HI, I am Saila Härkki – a clothing designer, trend interpreter, and the founder of Saila Härkki Design Oy.
With over 30 years of hands-on experience in technical outdoor, sportswear and urban style, I combine creativity with commercial insight to build collections that stand out and sell well.
My experience guarantees end-to-end design service — from trend forecasting - design process - product development – production readiness —and in the end satisfied customer.
Story & Origins
Today, as an independent designer and consultant, I offer clients not only deep technical knowledge and creative vision but also a result-oriented approach that delivers tangible value through every step of the design journey to the ready product.
Leveraging three decades of hands-on expertise to create apparel that performs as beautifully as it looks.
Combining technical precision, trend insight and AI-powered design to creation, I accelerate every stage and diversify the product design — from first sketch to finished sample.
Passionate about all things fashion.
Get to
know Saila
Design has been a part of my life for over 30 years. My journey began at the Lahti Institute of Design, from which I graduated as a clothing designer in 1994. Since then, I have had the privilege of being part of a world that inspires, challenges, and rewards every day.
Hi, I’m Saila Härkki – a clothing designer, product developer and visual storyteller with a deep love for functionality, aesthetics and creative problem-solving. Design is not just my profession – it’s how I interact with the world - I observe, I interpret, and I transform insights into garments that are meant to be lived in.
My journey into design began with a passion for fashion and has grown into a lifelong commitment to design garments that not just look good, but also perform, inspire, protect, and make an impact. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the most respected brands in the Nordic sportswear industry and deeply involved in every step of the design and development process.
This given me the opportunity to create and shape entire product categories from the ground up – developing not just individual products, but complete style directions, silhouettes, product families and color worlds. Creating something entirely new – and watching it take shape from the first sketch to a fully realized product worn by a satisfied user – is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my work.
Where design meets experience,
innovation and purpose
I have a natural ability to sense the world around me and turn those impressions into visual and functional concepts. Whether I’m hiking, skiing, running or simply soaking in the outdoors, I’m always observing – how garments move, how they perform, and how design can serve the user better. Ideas can come from anywhere, but they only become real, refined and usable through good design skills, experience, technical knowledge, visual insight and finally testing.
Whether I’m developing technical performance wear for mountaineers or bold urban collections for fashionable lifestyles, I strive to balance innovation with purpose. I want each product to offer comfort and perform – without compromising aesthetics or sustainability.
Designing with me means working with someone who sees both the big picture and the smallest detail – someone who listens deeply, works collaboratively, and delivers solutions that reflect your brand’s identity, values and ambitions.
I’d love to help you turn your next idea into something remarkable.
Let’s create something that people will love to wear.
CAREER IN
NORDIC FASHION
Throughout my career, I have gained experience with major outdoor and sportswear brands. As the head designer of Luhta Sportswear Company's Icepeak brand, I had the opportunity to be part of building one of the biggest success stories in the Finnish clothing industry, when Icepeak achieved international success.
VIDEO -ICEPEAK -Mountaineering group - It showcases my concept design skills and helps illustrate the unity of product entities.
...My work also took me to Sweden, where I served as the design director and head designer for an international brand. Each stage has developed me as a designer – as a creative visionary, a team player, and a builder of successful products.
not just
clothing design,
but functional
products
My design philosophy is based on the idea that a garment is not just a product – it is an experience. I combine innovation with timeless aesthetics and believe in the power of design to create value for both the customer and the end user.
A strong sense of trend and color, a deep knowledge of fabrics and materials, and technical expertise give me the tools to develop products that delight in both their functionality and appearance.
In 2013, I had the honor of being awarded as the Fashion Designer of the Year by Ornamo – an acknowledgment that means great deal to me.
Constantly honing my skills in fashion, product development, future-oriented AI-based design, and trend interpretation to be able to push all boundaries and always create something exceptional.
Fashion designer of the year, 2013
AWARDED BY Ornamo ry
The
Journey
So far
HEAD DESIGNER, CEO
APR 2022 ->
Saila Härkki Design Oy
Expertise in the combination of fashion trends, technicality, functionality and sustainability in the innovative design of the future! - I help the client to create design entities that lead to successful results and good sales figures.
My goal is to increase the customer's brand value with individual design, which is supported by my strong professional expertise accumulated over three decades and my creative vision of technical outdoor, urban and sportswear design.
