The Essence of Marimekko Identity
Marimekko’s commitment to lasting design is evident in all its creations, particularly in the iconic prints created by Maija Isola. Maija, a visionary artist, played a crucial role in shaping Marimekko’s identity. Her bold and colorful designs, inspired by her travels throughout Europe, North Africa, and America, brought a sense of joy and vitality to the brand’s collections. Isola’s most famous creation, the Unikko print, holds a special place in Marimekko’s history. Minna explains the origins of Unikko: ”Unikko was born from Maija Isola’s creative mind in 1964. Armi Ratia believed that the true essence of real flowers could not be faithfully captured in a print, which is why floral prints had been excluded from Marimekko’s collections.” Isola’s response was to break away from the conventional: a collection of graphic floral fabrics inspired by pop art, including Unikko, which has since become one of Marimekko’s most iconic designs.