From her sketchbook to your home and wardrobe: Petra Börner’s wearable art
Collaborating with artists is woven into the fabric of Marimekko’s identity. A seamless continuation of this tradition is the Marimekko Artist Series, where artists are invited to create unique collections in collaboration with Marimekko. But how does a piece of art travel from an artist’s desk to a finished product? Let’s take a closer look at the process.
Marimekko’s Artist Series has previously featured Virginie Hucher’s painted works and Landon Metz’s hypnotic visual storytelling. German artist Sabine Finkenauer collaborated on a capsule home collection. Now, the fourth chapter of the series introduces Sweden-born, London-based artist Petra Börner, celebrated for her bold interplay of colors and organic shapes.
A flourishing vision
Petra’s expressive, dynamic floral motifs bring a fresh lens to Marimekko’s 2025 theme. This year, our collections explore the anatomy of flowers, following their journey from spring’s first buds to autumn’s fading blooms. Petra’s signature style—joyful, free-flowing growth and her distinctive use of color—provided the perfect inspiration for this collaboration.
Many of the pieces in this collection were born in Petra’s ever-present sketchbook, which she carries everywhere. She sketches wherever inspiration strikes—whether it’s on the London Underground or in the studio. For this collection, Marimekko worked with both new artworks and reimagined earlier sketches. The result: eight striking designs, with four appearing in clothing and accessories, and the other four featured in home products.
Once the artworks were selected, Marimekko’s design teams got to work, reinterpreting Petra’s creations for timeless pieces like Oiva tableware and Marimini dresses.
From artwork to pattern: A masterclass in teamwork
The transformation of Petra’s artworks into repeatable patterns required a blend of artistic finesse and technical expertise. The team at Marimekko’s artwork studio worked on the pieces together with the artist, Marimekko’s designersand the printing mill professionals to ensure each printed work becomes a seamless patterns while maintaining the original essence of her art. Every detail was considered, from the number of print colors to the choice of printing techniques, and even strategies for minimizing fabric waste. For apparel fabrics, patterns were designed for two-way cutting, ensuring maximum material efficiency.
Petra’s vibrant designs, such as Eldfamn for apparel and Vildstjälk for home products, presented exciting challenges for the artwork studio. Achieving the desired pattern repeats required precision, expertise, and a keen artistic eye. The Vildstjälk print, created using screen printing, pushed the boundaries of Marimekko’s flatbed printing machines, ensuring every color and detail was captured to perfection.
This collaboration also ventured into new territory. A standout piece is a serving dish featuring the Vildmo design, for which Petra herself carved the mold—a true fusion of art and craft.
Wearable art and joyful home accents
The fourth Marimekko Artist Series collection launches in March 2025. The home collection includes tableware, a jacquard-woven cushion cover, and a throw. The apparel collection is ready for summer, with Petra’s vibrant patterns gracing party dresses in mini, midi, and maxi lengths. And there’s a little surprise waiting for May…
