Armi’s Marimekko

Armi’s Marimekko "One has to dream, and one must stand out from the rest". These are the words of Armi Ratia, the lady behind the Finnish textile and clothing design company known for its original prints and colours. Marimekko was founded in 1951 by rmi... More

Armi’s Marimekko "One has to dream, and one must stand out from the rest". These are the words of Armi Ratia, the lady behind the Finnish textile and clothing design company known for its original prints and colours. Marimekko was founded in 1951 by rmi Ratia and her designer friend, who was soon became Armi’s husband Viljo. The coluorful prints and clean cuts of Marimekko became an instant success among Finnish fashionists of the time: the patterns were new and original in the Finnish textile industry. International recognition came in the 1960’s, when the US first lady to be, Jacqueline Kennedy, bought seven Marimekko dresses and used them during the election campaign for her husband John F. Kennedy. The intellectuals and culture persons in United States took on Marimekko prints and patterns as their favourites. From the fifties to the seventies Marimekko was a central part of any Finnish wardrobe. From this standpoint it seemed like everyone owned something from Marimekko. Less