Inspiration & Tips/Get to know/Marimekko

Bed with red floral bedding, a matching cup on a side table with a magazine.

Marimekko: Get to know the brand that brings us timeless prints and endless joy!

In the world of design, few brands have bridged the gap between fashion and interior design quite like Marimekko. Renowned for its bold prints, vibrant colours, and timeless designs, Marimekko has carved out a unique place in the design world. At the heart of this iconic brand lies the creative genius of individuals like Maija Isola, whose contributions have left a clear mark on Marimekko's legacy.

Updated Monday, March 30, 2026

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Bathroom decor with green floral shower curtain, bathmat, towel on stool, and orange slipper.

Unikko bathroom mat 73x74 cm

Sage-off white

$78.95

A round table with a green, pink, and white floral tablecloth, set with black-and-pink patterned mugs, plates, a pitcher, pastries topped with red currants, and pink glasses.

Unikko mug 40 cl

Off white-charcoal-sand-pink

$25.85

Unikko plate 20 cm

Off white-charcoal-sand-pink

$33

Beige rug with a raised floral pattern, featuring a light blue vase with a yellow flower on a patterned tray.

Unikko wool rug

Light beige, 140x200 cm

$2,466

A bedroom corner with light blue walls, two floating shelves, and a bed with blue and white floral bedding.

Unikko jersey duvet cover

Off white, light blue, navy, 150x210 cm

$187.85

The brand that brings joy to the people

Hailing from Helsinki, Marimekko has been celebrated for its bold patterns and free-spirited identity since the very beginning. Founded in 1951 by the visionary Armi Ratia, the brand was born from a desire to bring colour and joy back to a grey, post-war Finland. To realise this vision, Ratia began commissioning young artists to create striking, original prints for her husband’s textile printing business.

More than 70 years on, Marimekko’s vibrant, expressive designs continue to captivate audiences around the world. At the heart of the brand lies a philosophy rooted in timelessness and functionality, paired with a deep belief in perseverance and joy, values still championed today by Minna Kemell-Kutvonen, Design Director of Home & Print Design.

Among its most iconic creations is Unikko by Maija Isola, whose stylised poppy has become an unmistakable symbol of the brand—bold, optimistic, and enduring.

Armi Ratia - The founder of Marimekko

Maija Isola sits on the floor painting the famous Unikko pattern.

Maija Isola is the designer responsible for one of Marimekko's most recognisable prints - Unikko.

Shaping Marimekko's identity

Maija Isola was a visionary force and a defining figure in shaping Marimekko’s creative identity. Inspired by her travels across Europe, North Africa and America, she developed a bold, expressive design language, infusing the brand’s collections with colour, movement and an unmistakable artistic flair.

Her most iconic creation, Unikko, holds a special place in Marimekko’s history. Designed in 1964, the pattern named after the Finnish word for poppy became a defining expression of Isola’s fearless approach to form and colour.

At the time, founder Armi Ratia maintained that the essence of real flowers could not be captured in print, and floral motifs were therefore absent from the brand’s collections. Isola challenged this notion, creating a series of bold, graphic, pop art–inspired florals. Among them, Unikko emerged as the most enduring, an unmistakable symbol of creativity, independence and joy.

See products featuring the Unikko pattern here.

A stylish room featuring a tall wooden bookshelf filled with books and decor, a curved wooden chair, and a dark green rug.

MarimekkoUnikko wool rug

$8,939

Unikko is a powerful emblem of joy and creativity and one of our most beloved prints around the world.

Cream-colored dinnerware with pink and black floral pattern, including two bowls, two mugs, and a plate with green cherry tomatoes.

An image of a Unikko parasol from above with woman laying in the sunshine underneath.

Taken by legendary photographer Tony Vaccaro, in 1964 for LIFE magazine. This photoshoot, took place in Helsinki and Porvoo, and is now part of one of the most iconic sets of Marimekko photography.

Collaboration & Creativity

Characterised by collaboration, creativity and innovation, Marimekko takes a distinctly hands-on approach to design. With its textile printing factory located alongside its design and product development teams, the brand fosters a close, ongoing dialogue between designers and skilled printmakers.

“Marimekko’s own textile printing factory is located in the same building where our design and product development teams sit,” says Minna Kemell-Kutvonen. This unique setup allows artistic vision and technical expertise to evolve side by side—resulting in prints that feel both expressive and enduring.

Drawing inspiration from everything from Finnish nature to global culture, the design team works with a meticulous attention to detail. The result is a body of work that feels both distinctive and timeless, underpinned by Marimekko’s unwavering commitment to quality and longevity.

Streams of Marimekko fabric hang from the windows of an apartment block in Finland.

A breakfast table set with the Marimekko Unikko plates and teapot and a stack of pancakes with syrup.

Unikko plate beige-white

Ø20 cm

$29.70

Unikko plate 15x12 cm

The essence of Marimekko

Ultimately, the essence of Marimekko lies in the emotions it evokes. Minna tells us, "We hope that each Marimekko design will bring joy to its owner's everyday life, passing down its legacy to future generations." It is this enduring legacy of creativity, innovation, and joy that continues to distinguish Marimekko as a true icon of design excellence. From Maija Isola's visionary prints to the brand's forward-thinking initiatives, Marimekko remains a beacon of inspiration in the world of fashion and design.

Photography: Elof Martinsson, Marimekko