SAUNAWEAR -COLLECTION BY KRISTA VIRTANEN

The Kuura Saunawear prototype collection demonstrates the potential of wood-based textile fibres as a solution for a more sustainable fashion and textile industry. The production of various end products is an important part of testing Kuura’s potential. The collection includes five unisex and one size garments: a skirt, trousers, a jacket, a bag and a sauna cap. The street style design makes the clothes suitable not only for post-sauna cooling but also for city use. 

“The scent and texture of wood are strongly associated with sauna bathing, so it felt very natural to use a wood-based textile fibre to design outfits specifically for the sauna. With this collection, I want to highlight how clothes and textiles can help us relax when we’re very busy,”

In addition to the fabric, Kuura was used for padding in the outfits. Kuura accounts for 30 per cent, cotton for 70 per cent, of the fabric. The clothes reflect shapes in nature: their stitching is based on the topographical map of Äänekoski, and the fringes along the edges resemble beard lichen.   

“I want to design versatile clothes, which is why the sauna bag doubles as a pillow or seat cushion, and the skirt can be spread out as a towel. The jacket can be used as a bathrobe or as an outfit for going out,”

More information: https://www.metsagroup.com/news-and-publications/news/2025/fashion-from-the-finnish-forest-krista-virtanen-designs-a-sauna-clothing-collection-from-the-kuura-fibre/