MARIMEKKO

MARIMEKKO was founded by Finnish entrepreneur Armi Ratia, who saw an opportunity in her husband’s textile business and a bright future for textile design. In 1951, Armi gathered promising young artists to design new and striking fabric prints. To showcase their work, Armi organized a fashion show with designer Riitta Immonen who revolutionized the restrictive fashion landscape of the time with flowing dresses in abstract patterns and bold colours. The event put Marimekko on the map and the dresses were sold on the spot. Translating to “a dress for Mary”, Marimekko’s liberating silhouettes and distinctive prints and colours continue to be embraced by today’s independent and informed modern woman.

Marimekko designs are timeless, and the brand is committed to extending the product lifecycle to reduce their environmental impact. They select materials based on quality and longevity, and use natural fibres like cotton, wool and silk.

The brand is a member of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), and they support research into innovative, sustainable materials.

The brand has its own textile printing factory in Helsinki that operates with biogas and renewable energy. The majority of the fabrics printed in the factory are certified to STANDARD 100 by OEKOTEX. They also work with 75 partners around the world, who are committed to their sustainability requirements and Code of Conduct.

MARIMEKKO is available at these independent stores.