Mallikoulu was a Finnish television reality show. The first season aired in 2005 on an MTV3 channel followed by half an hour follow up show on the smaller channel Sub.
However, it wasn't made from the format of America's Next Top Model but from a new one created by former Finnish top model Marita Hakala, there were some similarities to the famous American TV show hosted by Tyra Banks. Instead of making the show only for the TV-viewers as in America´s Next Top Model, it was teaching shy Finnish girls how to make it in the big world of Fashion business based on Hakala´s own experience.
At the end of the first season of Mallikoulu with 625 000 viewers, Suvi Koponen was announced as the winner. She won model agency contract with leading model agency Women in Milan, Italy. Ever since Suvi Koponen has established incredible modeling career. She has worked for numerous designers including Anna Sui, Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Anne Klein, Blumarine, Miu Miu, BCBG Max Azria, Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton, Nina Ricci and Prada. Koponen has also had an editorial in the French Vogue shot by David Sims. Koponen has also appeared in the American Vogue.
The second season of Mallikoulu was seen in 2006. The winner was 16-year-old Sanni Salminen. Salminen hasn't managed to surpass Suvi Koponen and has not been working much as an international model yet.
