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.

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.

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.