stand the test of time, both in terms of material and design. We are proud to have full control over our product design!
Paapii's patterns and clothing designs are timeless. Our goal is to create simple garments that can be worn at home, at work, or at celebrations. Paapii’s popular clothing items remain in production season after season, so you can find your favorite style in either a familiar or new pattern in the upcoming collections. We don’t hold seasonal sales, as our clothes stay relevant from season to season. For us, high-quality design is unique, timeless, and recognizable.
Anniina Isokangas
Hello! I'm Anniina, the founder, director, and designer at Paapii. I have a background in glass and ceramic design, and my main role in the design team is creating fabric patterns. Together with Anu, I also design all our collections.
I’m deeply inspired by nature, especially forest and sea landscapes, which resonate with me in pattern design. I draw inspiration from tradition, the Kalevala, everyday life, and different experiences. I love words and stories—they sometimes transform into images in my mind that I feel compelled to draw. My favorite colour is black—I enjoy it in coffee, licorice, and clothing. To me, black is like a blank canvas that doesn’t dictate the mood or feeling of the day. Among Paapii’s patterns, my favorite is the imaginative Mosspath, into which I drew my childhood play area.
Saara Vähäkangas
Hello! I’m Saara, a graphic designer, working in the design team on collection concepts and packaging. For me, values and collaboration are important in my work—I am deeply interested in holistic visual design. I am captivated by colour palettes, shapes, and different visual moods. Among Paapii’s clothing articles, the Ylva dress and the muted tones particularly resonate with me. I’m especially inspired by patterns like the Gates of Pohjola, Varpu, and other nature-themed designs.
Anu Corin (on maternity leave)
Hi! I’m Anu, a designer with a background in fashion. Currently, I’m on maternity leave, but otherwise, I lead our cheerful and creative design team, participate in product design, and work on our collections together with Anniina. Sustainability is close to my heart and has been a focus since my study years. I’m thrilled to have found a job in my hometown where sustainability plays such a central role. The North holds special meaning for me, and I often draw inspiration from it for my designs.
Pirjo Levonperä
Hello! I’m Pirjo, originally trained in clothing design, and I work as a production designer in the design team. I am responsible for creating patterns, prototypes, and sample pieces, and I ensure that the samples can be efficiently produced. I especially enjoy pattern drafting—it really captures me when I dive into the world of patterns. It’s fascinating to consider how ideas can be executed practically and to see if everyone on the team has the same vision for the final product. I don’t have a single favorite Paapii pattern, as I like many of them. Among materials, jacquard is my top choice.
Laura Yli-Parkas
Hi! I’m Laura, a designer specializing in pattern design and textile design. I work as a design assistant in the team, handling fabric purchases and creating graphic materials to support material design. I also research new materials and assist in finalizing patterns. Value-based work is really important to me. At Paapii, we know exactly where our clothes and materials come from because everything is transparent. Among our products, I especially like digital prints, and the Sorja leggings in the Layers -pattern are next on my shopping list.
Paula Isopahkala
Greetings from Paula as well! I’ve been passionate about sewing since a young age, and I have training as a dressmaker as well as an engineer in textile and clothing design. In the design team, I was responsible for overseeing the production process of clothing models from the design table all the way to production. Finding creative solutions for seams and seam structures was the highlight of my work. I am always drawn to the blue shades in Paapii’s colour palette. Among the clothing items, the Halla hoodie and Routa sweatshirt dress remain my favorites.
Juha Järvinen
Hello! I’m Juha, and I served as the brand director, designer, and creative director for Finsket from the brand’s inception until early 2024. In design, I’m fascinated by the interplay between simplicity and abundance. Historical themes in art and design are also intriguing, as the same ideas and motifs keep reappearing over time. My favorite Finsket motifs are Hauet and Keltanokka, and in terms of clothing, I especially like the Pohja sweatshirt and Vilho hoodie.
