Marimekko started gaining worldwide attention already in 1960 after Jackie Kennedy and some other celebrities made public appearances wearing Marimekko garments. Recent collaborations with famous brands such as Adidas and Uniqlo confirm that Marimekko still remains popular and relevant.
Armi Ratia`s vision was to empower women through the brand’s marketing and business practices. Photo: Marimekko
Marimekko was founded in 1951 by textile artist Armi Ratia. The name combines Mari, a woman’s name, and mekko, the Finnish word for “dress” (as in the item of clothing).
Ratia was forward thinking, and she wanted to empower women through the brand’s marketing and business practices. Marimekko has always placed women in leading positions, and the current CEO, Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko, took the job when she was just 33 years old.
Photo: Marimekko
The company has always been ahead of its time, according to Mika Ihamuotila, Marimekko’s largest shareholder and chairman.
Ihamuotila says that Marimekko`s fans are conscious of the clothes they buy, and that they also appreciate the values the brand represents: empowerment, timelessness and sustainability. From the start, the brand’s design philosophy has never been about following trends, but rather about creating designs that will be beautiful for a long time.
As sustainability is an important value for consumers, timeless designs are also a benefit on the second-hand market. The company piloted its own second-hand shop this summer, offering a curated collection of vintage Marimekko pieces from the 1960s to the 2000s.
Marimekko has also recently worked with Finnish textile industry innovators such as Spinnova and Ioncell to support the development of sustainable alternatives for cotton in clothing.
Read the full story HERE.
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