These guys need no introduction, their original prints and colours are instantly recognisable and celebrated worldwide. Finnish design house Marimekko started out in 1951 with a simple mission of bringing joy to everyday moments. Over the years, they’ve remained true to their original mission through timeless, distinctive and function designs, empowering people to be happy as they are. Marimekko is said to be one of the world’s first real lifestyle brands combining fashion, bags and accessories as well as home decoration into one unique point of view.
Take one look at Marimekko’s core values and you’ll instantly understand the foundation on which their story has been built. They believe that people should always be themselves, living their lives as they desire and to express their personality boldly through the way that they dress themselves and their homes. The brand creates products that bring people joy for a long time and cause the minimum of environmental impacts.
MARIMEKKO’S STORY
Let’s rewind back to 1949 when Viljo Ratia founded Printex, a small Helsinki-based textile printing company. Viljo’s wife, Armi Ratia, had a strong vision of a bold future in textile design and manufacturing. She took the first steps to creating Marimekko, rounding up a bunch of promising young artists and asking them to create new and striking fabric prints for Printex.
During the 50s, there wasn’t a whole lot of buyers. No one knew quite what to do with the unusual fabrics! Armi knew just the solution, a fashion show filled with colour, grace and exceptional patterns. The clothes were designed by renowned fashion designer Riitta Immonen and they literally sold out on the spot! Just 5 days later, Marimekko was registered as a company and the following year opened its first store in Helsinki. For a nation struggling with scarcity and greyness after the Second World War, Marimekko was a welcome source of colour and joy.
The 60s got off to a good start when First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy bought seven Marimekko dresses and wore one of them on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1960. Yup, true story! It was also the 60s when Marimekko became an internationally renowned phenomenon and a way of life. Their product range expanded rapidly, including a variety of accessories and items for the home. New fashion designers joined the company, bringing Marimekko in sync with the pop culture.
Marimekko has a long and rich history and the brand continues to pave its way for even brighter future. We’ve only skimmed over some of the defining moments from their earlier years above, but you can check out their whole story here.
PRINTED IN HELSINKI
The heart and soul of Marimekko’s print design is their own textile printing factory in Helsinki where the bold prints and colours come to life. It’s hard to believe, but more than one million metres of fabric are printed at the factory every year! Located at Marimekko’s headquarters, it allows designers to work closely with the craftsmen who realise the prints onto fabric one step at a time. Doing things together under the one roof results in creativity, innovation and originality.
SHOP MARIMEKKO
Are you ready to add Marimekko’s unique patterns and colours to your home? Perfect every day of the week, their range of tableware and textiles will bring a whole lotta joy to everyday moments. View the whole Marimekko range online here.
Photography by Marimekko.
