Print stories

Print stories

Marimekko is a Finnish design house founded in 1951, which is noted for its colourful and bold graphic prints. Their archive of some 3,500 prints have been reborn time and time again in thousands of imaginative colour palettes, proving their timeless appeal. Here are the six prints from the Summer 2024 UNIQLO x Marimekko limited-edition collection.

  • 01Ruukku (flowerpot)
  • 02Melooni (melon)
  • 03Lirinä (sound of gurgling water)
  • 04Demeter
  • 05Asema (station)
  • 06Galleria (gallery)

Ruukku (flowerpot)

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Ruukku (flowerpot)
Maija Isola, 1972

Nature was a significant source of inspiration for Maija Isola throughout her career. Flowers in different styles were a frequent motif in her designs, year after year – in the expressive Ruukku (flowerpot) pattern, she painted an inviting, undulating sea of flowers.

Melooni (melon)

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Melooni (melon)
Maija Isola, 1963

A large, laid-back pattern of stylised natural forms, Melooni (melon) is one of the many designs from Maija Isola’s output of the 1960s that superbly captured the spirit of the times.

Lirinä (sound of gurgling water)

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Lirinä (sound of gurgling water)
Pentti Rinta, 1972

Pentti Rinta’s design work for Marimekko from 1969 to 1987 was marked by versatility. He was equally adept at creating impressive, imaginative prints as he was restrained geometric patterns. The wavy pattern Lirinä (sound of gurgling water) is evocative of time spent by rivers and streams in summer.

Demeter

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Demeter
Katsuji Wakisaka, 1970

Demeter is a small, stylised floral pattern by Katsuji Wakisaka. Printing by hand, the designer ran hundreds of tests to study different combinations of colours on the petals and the centre of the flower.

Asema (station)

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Asema (station)
Pentti Rinta, 1970

Designed by Pentti Rinta in the 1970s, the composed and minimalistic Asema (station) pattern has been featured on clothing as well as many different accessories over the years.

Galleria (gallery)

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Galleria (gallery)
Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi, 1956

Marimekko's print history has always featured stripes. Some have stood on their own, while others have quietly supported other patterns. Some have lived for a season or two, while others have lived for decades. Galleria (gallery), designed by Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi, is one of those powerful prints that have become timeless classics.