Marimekko: The Finnish Textiles Company Which Left Its Mark

A strong Finnish design movement emerged after World War II and was given decisive impetus by the International Triennial's of 1951 and 1954 which defined the concept of "Finnish design." By formally integrating design into manufacturing, textiles from Marimekko acquired international attention through their identification of an exclusive market, responsive to the strong Finnish design aesthetic.

Marimekko was founded by Armi and Viljo Ratia in 1951 and has since established a reputation for producing quality textiles for home furnishings and clothing. The Finland-based company actually began in 1949 by acquiring Printex Oy-an oilcloth factory in the suburbs of Helsinki. After a refit, the factory reintroduced the craft-based technique of hand silk-screen printing on cotton
sheeting.

The technique, which was recognized by resulting irregularities and repeat lines, evoked a human feel to each design. Although production techniques were mechanized long ago, the company maintains hand-crafted quality in its printing. Its use of decorative designs and natural fibers strengthened its commitment to the Scandinavian affinity to nature.

Under the design direction of Armi, the company broke ranks with conventional Finnish textile designers and implemented a range of nonfigurative patterns, using abstract graphic designs of art colleagues. The first collection of simply cut dresses, introduced in 1951 in Helsinki, originated as a promotional vehicle for the company's printed cotton fabrics.

Wraparound and front-buttoned garments were included, accentuating the textiles rather than the styling of the garments. The collection was called Marimekko, combining the old-fashioned Finnish girl's name of Maria and the term mekko which described a tow shirt, open at the
back and worn like a pinafore. Since then "Maria's little dress" expanded into home furnishing textiles, with overseas licensing agreements (initiated in 1968) for wall coverings, bedding, decorative fabrics, paper products, table linens, kitchen ware, furniture (möbler), ceramics, glassware, rugs, and wall coverings.

By the end of the 20th century, Marimekko had engineered a major comeback in the U.S., with fabric and interior design (heminredning), wall coverings, bed linens, rugs and much more available to American buyers through a series of licenses. Though not as well known in America as many other textiles firms, Marimekko's bold, simple, classic print designs and characteristic use of color have established a permanently recognizable and highly individualistic identity that remains to this day.