Marimekko produces cheerful and fair products
15.5.2019
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Thomas Kunz
During Milan Design Week, the lifestyle brand Marimekko set up an entire flat in Via Palermo. After my visit, I wanted to move in immediately.
I have rarely seen an interior design that radiates as much cheerfulness as that of "Marimekko". At this year's "Salone del Mobile", the world's largest furniture fair, the brand from Finland designed an attic flat in the trendy Brera neighbourhood. It was decorated with products from the spring and summer home collection as well as design classics from furniture manufacturer Artek.
In addition to its collection, the Finnish design house presented a new purchasing method. Through it, not only individual products but also entire interior decoration sets are available in their online shop. I was lucky enough to be able to marvel at the two-room flat live and immerse myself in a world full of patterns and fairness.
Everything revolves around colourful design
At Marimekko, everything from decorative cushions to tableware has a colourful design. Every print seems to tell a story. The floral prints in particular make me feel like spring. Other patterns, on the other hand, are so abstract that they give my mind room to wander.
Although I always thought that pattern mixing only worked in fashion, Marimekko proves me wrong: the different patterns look very harmonious when combined. When it comes to my interior design, I usually hold back when it comes to bringing graphic elements and bold colours into play. I've always preferred pastel shades and plain-coloured accessories. Looking back at the charming two-bedroom flat, this seems very well-behaved to me and encourages me to try out new things.
Fairness is written in capital letters
Before I stock up on their colourful designs in the future, I first want to know where and how the lifestyle brand produces. I find what I'm looking for on their website, as Marimekko publishes an annual list of its most important contractual partners and, unlike most, discloses its supply chains.
About seventy per cent of all products are produced in Europe and the rest in Asia under fair conditions. When selecting its suppliers, the brand makes sure that they are aware of the manufacturing conditions. To this end, it works with the international "amfori BSCI" initiative. This monitors and promotes working conditions in global supply chains.
To ensure that Marimekko products can be passed on from generation to generation with the right care, the finishing touches are made in the company's own factory in Helsinki. Close collaboration between designers and textile specialists is possible on site. This promotes quality control and ensures that the fabrics used for the tableware prints are of the highest quality. So there's nothing to stop me from being infected by the responsible Marimekko label and the beautiful illustrations from now on.
Follow me, if you want to know whether I came across any other successful collections in Milan besides Marimekko. Just press the black button on my profile. I look forward to your plan.
Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
Decoration
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