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| Marimekko Flying High |
These are exciting times for Marimekko, the Finnish textile company known for its bright, bold prints is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The anniversary comes at a time when Marimekko is expanding at a rapid pace. There are already 84 Marimekko stores worldwide, seven of them opening this year alone, including a massive flagship store on New York's Fifth Avenue. Its London presence will be expanding too, with a second store opening in the coming months at Shoreditch. It is clear that Marimekko is on a roll right now.
Founded by textile artist Ami Ratia in 1951, Marimekko came as a breath of fresh air at a time of post second world war austerity. Ratia’s idea was to supply some much-needed playfulness and fun and revitalize the dying fashion industry. The formula worked and how! At the very first Marimekko fashion show in Helsinki, women went wild for her graphic print dresses. The free flowing shift dresses were the complete opposite to the 1950s fitted, waist-pinching dresses. A shape that women embraced immediately, for it was forgiving and flattering at the same time.
To kick start its 60th anniversary celebrations, Marimekko held a fashion show at the Esplanade Park in Helsinki. The show on a sunny May afternoon took place exactly 60 years from the fashion show that started the Marimekko story.
The event culminated with the debut flight of the Unikko (poppy) hot-air balloon over the Helsinki silhouette.
All images courtesy Marimekko.
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