Young designer Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi, who had joined the company in 1953, created the iconic Marimekko Jokapoika shirt in 1956. Interestingly, master designer Tapio Wirkkala was one of the first to wear the shirt. It was an instant hit and remains popular today.
Marimekko went to the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958, and interest started to grow in the United States. A couple of years later, Jacqueline Kennedy posed for the cover of Sports Illustrated in a red sleeveless Marimekko dress, and instantly Elle, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Women’s World Daily and the New York Times spread the word like wildfire.
In 1964 Maija Isola defied Armi Ratia’s ban on florals and created another iconic design, the Inikko pattern. Other great fabric designs would come from Isola, such as Kaivo, Seireeni, Kivet and Lokki. Eventually, Maija Isola's daughter Kristina would join her at Marimekko, and they would form a design team.
By the mid-60s, Marimekko was firmly established as one of the foremost companies in design and fashion and has continued to be innovative and exciting.
From marimekko.com
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| The young Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi makedesignedobjects.com |
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| The Jokapoika shirt, worn by Armi Ratia (r) zavodbig.com |
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| A typical Marimekko geometric design scandinaviandesign.com |
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| The famous Marimekko logo stockholmobjects.com |
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| Jackie Kennedy and Marimekko designquest.biz |
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| Maija Isola and daughter Kristina finnstyle.com |
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| Inikko pattern |
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| Kaivo pattern whorange.net |
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| Kivet pattern zavodbig.com |
Take a look at this video about the company’s current venture with Converse, as well as some of the company history.
