Among the creations of the Finnish favorite brand, you can find numerous hit designs over the years.
Marimekko has been a trusted brand for Finns for years. There is something from Marimekko in almost every Finn’s wardrobe or home.
When Hanken found out this year which consumers think are the most innovative companies in Finland, the consumers thought Marimekko was the most innovative company in Finland. Marimekko made a drastic increase in the survey, because the previous year the company did not even fit into the top 10.
Marimekko’s patterns have been seen not only in Marimekko’s own products but also in collaboration collections with the Japanese brand Uniqlo and the mega-popular Adidas.
Marimekko’s long taipale can fit a lot of hit styles. The picture is from 1964. Tony Vaccaro
The most famous pattern is probably Unikko, but the archives of Marimekko, which was founded in 1951, also contain a total of about 3,500 different patterns. Among these patterns, you can find the most sought-after Marimekko fabrics of all time, which have been used to create wonderful clothes or home products over the years.
Do you recognize these Marimekko hit designs over the years?
Amphora (Maija Isola, 1949)
Maija Isolan the first fabric patterns were created in 1949. He got inspiration for the patterns from the pots, jugs and vases he saw in the museum in Oslo. One of these patterns is Amfora, which once gained great popularity. The pattern was designed by Marimekko’s predecessor, Printex, before Marimekko was founded in 1951.
Orange (Maija Isola, 1950)
The idea of the orange pattern came from Barcelona. On her long trip abroad, Maija Isola enjoyed plenty of oranges. Maija started designing the pattern in 1949 in the service of Marimekko’s predecessor, Printex.
The picture was taken from the Marimekko store’s 20th birthday party in 2004. All Over Press
Brick (Armi Ratia, 1952)
The Tiiliskivi pattern was designed by Marimekko founder Armi Ratia in 1952. The pattern reflects Armi’s belief in the simple beauty of everyday life. The beloved Tiiliskivi pattern turns 70 this year.
Piccolo (Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi, 1953)
In his first year at Marimekko in 1953, Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi created Piccolo, a striped fabric painted with free brushstrokes. Three years later, a shirt made of fabric called Jokapoika appeared in stores and on the street – apparently permanently.
The Jokapoika shirt made of Piccolo patterns can be found in the wardrobe of many Finns.
Dice (Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi, 1954)
The prints designed by Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi, who worked at Marimekko between 1953 and 1960, are timeless Marimekko design at its most authentic. Here’s the rhythmic checker pattern Noppa.
Stones (Maija Isola, 1956)
Maija Isola composed the Kivet pattern in 1956 from circles she cut out of colored paper with scissors. The shape of the patterns probably originates from the rubble-edged stones cleared from the grounds of the artist’s studio.
The picture is from Marimekko’s summer show in 2016. All Over Press
Saddle (Maija Isola, 1960)
At the turn of the 1960s, Maija Isola was inspired by folk art and created lace-like patterns on printed fabrics reminiscent of traditional embroidery designs. The saddle pattern was part of the decorative Ornament series.
The Seagull (Maija Isola, 1961)
The idea for the Lokki model was born in 1961 when Maija Isola was looking at a small window with a curtain drawn in front of it. The sun was shining, and wave-like shadows were forming on the curtain in wide folds. Maija had an aha experience: if the waves are already printed on the fabric, even a little bit of the fabric looks rich and pleated.
The Silkworm (Maija Isola, 1961)
“I dance with a brush”, Maija Isola described the evenings and nights she spent in 1961 in Marimekko’s printing hall, painting patterns meter after meter with a large brush while music was playing. Silkkiukika was one of those patterns created on the printing table in the wee hours of the night.
Jonas (Maija Isola, 1961)
The Joonas pattern was also born during those nights and evenings. This pattern by Maija Isola is inspired by the sun dancing on the waves of the Mediterranean.
Black Pepper (Annika Rimala, 1963)
Black pepper was part Annika Rimalan designed collection of interior designs from 1963.
Melon (Maija isola, 1963)
The large-patterned Melon, which stylizes natural forms, is one of the many patterns in Maija Isola’s 1960s productions that perfectly captures the spirit of the times.
Poppy (Maija Isola, 1964)
Unikko, symbolizing creativity and courage, was born at a time when Marimekko’s design world did not include flowers. However, Maija Isola was interested in the flower theme, and she decided to design a whole series of new types of strong flower designs.
Before the 2000s, Unikko was not seen decorating clothes at all.
