Marimekko is a Finnish textiles, and fashion company founded in 1951. It made an important contribution to fashion in the 1960s when restricting hourglass shaped dresses were being replaced by liberating dresses with simple silhouettes and abstract patterns in vibrant colours.

Two designers in particular, Vuokko Nurmesniemi and Maija Isola contributed strongly in making Marimekko a household name across the world.

The brand struck gold when Jacqueline Kennedy bought eight Marimekko dresses to wear throughout the 1960 US presidential campaign. As you can imagine, Marimekko spread across America.

Marimekko, which means “Mari’s dress” in finnish, was one of the first lifestyle brands to combine fashion, handbags and accessories, as well as home decor, into an expression of joyful living. Today Marimekko stores are in 40 countries and the company employs about 450 people.