Designer Spotlight: Marimekko’s Mika Piirainen

On Friday I walked over to the Marimekko flagship on Newbury Street to meet Finnish designer Mika Piirainen, who was in town to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Marimekko’s iconic “Unikko” print. You know, the oversize mod floral that immediately springs to mind when someone utters Marimekko.

Mika Piirainen, who graduated from the Lahti Institute of Design and Fine Arts in Finland, is celebrating his 20th anniversary with the company. He snagged a position with Marimekko back in 1994, after the head of women’s fashion for the brand saw his final student presentation at Ravensbourne College in London.

He says, “The Marimekko people came to critique the show, and afterwards, they told me to call them. I had an interview within a few days, and got hired as a design assistant in the middle of the first meeting.” Then he adds, “I was lucky.”

That fateful collection was inspired by milkmaids in the Finnish countryside, and he reprised it just three months after starting at the firm. He says, “I redid the milkmaid collection in black, navy, and white, using the same shapes and materials. They sold quite well.”

Piirainen worked on staff at Marimekko for several years, and then transitioned into a freelance role, which has been good for both him and the company, which has almost 20 freelance designers on tap.

He says, “At this point I’ve done everything—women, men, kids, umbrellas, towels.  I used to do lots of kids, but I’m done with that. Now I concentrate on women’s clothing and bags. “As for how many pieces he puts out, he recalls, “One year I made 140 pieces, now it’s more like 20 to 30.”

He favors simple silhouettes that let the textile designs speak for themselves. And although he sometimes designs his own prints, he also likes to use those created by young designers. He’s also been using lots of archival prints for new pieces he designs. After all, Marimekko has about 3,000 prints in its archives.

Piirainen explains, we have to check in with copyrights, talk to them about scale and color. Some like to have input, others say we can do whatever we want.”

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Mika Piirainen and I chatted on the lower level of the Marimekko store.

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Then we went upstairs so he could show me some of his designs. Piirainen designed this Silvi dress, as well as the actual textile pattern, named “Sato.”

Mika Piirainen Textile Design Marimekko

Piirainen prefers a neutral palette. With “Sato” he used black & white, playing with the positive and the negative. He hand draws his textile designs, rather than designing them on a computer. He makes big swishing motions with his arm to describe the movements he used in the studio while putting these freeform lines to paper.

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Marimekko celebrates the 50th anniversary of its “Unikko” floral this year. Love the Unikko bean bags.

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Gift Guide: Marimekko Stocking Stuffers

Don’t wait until the last minute and stuff junk into the stocking. Take some time to find a few treasures. Marimekko has lot of colorful stocking stuffers, including iPhone cases, pouches, potholders, umbrellas, gloves, scarves, mugs, and more.

Marimekko Holiday Stocking Stuffers For Everyone

S H O P P I N G

1 Siirtolapuutarha iPhone Case

2 Kuusikossa Oven Mitt

3 Inari Make-up Bag

4 Olja Socks

5 Ujo Slippers

6 Matkoilla Notepad

7 Hauki Mug

8 Piccolo Coin Purse

9 Pikkupoika Dopp Kit

10  Viiru Gloves

11 Lumimarja Umbrella

12 Mini-Unikko Scarf

Shopping Trip: Marimekko

I stopped by the Marimekko flagship on Newbury Street the other night. They were serving hot cocoa and cookies, and whipping up custom made tablecloths. (There’s a glassed in sewing booth downstairs where the magic happens.) Of course, with all the great color and pattern, and fab gift wall in the entry, I couldn’t resist taking a million photos. Tour the Marimekko store with me;  you’ll spot lots of holiday gift inspiration.

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Gift Guide: Marimekko Fashions for Women, Men, & Kids

As I mentioned last Monday, StyleCarrot has partnered with Finnish design house Marimekko  with a series of holiday gift guides, among other projects. (Tomorrow evening I’ll be live blogging from the Marimekko flagship on Newbury Street in Boston—please stop by if you’re around.)

Las Monday’s gift guide, Marimekko for the Host, focused on tabletop and kitchen items. For our second installment, we bring you Marimekko fashions for your best friend, cousins, etc.— Marimekko clothing and accessories for men, women, and kids.

Marimekko Clothing Jewelry Accessories Presents

S H O P P I N G  for H E R

1 Lumimarja Scarf

2 Purkkis Necklace

3 Keinu Bangle 

4 Soiree Keilat Clutch

Räsymatto iPhone Case

6 Soma Dress

7 Ihvi Dress

8 Mini-Unikko Kinto Make-up Bag 

9 Paakkelsi Tote

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Marimekko Clothing & Accessories For Men
S H O P P I N G  for H I M

1 Kolja Socks

2 Kieppi Scarf

3 Erkki Silk Pocket Square

4 Reipas Scarf

5 Rainer Tie 

6 Tensori Sweater

7 Aikapoika Weekender

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S H O P P I N G  for K I D S 

Marimekko Clothing For Girls Boys Baby

Rekkomekko 2 Tunic

Uniasu Pyjamas

3 Nakke Coverall

Rakki 2 Shirt

Maalari Shirt

6 Pohjantähti 1 Tunic

 

 

 

Gift Guide: Marimekko for the Host

I am excited that StyleCarrot has partnered with Marimekko again this holiday season for a series of holiday gift guides. Today’s gift guide—Marimekko presents for a host or entertainer—is the first. Pretty much anything from Marimekko is a delight. The modernist tableware silhouettes, even in plain white, hold timeless appeal, and the bold patterns effortlessly enliven a tabletop scheme.

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S H O P P I N G 

1 Unikko Tea Towel Set, $36 and Kuusikossa Tea Towel, $18

2 Black Oiva Square Small Plate, $17

3 Clear Socks Rolled Down Stemware, $45 and Dessert Bowl, $49

4 Räsymatto Bowl, $29.50

5 Kompotti Rectangular Plate, $24

6 White Oiva Dinner Plate, $32

7 Lavender Socks Rolled Down Tumblers, $39/pair

8 Unikko Plywood Tray, $62

9 Puketti and Fokus Pot Holders, $14 each

10 Socks Rolled Down Pitcher, $89