I Want My Body

In her BA thesis collection, I Want My Body, Annukka Havukumpu explores the complexities of girlhood and the transitional phase of coming-of-age. Her work focuses on that in-between moment when a girl’s body begins to shift into womanhood, while she still inhabits the world as a child. Through fashion, Havukumpu captures the awkwardness, clumsiness, and the characteristic “more is more” aesthetic of this formative time. She delves into the contradictions of this stage—the tension between innocence and emerging agency—using shape, silhouette, and material development to reflect the growing power of self-expression.

–For me, it feels natural to explore gender and girlhood through fashion,” says Havukumpu. “Clothing is deeply intertwined with these themes—cultural meanings tied to sexuality or innocence are often projected onto the female body through dress. The bodily experience of girlhood is intense, and personal control over one’s body is often in flux. In my collection, I ask how we might navigate the eroticization of youth while reclaiming bodily autonomy under the male gaze.

Material exploration has been central to Havukumpu’s process. She has created her own fabrics through knitting and weaving, and developed unique prints using a range of techniques, including laser cutting and textile printing.

– I’m interested in exploring industrial working methods and finishes, but also in combining them with more ‘craft-like’ approaches. The tradition of craft culture is strongly connected to women and has not been considered particularly valuable from an artistic perspective.

Her approach is highly process-oriented: the collection evolved through multiple iterations before reaching its final form. A sense of abundance runs through her work, reflecting her tendency to explore widely and embrace new techniques with curiosity and enthusiasm.

Annukka Havukumpu
annukka.havukumpu@aalto.fi
+358405805035
@havukumpuannukka