The art of printmaking since 1951
Marimekko is a Finnish design house founded in 1951. The unmistakable Marimekko prints have always been worn as bold badges of positivity and personal empowerment. Our lifelong mission is to bring color and joy into lives and homes everywhere and encourage people to be happy as they are.
It all started with a dress
When founding Marimekko in the early nineteen-fifties with her husband Viljo Ratia, Armi Ratia created one of the world’s first lifestyle brands. She had a remarkable ability to capture the spirit of her time, presenting the world with her much-welcomed vision for optimism and personal joy.
The journey began with a simple dress in captivating prints. A bold and carefree celebration of individuality, the Marimekko dress became an instant classic. The abstract patterns, architectonic shapes, and vibrant colors proved a perfect recipe for free-spirited women of all ages and sizes. Our dress has remained an empowering symbol for independent women everywhere, always current yet true to its original concept.
Printed in Helsinki
Our Helsinki printing factory is a bustling, free-spirited playground of creativity and the heart and soul of Marimekko—even our headquarters were built around it. Over the years, Marimekko designers have created some 3,500 print designs, which have graced everything from dresses and bags to ceramics, fabrics, and more.
Proving their timeless appeal, the iconic prints have been reborn time and again in thousands of imaginative color palettes. New pieces of printed artwork are introduced to an ever-evolving collection each year. From the very beginning, blown-up multi-layered prints in vibrant colors have been the hallmarks of our designs.
The Marimekko dress sparked an entire lifestyle universe. Since the beginning, our home products have also carried the uplifting message of timeless prints and colors.
The Marimekko dress sparked an entire lifestyle universe. Since the beginning, our home products have also carried the uplifting message of timeless prints and colors.
The Marimekko philosophy
"Where’s Marimekko’s secret? I don’t know. Perhaps it’s hidden under the printing table."
"Where’s Marimekko’s secret? I don’t know. Perhaps it’s hidden under the printing table."
Marimekko is, above all, a joyful way of life and a philosophy for living. We aspire to design objects that will be used and loved for generations—because of their timeless appeal and longevity. As they mix new ideas with archival inspirations, our designers and visiting artists aren’t creating for a particular nowness. Instead, they seek to capture the optimistic spirit of Marimekko that’s still contemporary after all these years.
Creating through community
Experimenting with print techniques, exploring new ideas, and doing things together have always been the path to innovation at Marimekko. Inside our printing factory, artists and designers work alongside skilled craftspeople in a shared pursuit of originality. Our thriving creative community is based on inviting creatives to collaborate with us. We wholeheartedly believe in the power of community in everything we do.
Perfect imperfections
The iconic Marimekko prints come to life in Herttoniemi, Helsinki. Each artist has their method of translating ideas and visions into sketches. Many paint or draw by hand; some work digitally, while others use photographs, paper cuttings, or dried plants. No matter the method, the human touch, perfectly imperfect, is always visible in a Marimekko print.
Coloring outside the lines
From encouraging empowerment to celebrating anti-elitist design, inclusivity and equality have always been at the heart of Marimekko. Be true to yourself and express your creativity! This was Armi Ratia’s dream for her customers, and it continues to be our message today. It also resonates throughout our organization as we remain committed to allowing every individual to shine, regardless of gender, age, or self-identification.
