Drawn to be the best - Medanta designer Anssi Ruokoski

Sustainability in workwear begins at the design table. A high quality and well fitting garment is safe and comfortable to wear day after day. Appearance matters too.

“Workwear needs the right look so that it appears both professional and well designed. In customer facing situations, for example, it must not be confused with the customer’s clothing. The focus of a work garment must always be to remain a work garment,” says fashion designer Anssi Ruokokoski.

In recent years, many employers have also wanted to invest in a broader workwear range. Not everyone needs to wear the exact same shirt. Instead, employees can choose from different options and dress in a way that feels more individual.

“Finland will continue to need skilled professionals more than ever. Talented employees deserve workwear that reflects their value and lifts their spirits.”

At Medanta, bold new designs are created alongside the active development of new sustainable fabrics in close collaboration with leading textile experts.

“When I joined the company in 2021, I was positively surprised by how many proprietary fabrics we already had. Materials designed specifically for us are a major advantage. They give the design work inspiring structure and new possibilities.”

Workwear development requires persistence and realism. The journey from raw material testing to a finished garment is long. Workwear must meet strict durability and lifecycle requirements across materials, quality and environmental standards. These demands are far higher than in the fashion industry.

“Many new raw materials sound exciting and make great headlines. A unique evening gown can feature sequins made from algae or fibers derived from orange peel. Workwear, however, is a different world. It must meet strict industry criteria, and we cannot use materials that do not withstand years of industrial laundering.”

“Our customers also challenge us to develop better materials. We act quickly when we believe a new innovation truly meets the quality requirements of workwear.”

Good workwear builds professional confidence

For Anssi Ruokokoski, the best thing about working at Medanta is the forward looking and ambitious mindset.

“Creative thinking and design are given exceptional freedom here. We can almost do anything. The inspiring atmosphere pushes design towards the future. Not every experiment succeeds immediately, but once an idea matures, it may find its place in a future project.”

The workwear of the future will be more athletic, more fashionable and more individual. Inspiration is drawn, for example, from relaxed street style.

“We dare to try unexpected solutions. Thoughtful design and clever details make garments interesting. Workwear succeeds when it strengthens the wearer’s professional confidence.”

Sustainable workwear is the sum of many factors. When pleasing aesthetics, functionality, comfort and durability come together, the result is a long lasting companion. Anssi Ruokokoski sketches his designs by hand.

Could the fibre of the future be created almost from nothing?

Anssi explains that hundreds of projects around the world are currently exploring new and innovative materials.

“We will certainly see impressive and more sustainable fibers, some of which will also be suitable for workwear. Food is already being produced from air. Why could a fibre not one day be created almost from nothing, possibly both durable and biodegradable? In the near future, our goal is for most of our fabrics to be biodegradable. Our ultimate ambition is that our workwear leaves no unnecessary environmental burden or emissions behind.”

Garments can already be equipped with sensors, chips and technology, which will further transform their purpose in the future. Medanta has participated in smart workwear development projects for years. One day, we may see work garments that change colour or feature electronically replaceable hologram logos. These innovations still require time.

“When you love a garment and it feels comfortable and durable, you want to wear it again and again. That alone makes it more sustainable. Quality is the best environmental act, now and in the future.”

“The world needs new innovations and sustainable solutions. At Medanta, we can create something new with an open mind and reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry through our own work,” says fashion designer Anssi Ruokokoski.

Anssi Ruokokoski

• Work fashion designer at Medanta.
• Has build a long career as a fashion designer in several Finnish clothing companies.
• Winner of the Golden Hanger Award in 2007.
• Named Fashion Designer of the Year in 2008.
• In addition to fashion design, Ruokokoski also works in visual art.