Anu Leinonen graduated from the Lahti Institute of Design, which kickstarted a long career with Finnish clothing brands. Notably, she began an over 10 year long co-operation with Finnish design brand Lapuan Kankurit designing bath textiles. Leinonen believes that “encountering challenges in weaving leads to new discoveries," with her style focused on clarity and natural materials. Her beloved KASTE design was awarded the MUOTO 2012 award, as well as her TERVA design by Toimittajien tusina 2014 Editors choice award.

Finnish design has a long history and is know for simplicity, functionality, and craftsmanship. It's trademark designs emerged in the early 20th century, and gained international attention through pioneers like Alvar Aalto in architecture and furniture, as well as companies such as Iittala, Artek, and Marimekko. Their work emphasized clean lines, natural materials, and a harmonious balance between beauty and practicality. Everything must have a purpose. Iconic products like the Aalto vase, Artek’s Stool 60, and Marimekko’s bold textile patterns established Finland as a leader in modernist design. Over the next century, Finnish design became synonymous with high quality, technical skill, and timeless aesthetics—qualities that have earned it global recognition, particularly during the postwar years when Nordic design was celebrated worldwide, and still is. Today, Finnish products continue to enjoy international respect, not only for their aesthetic value but also for their reputation of reliability, thoughtful construction, and cultural authenticity.