Artek and Marimekko join forces for a limited-edition collection. The project brings together Marimekko’s art of printmaking with Artek’s wood-bending expertise. Both companies stand as defining Finnish names in fashion and design, and this collection builds on their shared focus on architecture, nature, and human-centric pragmatism.
The collaboration forms part of Artek’s 90th anniversary program taking place in 2025. The products will be available worldwide through Artek and Marimekko stores, online platforms, and select dealers, but only for a limited time.
Marimekko Prints on Aalto Furniture
The collaboration applies some of Marimekko’s most iconic prints, designed by Maija Isola, onto classic Alvar Aalto furniture. The combination creates pieces that carry the recognisable qualities of both brands. Prints from Marimekko’s Arkkitehti series, commissioned by Armi Ratia and designed by Isola, decorate Aalto’s birchwood designs through a marquetry technique.
This marquetry method introduces patterns on veneer surfaces, which shimmer as they catch light and movement. The technique also minimizes wood waste, aligning with the companies’ shared focus on long-lasting design. Each piece uses Finnish birch sourced and produced at Artek’s factory in Turku, Western Finland.
Insights from the Collaborators
Marianne Goebl, Managing Director of Artek, described the collaboration: “Artek and Marimekko coming together may seem like an obvious match. The outcome, however, is anything but. We have woven together our respective identities, creative visions, and core expertise to create something truly unexpected. The collection is one of bold yet subtle beauty, and we hope the products bring joy and warmth to many homes.”
Rebekka Bay, Creative Director of Marimekko, added: “This collaboration takes Marimekko’s art of printmaking into an entirely new form that is brought to life through an interplay of pattern, light and a wooden canvas. We feel that this collection presents an elegant and unexpected way to combine Marimekko’s iconic patterns with Artek’s timeless furniture designs.”
The Designs and Their Functions
Three Aalto designs serve as the canvas for the collaboration: Stool 60, Bench 153B, and Table 90D. Each piece carries versatility and familiarity, designed to function in multiple ways within homes or public spaces.
Stool 60 can act as a seat, a table, a storage unit, or even a display surface, making it one of the most adaptable designs in the collection. Bench 153B offers practical seating while doubling as a useful surface for everyday needs. Table 90D, with its low profile, fits easily into daily living and adapts to both private interiors and shared environments.
The Prints and Their Origins
Marimekko selected three of Maija Isola’s prints for the collection: Lokki, Kivet, and Seireeni. Each design connects to her observations and travels. Lokki, or seagull, was created after she noticed wavy shadows cast by sunlight on a curtain. Kivet, meaning stones, drew inspiration from the rough-edged rocks that had been cleared from the grounds around her atelier. Seireeni, or siren, reflected the movement of water she observed during her travels in Greece and was designed in 1964.
These prints illustrate how Isola drew creativity from everyday life, drawing on her surroundings in Finland as well as her journeys through Europe, North America, and North Africa.
Celebrating 90 Years of Artek
The Artek + Marimekko collection forms part of Artek’s wider anniversary program. Founded in 1935 by Aino and Alvar Aalto, Maire Gullichsen, and Nils-Gustav Hahl, Artek set out to connect Finland to the international stage while introducing global ideas back to Finland.
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This collaboration with Marimekko reflects that mission. Both companies maintain a strong international presence while continuing to represent Finnish design culture.
