Paper Stars – Paper Dolls by Rauni Palonen, 1968–1982

The small-scale exhibition showcases paper dolls drawn by fashion artist and editor Rauni Palonen (b. 1929). Originally published in Apu magazine between 1968 and 1982, these drawings depicted the most celebrated stars of the era: beauty queens, singers, actors, television personalities, athletes, and even royalty from neighbouring countries.

Palonen would produce weekly sketches of celebrities, complete with outfits tailored to the latest fashion trends. For many, these paper stars were treasured toys. They were carefully cut out, glued to cardboard, accessorised with handmade outfits, and preserved with care.

Several of these paper stars were also a familiar sight at Kekkonen’s home in Tamminiemi or at the Independence Day reception at the Presidential Palace.

Paper Stars is a tribute to the long and distinguished career of fashion editor Rauni Palonen, whose paper dolls were known to the entire nation in her time. The collection donated by Palonen to the Finnish Heritage Agency’s Picture Collections contains a total of 207 paper stars. In this small-scale exhibition, approximately 80 figures are on display, featuring both digitised versions and original drawings.