Hasta La Ideas

The Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum recently kicked off “Design by Hand,” a new series focused on the craftsmanship, innovations, and merits of contemporary global designers, with an evening that spotlighted Marimekko. We sent writer Nancy Lazarus to get an inside look at the Finnish design house, renowned for its original prints and colors.

Marimekko’s Jussarö cotton fabric, designed by Aino-Maija Metsola, is part of the Helsinki-based company’s new Weather Diary collection. Below, Sami Ruotsalainen’s teapot uses the Räsymatto pattern designed by Maija Louekari.

While the name Marimekko is based on “Mari” a girl’s name, and “mekko,” the Finnish word for dress, to its legions of worldwide fans it stands for fond memories and cheery graphic prints. The Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum recently hosted an event featuring three Marimekko designers: fashion and textile designer Mika Piirainen, ceramics and product designer Sami Ruotsalainen, and print designer Aino-Maija Metsola. While each designer offered a unique insider’s perspective, selected themes surfaced that shed light on the brand’s impressive longevity:

Potpourri of patterns: “While Marimekko is known for bold designs, it’s not all about massive prints, it’s also about contrasts,” Piirainen said. “We’re crazy about dots, and circles are the friendliest shapes in the world. We’re crazy about stripes, too,” he added. Flowers and their textures are also popular motifs, even black and white solids. Recently these designers have also turned their focus to smaller prints.

Individual inspirations and influences: “It’s important that inspirations for products are close to you so people know there are emotions behind them,” Metsola said. Finland’s islands in the archipelago, seasonal weather patterns, and vegetation form the basis of much of her work, such as her “Weather Diary” aquarelles or “Midsummer Magic” collections. Piirainen is also influenced by nature, and takes photos during his travels to Lapland and Australia. For Ruotsalainen, food and items of everyday life impact his designs.
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News: Finnish design company Marimekko‘s classic floral print will appear on the livery of two Finnair aeroplanes as part of a collaboration that also includes a range of textiles and tableware for use onboard.

A Finnair Airbus A340 featuring Marimekko’s signature Unikko floral print from 1964 is already operating between Helsinki and Asian destinations, and another aircraft in Marimekko livery will appear next year.

From spring 2013 all of the Finnish flag carrier’s aeroplanes will use the Marimekko for Finnair tableware collection, which includes teapots, cups, plates and napkins.

“We hope that Marimekko’s sympathetic Unikko poppy flowers flying up in the sky as well as our other iconic prints as a part of the in-flight experience bring joy to people around the world,” said Mika Ihamuotila, Marimekko’s President and CEO. “I believe that the Marimekko and Finnair design collaboration will bring to hectic and often grey air travel joy, peace of mind and beautiful memories.”

The Marimekko products will be available for purchase by Finnair customers for the duration of the three-year collaboration.

Several national carriers have recently teamed up with home-grown design talent to give their services a local touch. Earlier this year we reported on news that Dutch designer Hella Jongerius was creating new cabin interiors for KLM, while fellow Dutch designer Marcel Wanders produced a set of tableware for the Dutch airline in 2010. Before that, Australian designer Marc Newson teamed up with Qantas Airways to design its First Class lounges in Sydney and Melbourne airports.

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Here’s the full press release from Marimekko:

Marimekko and Finnish airline company Finnair are teaming up to enhance the air travel experience with a new design partnership. From spring 2013 all Finnair aircraft will feature a Marimekko for Finnair collection of textiles and tableware, featuring Marimekko’s classic patterns. The Marimekko for Finnair collection is specially designed to add a light and fresh visual and tactile dimension to the onboard experience, while lightening the airline’s carbon footprint as well.

Two of Finnair’s long-haul aircraft will also wear livery based on Marimekko designs. An Airbus A340 featuring Maija Isola’s iconic Unikko floral print from 1964 is already operating between Helsinki and Finnair’s Asian destinations, and it will be followed by another aircraft in Marimekko livery in spring 2013.

“Finnair has a strong design heritage, and this cooperation brings our design thinking to a new level,” says Mika Vehviläinen, Finnair CEO. “Our goal is to become a design airline, and bring our customers unique experiences for all five senses. Cooperation with Marimekko is an important step towards this target. Finnair aircraft will become roving ambassadors of timeless Finnish design and creativity, giving our customers a special experience when they fly with us.”

”We hope that Marimekko’s sympathetic Unikko poppy flowers flying up in the sky as well as our other iconic prints as a part of the in-flight experience bring joy to people around the world,” says Mika Ihamuotila, Marimekko’s President and CEO. “Lately, we have wanted to connect Marimekko’s colourful design and fashion with surprising parties and forms of art, such as ballet, modern dance or visual arts. Now it is time to do something unforeseen up in the sky. I believe that the Marimekko and Finnair design collaboration will bring to hectic and often grey air travel joy, peace of mind and beautiful memories.”

During the three-year collaboration, an exclusive selection of Marimekko design products are also available for Finnair customers in in-flight sales and the Finnair Plus Shop.

In addition to adding value to the customer experience, both companies look forward to the collaboration helping build more awareness of their brands. Both companies have a long established presence in Japan but are growing rapidly in other Asian markets, China in particular.

“Finnair is a natural partner for Marimekko, as in my opinion it has been the first airline in the world to lift up design and place it strongly at the center of its service,” continues Ihamuotila. “With our collaboration we want to show how design can help improve the well-being of people in different moments of life. Furthermore, our design collaboration with Finnair supports our growth strategy, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, which is one of Marimekko’s key market areas.”

“Both of these brands are about bringing positivity, high quality and peace of mind to customers,” adds Vehviläinen. “We believe this collaboration will help generate new experiences and lasting, positive memories for a whole new generation of Finnair passengers in Asia.”

The post Marimekko makeover for
Finnish airline appeared first on Dezeen.

A playful marriage of Finnish patterns and classic American sneakers

Unveiling a new model, reissue and pitch-perfect collaboration, Converse’s triple-threat announcement today builds on the brand’s commitment to making everyday sportswear with playfully wearable style. For their spring collection, Converse partnered with
Marimekko, sourcing patterns—the colorful Tarha (1963) and the looping scaly Pikkusuomu (1965) by Annika Rimala and the tiny triangles of the Kirppu (1980) by Maija and Kristina Isola—from the Finnish textile house’s archives.

The work of some of Marimekko’s most iconic designers, the graphics also speak to Marimekko’s modern art influence—as explained in the
mini-documentary Converse made about the project.

The partnership brings the bold prints to both classic hi and low Chucks (around $80) as well as to two more surprising profiles—Helen ($75), a slightly more feminine Purcell named for Jack Purcell’s wife and reproduced stich-for-stitich, along with the PJ ($75-85), a brand-new look that’s slim and thin-soled, like a classic ’50s sneaker.

Packaged with equally cute shoe bags in matching prints, look out for the collection this spring on
Converse.com and at premium retailers.