Actor Jani Volanen represented at Cannes

Jani Volanen is one of Finland’s most well-known and award-winning male actors, who has become familiar through his outstanding roles in films, TV series, and on the theatre stage over several decades. This versatile professional has also worked as a screenwriter and director.

Jani is now seen once again in the role of a tough antagonist in MTV3’s TV series L/OVER, alongside Krista Kosonen. In real life, Jani is a genuinely pleasant and relaxed man – also when it comes to his style of dress.

On the Road to Cannes

In spring 2025, the production team behind L/OVER received an invitation to the Cannes International Series Festival. The series was shortlisted for Best TV Series among eight finalists. With a total of 350 series submitted to the competition, making it to the finals was already a major achievement for the Finnish team.

Help! What on earth should I wear?
When the invitation arrived, Jani experienced a brief moment of panic: what does one wear to Cannes, with the Mediterranean shimmering in the background? He hadn’t owned a proper suit in years — and jeans simply wouldn’t do. A solution was needed.

“Luckily, I remembered hearing about a Finnish menswear brand with a store on Fredrikinkatu, close to my home. Pirjo jumped into action and reached out to FRENN’s Antti and Jarkko. And that’s where it all began.”

"I decided to dive right in and visited the FREN store to explore their collection. I was a little nervous at first, but the warm, relaxed welcome made it easy to try on different outfits. At work, my clothes are usually chosen for me by the costume designer, so I haven’t had to think much about it myself. This time, though, I was in the hands of professionals whose opinions I could trust completely."

A Classic Suit for Any Occasion

FREN’s head designer Antti Laitinen showed Jani pieces from the collection that were perfect for a festival trip. Together, they set out to create a comfortable, low-maintenance outfit that would still be stylish enough also for gala evenings.

Easy to mix and match
The versatile black merino wool suit became the core of the travel set, easily paired with different shirts depending on the occasion: T-shirts for a more relaxed look, and jersey button-ups for dressier events. The black Ilmo T-shirt paired with the Jere blazer and Seppo trousers was perfect for a casually glamorous look in Cannes. All the materials were breathable and flexible, and best of all, nothing wrinkles in the suitcase or during long days. A perfect representative outfit for warm southern climates.

Style without sacrificing comfort

"I honestly wouldn’t have believed I could get such a functional and easy-to-manage outfit for a week-long trip with just five pieces of clothing. It was easy to look presentable from morning to night just by changing a shirt."

"Wearing FRENN’s suit was a completely new experience. It was easy to be yourself without any unnecessary stiffness. It didn’t pinch or make me sweat, even in tight situations. Ten points."

Celebrating in Cannes

The production team jetted off to sunny Cannes at the end of April. The week was packed with representing the project from morning to night—performances, interviews, and glamorous gala events kept everyone busy.

“It was easy to dash from one event to the next when you knew you looked good no matter how hectic it got. The black-and-white outfit was a perfect choice.”

Photo: Olivier Vigerie

"Life on the streets of Cannes was something completely different from my everyday life, but in a relaxed yet stylish look designed together with professionals, I felt perfectly at ease. Clothes that truly suit you give a comfortable boost of confidence.

Two photos: Camille Fermon

L/OVER premieres on MTV3 on Sunday, January 25, 2026

After a long wait, the TV series—also seen on the big screen in Cannes—finally premieres in Finland. The show is a thriller-like relationship drama, with Jani playing a dangerously possessive man. The female lead is played by the stunning Krista Kosonen.

L/OVER was created by Marika Makaroff, Nina Honkanen, and Frog Stone, who is also the writer. The series was directed by Aleksi Salmenperä, and it has already been sold to 14 countries.

Photo: Camilla Canalini

After Cannes, the same black suit was also seen on Jani at the Independence Day reception of the President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb, in December 2025.

Check out Jani’s effortlessly festive festival look -> frennhelsinki.com/en/collections/jani-volanen-cannes-look

Photos in FRENN store: Jarkko Keronen