Jukka Rintala’s cooperation with Marimekko began in an exceptional way. After years, the rude phone call ended it all.
Fashion designer Jukka Rintala recalls Ulla-Maija Paavilainen in a biography he wrote about his friendship with Marimekko’s late owner Kirsti Paakkanen.
The cooperation between Marimekko and Rintala lasted seventeen years.
Paakkanen arrived at Rintala’s study, which was located on Tarkk’ampujankatu at the time. However, the encounter did not go without a little “blunder.”
Jukka Rintala strengthened his name in the history of Finnish fashion with Marimekko. PASSI FLAME
“Should there be beer?” Rintala asked. There was no answer. Rintala did not know that Paakkanen was an absolutist, and at least the beer mug did not belong to his style.
Despite this situation, Paakkanen bought the Karelian Berries collection, which became a real hit for Marimekko. The outfits of the collection were seen by, among others, the Speaker of Parliament Riitta Uosukainenactor Eija Vilpaksen and economics Lenita Airiston above.
Kirsti Paakkanen liked Rintala’s creations. Picture from 2004. IL
The fire came
A historic moment came when Paakkanen sold Marimekko To Mika Ihamuotila in the autumn of 2007. With the company’s renovations, departure passports were distributed to old designers.
Rintala also received a call.
“This style of yours does not fit my Marimekko thinking,” Ihamuotila announced. “I’ve been in the industry for so long that I’m not notified of a departure by a mere phone call. I want the matter to be told to me personally, ”Rintala replied.
The book mentions that Rintala has never received a written paper about his kicks.
The designer later encountered Ihamuotila. Their conversation has remained in Rintala’s mind. Marimekko’s new owner had told him that “no matter how well you survive, you have to say”.
The top designer just settled for a comment.
Mika Ihamuotila became Marimekko’s President and CEO in the autumn of 2007. Pasi Liesimaa / IL
If the same words had been uttered to another person, this might have had a primitive reaction: “Oh, did you assume I would be depressed, fallen, and disappear from the market after the kicks?”
You can forgive but not forget. Kirsti Paakkanen thought the same.
Italicized paragraphs are quotes from the book.
Ulla-Maija Paavilainen: Jukka Rintala. The Lifeline (Otava) will be published on April 6th.