It is hardly possible to imagine, that a company from such a cold and reserved country, as Finland, would be able to produce such bright and colourful clothes items, bags and footwear. But is happens. And this company is Marimekko – probably, the second most popular Finnish company after Nokia.
Marimekko Corporation was created in 1951 by Armi and Viljo Ratia, who once asked their friends, a couple of artist, to apply their pictures and designs to cloth. This was the beginning of the first line of Marimekko dresses – bright, very simple and very cheerful.
The company’s rates rocketed in 1960s, when Jackie Kennedy herself bought 8 Marimekko dresses and was wearing them during the presidential campaign. No company would want better promotion, and Marimekko took advantage of the situation. The products by Marimekko were sold worldwide – not only the clothes and accessories, but also fabrics, toys, dishes and even toy houses. Some shops ordered Marimekko items just to make their shop windows look brighter and more attractive. Marimekko was really a fashion guru of 1960-1970s!
Though the company experienced some financial problems in 1990, by now it owns private boutiques in the USA and Canada, if not to speak about Europe, and makes 71,400,000 € annually! What is more, Marimekko has become a film and book star: for example Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City advertises Marimekko bikinis to the whole world!
