Armi Ratia founded Marimekko in Finland in 1951, bringing colour to a grey time following the war, saying ‘One has to dream and one must stand out from the rest’.
Well they certainly did that with their first fashion show held in a chic hotel in Helsinki – models strutted onstage in Maija Isola’s printed fabrics. Women went wild for the colourful patterns and clean lines, so with the buzz and success of this catwalk the first shop was opened in the capital very quickly the following year.
Over these last 60 years, Marimekko has adapted and modernized to keep up with the ever changing fashions, yet this Finish company has stuck to Ratia’s initial values, using bright colours, bold prints and fun designs to give the brand an immediately recognisable identity.
After the death of the inspirational Ratia in 1979, Kirsti Paakkanen took over the helm more than 10 years later. Shaking things up and bringing in new designers, she has helped Marimekko become stronger than ever; artists have been encouraged to be even more creative, whilst maintaining Ratia’s dream of bring joy to people’s everyday lives.
Marimekko truly spans every generation with their designs, proudly including Ms Dell’Orefice, at 81 years old the world’s most mature supermodel, in their 2012 New York Fashion Week catwalk show!