Maarit Salolainen is Professor for Textile Design at Aalto University and Head of Master's Programme in Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design. She is an experienced international textile design professional with passion for bringing textile knowledge to multidisciplinary platforms. Salolainen has developed higher education studies in the field of textile and surface design, focusing on renewing textile studio pedagogy and linking textiles studies to fashion education. Furthermore, she has initiated experimental pedagogy in multidisciplinary pedagogical platforms exposing students from non-design backgrounds to creative artistic processes.

In addition to her academic work, Salolainen works internationally as a creative director consulting textile manufacturers and interior textile editors. Currently she works as a creative director for the Turkish textile mill Vanelli, leading a team of over 20 designers in developing new concepts, products and collections for international interior textile editors and brands.

In 2014 Salolainen was awarded with the Designer of the Year award by the Finnish Designers association.