Laird Borrelli-Persson

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Marimekko

Finnish for Marys dress, Marimekko was founded in 1951 by Armi Ratia. Going against the restrictive fashion of the period, it produced flowing dresses in abstract patterns and vibrant colours, which remain the houses signature to this day. Over the last eight decades, Marimekko's artists have created some 3,500 designs, which have graced clothing, bags, accessories, ceramics, bedding, fabric, and more.

Blending archival photographs and advertisements with modern campaign imagery as well as newly commissioned photography, Marimekko: The Art of Printmaking tells the story of the houses most iconic designs. Four distinct sections guide the reader through the Marimekko philosophy and lifestyle, via its factory in Herttoniemi, where fabrics have been created from the very beginning, on to a rich sourcebook of pattern and finally to the brands ultra-sustainable, super-creative future.

In Art of Printmaking, follow the making of the iconic Unikko (poppy) print, its multiple variants and colourways, and discover how an initial idea evolves from sketch to dress, through colour trials and printing table. Learn Marimekkos unique Language of Pattern, through in-depth explorations of its iconic patterns, interspersed with the themes floral, minimalistic, architectural that make up Marimekkos vivid lexicon. In Making Marimekko and Marimekko Next, discover the past, present, and future of this creative powerhouse, in the voices of its own creative talents. Dive into the exhilarating tale of Marimekkos success and an unstoppable whirlwind of breath-taking imagery.