Detail: The Curious Case of Aalto’s Finnish Designs

Finnish designer Tuomas Merikoski is parting from minimalistic Scandinavian design. The founder of Paris-based ready-to-wear label Aalto is instead referencing the more whimsical Finland of his upbringing. Woven into this silk dress are illustrations from late author and artist Tove Jansson’s The Dangerous Journey, a children’s book that features her famous Moomin character. Joining the plump hippolike creature is the story’s protagonist, Susanna, who slips into a dream that transports her to an uusi fantasia, a new fantasy. Merikoski’s take on volume and balance—a playful billowing bow to offset strong tailoring—alludes to the freedom of Susanna’s mind-set. Such an uninhibited approach to prints displays Merikoski’s youthful spirit, but as a womenswear designer, he’s all grown up.

Moomin silk jacquard dress, $1,543; aaltointernational.com