Today, the poppy pattern can be found in almost every new Marimekko collection. The jacket called Maddy can be found in Marimekko’s latest collection.
Sirene (Maija Isola, 1964)
While traveling in Greece in the early 1960s, Maija Isola was inspired by the movement of water and depicted it, among other things, in her Seireeni patterns in 1964.
The Well (Maija Isola, 1964)
The idea for the Well pattern was born when Maija Isola dropped a bucket in the water while visiting the well and stopped to watch the living rings forming on the surface of the water.
The Wave (Annika Rimala, 1965)
Before coming to Marimekko, Annika Rimala had studied graphic design, and it was strongly visible in many of her designs. A good example is the dynamic Laine from 1965, which has maintained its popularity year after year. This pattern can be seen, for example, in the latest collaborative collection between Marimekko and adidas.
Puketti (Annika Rimala, 1965)
The Puketti patterns designed by Annika Rimala combine two patterns typical of Marimekko: a ball and a flower. The pattern is one of the most loved Marimekko classics.
Finland (Annika Rimala, 1965)
The Suomu pattern is by Annika Rimala. This pattern will be seen as part of Marimekko’s 2022 winter collection. It has also been seen in the popular TV series Emily in Paris!
In the second season of the Emily in Paris series, Lily Collins, who played the main role in the series, was wearing a Marimekko hat. All Over Press
The Emperor’s Crown (Maija Isola, 1966)
The Imperial Crown, reminiscent of the onion domes of a Slavic church, is a representative example of the large, painting-like patterns designed by Maija Isola in the 1960s.
The Bull (Maija Isola, 1967)
The bull belongs to Maija Isola’s geometric patterns of the 1960s, where we have seen points of convergence with constructivism, which gained popularity in Finnish art in the same decade. The bull pattern can also be seen in Marimekko’s winter 2022 home collection
Flat track (Annika Rimala, 1968)
When both women and men started wearing jeans more and more, Annika Rimala wanted to design a collection of tricot clothes that go well with jeans. That’s how Marimekko’s first trichome collection was born in 1968.
The Tasaraita pattern is still a very familiar sight in Marimekko’s collections. This shirt also has a small Unikko pattern flower printed on the front.
Strawberry Mountains (Maija Isola, 1969)
Mansikkavuoret designed by Maija Isola is a pattern inspired by 1960s pop art. The strawberry mountains pattern has also been seen in the collaboration collection launched with Marimekko and the American brand Mansur Gavriel in the summer of 2022.
To love, not to love (Maija Isola, 1972)
Maija Isola’s Rakastaa, ei rakasta pattern from 1972 is a gentle, joyful pattern, the purpose of which is to take your thoughts to a relaxed summer mood.
Bo Boo (Katsuji Wakisaka, 1975)
Katsuji Wakisaka The Marimekko classic Bo Boo once captured the hearts of both children and child-loving adults in an instant.
The Whisper (Fujiwo Ishimoto, 1981)
Kuiskaus patterns created by Fujiwo Ishimoto have both strength and sensitivity. It combines influences drawn from Japanese aesthetics and Marimekko’s pattern design heritage. The Kuiskaus pattern is also seen as part of Marimekko’s home winter collection 2022.
Snowberry (Erja Hirvi, 2004)
Inspired by winter nature, Lumimarja has grown in popularity year by year. Erja Hirvi built a pattern sketch from the real branches of a snowberry bush in 2004.
Transplant nursery (Maija Louekari, 2009)
Maija Louekari designed by Siirtolapuutarha pattern tells a story in which you follow the journey from the city to the transplant garden and finally get a peek at the lush flower and vegetable beds.
Rag rug (Maija Loukari, 2009)
The räsymatto pattern is designed by Maija Louekari.
The Beginning (Maija Louekari, 2017)
The bean-like patterns of the Alku pattern designed by Maija Louekari depict seeds that grow into handsome, vibrant flowers.
Herbarium (Lotta Maija, 2018)
The simultaneously strong and delicate atmosphere of the herbarium pattern is created by different contrasting elements. Lotta Maijan in the designed pattern, large and small flowers, sharp and round shapes create a fascinating contrast.
The Bearing (Antti Kekki, 2021)
The starting point for the Laakeri pattern, which expresses the energy and joy of the new growing season, was a large leafy vine. Designer Antti Kekki wanted to build a large-scale, abstract pattern that divides the surface area of the fabric.