A successful design supports the customer's brand ideology and serves always the needs of the target group in the best possible way, leading to a good outcome.
Design Manager / Head Designer
JAN 2015 - JUN 2020
FIVE SEASONS FÖRSÄLJNINGS AB
My responsibilities included leading the design team and managing the head design, which consisted of technical and fashion clothing for the areas - Outdoor, Sportswear, Urban, Snowboarding and Skiing.
It also included the creation of new types of style shape, product development, fitting, fabric sourcing and various visual presentations.Target group was mainly adults.
Head Designer at ICEPEAK
JAN 2003 - JAN 2015
LUHTA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY OY
My responsibility was to create a new style direction and model frames for the new Mountaineering, Professional Ski, Luxury Ski and Cycling clothing concept.
It also included the design of technical Outdoor, Snowboard and Ski collections, as well as the accessories, prints and badge design for all these groups.
Searching for new fabrics and ideas was part of my daily task.
Designer at ICEPEAK
DEC 2002 - DEC 2003
LUHTA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY OY
My responsibility was to create a new style direction and model frames for the new Outdoor clothing concept (adult & youth).
My duties also included the design of technical Sportswear, Snowboard and Ski collections with new functional solutions, accessories, prints and label design.
Designer at SKILA
DEC 2001 - NOV 2002
LUHTA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY OY
My responsibility was to create a new style direction and model frames for the new Women's Outdoor clothing concept with included design and product development.
My duties also included the design of sportswear, street jackets and the creation of mood board presentations.
Designer
NOV 2011 - JAN 2015
RUKKA PETS
My responsibility was to create the style direction and model frames for this new dog clothing concept.
My task was to design technical outerwear for dogs with new functional solutions, prints, badges and accessories.
Designer
JAN 1998 - NOV 2001
Halti Oy
My responsibilities were youth and adults clothing design for the groups: Sportswear, technical Outdoor, Hiking, Snowboarding, Skiing and Street wear.
It includes the creation of mood board presentation and trims design.
Designer at LASSIE
AUG 1994 - JAN 1998
REIMA-TUTTA OY
I designed children's outerwears, but it also included product design for adult and customers. My task included a lot of pattern, print and label design.
Searching for new fabrics and accessories was also a big part of the work. It was important to understand the practicality of children's clothes.
Because future-focused design thinking motivates me - I have also enhanced my expertise with specialization studies in product development and artificial intelligence-based image production, which I skillfully utilize in my design work.
AUG 1990 - MAY 1994
Lahti Institute of Design
Apparel Designer, Artenom
OCT 2022 - DEC 2023
RASTOR -INSTITUTE Ry
Specialist Vocational Qualifications in Product Development
MAR 2024 - SEP 2024
Gradia
Specialist Vocational Qualifications in Media Artificial intelligence in image production
SAILA HÄRKKI DESIGN
IN 2022, THE TIME WAS RIGHT TO ESTABLISH MY OWN COMPANY, SAILA HÄRKKI DESIGN.
NOW, I GET TO DO WHAT I DO BEST – COMBINE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, VISUAL INSIGHT, AND TARGET GROUP UNDERTANDING FOR THE BENEFIT OF MY CLIENTS.
MY GOAL IS TO CREATE DESIGN THAT DON’T JUST REMAIN IDEAS, BUT ARE REFINED INTO FUNCTIONAL AND COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS. I HELP BRANDS TO STAND OUT, GENERATE INTREST, AND INCREASE THEIR VALUE THROUGH HIGH-QUALITY, INSIGHTFUL DESIGN THAT SPEAKS TO THEIR TARGET AUDIENCE.
AND TARGET GROUP UNDERTANDING FOR THE BENEFIT OF MY CLIENTS.
MY GOAL IS TO CREATE DESIGN THAT DON’T JUST REMAIN IDEAS, BUT ARE REFINED INTO FUNCTIONAL AND COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS. I HELP BRANDS TO STAND OUT, GENERATE INTREST, AND INCREASE THEIR VALUE THROUGH HIGH-QUALITY, INSIGHTFUL DESIGN THAT SPEAKS TO THEIR TARGET AUDIENCE.
If you are looking for a design partner with experience, creative courage, and an industrial perspective, I would be delighted to assist you.