Marimekko facts
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Marimekko was founded in 1951 by Finnish couple, Armi and Viljo Ratia. Marimekko, translated literally means “Mary-dress.” Known for their bold, effusive textiles and readymade products, Marimekko has become a respected name in the design world.
History
Worn by style icon Jackie, Marimekko is synonymous with all that is modern, chic and sophisticated. From the very beginning, Marimekko was a company made by women for women. The company’s CEO, Armi Ratia, was responsible for making the avant garde designs of female artists like Maija Isola a part of the Marimekko identity. In the 1960s, bold prints and boxy fashions became the height of fashion in Finland and abroad, launching Marimekko into the international arena.
Worn by style icon Jackie, Marimekko is synonymous with all that is modern, chic and sophisticated. From the very beginning, Marimekko was a company made by women for women. The company’s CEO, Armi Ratia, was responsible for making the avant garde designs of female artists like Maija Isola a part of the Marimekko identity. In the 1960s, bold prints and boxy fas
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Marimekko facts for kids
Marimekko Oyj (trading internationally as Marimekko Corporation) is a Finnish textiles, clothing, and home furnishings company founded by Viljo and Armi Ratia in Helsinki in 1951. Marimekko made important contributions to fashion in the 1960s. It is particularly noted for its brightly colored printed fabrics and simple styles, used both in women's garments and in home furnishings.
Two designers in particular, Vuokko Nurmesniemi, with bold stripes, and Maija Isola, with large simple flowered prints such as the Unikkopoppy, created hundreds of distinctive patterns and helped to make Marimekko a household name across the world.
Etymology
The co-founder, Armi Ratia, first considered Armi as the company's name, but it was already registered. Her middle name was Maria, shortened to Mari; her husband Viljo thought of different names for women's clothing. In her home town of Koivisto, Armi heard people talking about dresses (Finnish: mekko), and so she came to the name Marimekko.
History
Foundation
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Marimekko: Get to know the brand that brings us timeless prints and endless joy!
SHAPING MARIMEKKO’S IDENTITY
This commitment to enduring design is evident in every Marimekko creation, but perhaps none more so than the iconic prints conceived by Maija Isola. A visionary artist, Maija has played a pivotal role in shaping Marimekko's identity. Her bold and colourful designs, inspired by her travels across Europe, North Africa, and America, brought a sense of playfulness and vitality to the brand's collections. Isola's most famous creation, the Unikko pattern, holds a special place in Marimekko's history. Speaking about the background of Unikko, Minna recounts, "Unikko was born from the creative mind of Maija Isola in 1964. Armi Ratia, believed that the true essence of real flowers couldn't be faithfully captured in print, which is why floral prints (had been) excluded from Marimekko collections." Isola's response was a departure from convention—a collection of graphic, pop-art-inspired floral fabrics, among them, Unikko, which has since beco
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