If you’ve ever traveled to Finland more than likely you’ve shopped, seen, or heard of Marimekko. Admired by fashion lovers and interior decorators alike, the company designs and manufactures high-quality clothing, textiles, tableware, and a bunch of cool accessories.
Known for its strikingly inventive patterns and clever use of colors in prints, Marimekko was first a phenomenon in 1951 when it was founded, then a lifestyle throughout Northern Europe and the Asian Pacific. The founder, Armi Ratia, commissioned young artists to create distinctive fabric patterns, which resulted in boldly colored, non-figurative designs that revolutionized textile printing. According to the Finns, Marimekko was traversing the boundaries between art and design long before anyone thought it possible.
Perhaps the most well known of its designs is “Unikko” a poppy from 1964, still one of the company’s biggest sellers. Marimekko hit it big in the U.S. when Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis bought and wore pieces of the collection throughout the 1960 presidential campaign.
Today, Marimekko, with 84 stores worldwide, is simply one of those brands that everyone adores. From shift dresses and custom made Converse sneakers to cotton linens and baby bibs, Marimekko has something for everyone and is available in 40 countries. An absolute favorite among the jet setters who frequent the shop off Helsinki’s Esplanadi and the flagship store on New York’s Fifth Avenue is the Matkuri bag. Ideal for a weekend jaunt from Helsinki to Saint Petersburg or a few days in the Hamptons, these stylish, lightweight bags starting at $179 U.S are available in beautiful one-of-a-kind prints or in solid leather or canvas for both men and women.
New for spring and designed to commemorate Helsinki as Design Capital of the World for 2012 is the Helsinki print, sure to be a hit among fashionistas. Shop the Marimekko site, in fact, have a look at the amazing design of a map of Helsinki, created especially for the Design Capital award. www.marimekko.com/marimekkovillage/helsinkimap
Helsinki has 6 stores, you could spend a day shopping them all.
Marimekko – Marikulma, Pohjoisesplanadi 33, Helsinki, 358-09-686-0240
Marimekko – 200 Fifth Avenue, New York City, 10011, 212-843-9121