Copenhagen Fashion Week: Marimekko Showcases Bold Expression of Pattern and Heritage

Finnish fashion and lifestyle brand Marimekko unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026 collection in a  runway show that merged bold pattern expression with industrial performance art on August 7 at Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Staged in a former industrial site along Copenhagen’s harbour, the venue’s raw, utilitarian backdrop created a dynamic contrast to the vibrant, energetic summer collection. Known for its iconic prints and colours, Marimekko explored playful proportions and carefully balanced compositions in what the brand called a “performative expression of pattern.”

 

The SS26 collection draws deeply from the art of printmaking, with overlapping lines and layered textures forming ever-changing, human-made motifs. This visual rhythm was accompanied by a specially produced industrial soundscape, created from recordings at Marimekko’s textile printing factory in Helsinki and mixed by Finnish musician and artist YSI. The result was a multisensory experience that blurred the boundaries between fashion, art, and performance.

Creative Director Rebekka Bay described the collection as a transformation of familiar ideas into new, unexpected forms. 

“We re-formulate some of Marimekko’s most perennial styles and silhouettes and turn known ideas into something entirely new,” said Bay. “This is seen in a new version of the iconic Marimini dress from the 1960s — now reimagined as a playful summer co-ord set.”

The collection featured a vivid palette of pinks, greens, and summer blues — from peony and cherry blossom to hydrangea and spirulina — punctuated by accents of pistachio, peach, and zesty lemon. The garments created poetic interplay between femininity and pragmatism, mini and maxi, soft layering and utilitarian edge. Every look was paired with contrasting adidas Tokyo footwear, emphasizing the collection’s theme of unexpected harmony.

Central to the showcase was a celebration of the 70th anniversary of Marimekko’s most enduring design icon: the Jokapoika shirt, originally designed by Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi in 1956. Known for its genderless silhouette, distinctive silver buttons, and bold Piccolo stripe, the shirt was reintroduced with modern interpretations. Variations included cropped silhouettes, enlarged prints, multicolored designs, and utilitarian dresses — all while paying homage to the hand-painted origins of the Piccolo pattern, where overlapping brushstrokes create a unique third hue.

Founded in 1951, Marimekko remains globally recognized for its original prints and vibrant use of colour across fashion and home décor. With around 150 stores worldwide and an online presence in 35 countries, the brand continues to build on its legacy of artistic integrity and design innovation.

The SS26 show reaffirmed Marimekko’s place at the intersection of craft, culture, and contemporary style — celebrating its heritage while boldly pushing the boundaries of pattern and proportion.

All photos by James Cochrane, at Copenhagen Fashion Week SS26 edition.

Copenhagen Fashion Week: Marimekko's Spring Summer 2025 collection celebrates a Parade of Flowers

Finnish design house Marimekko's Spring Summer 2025 ready-to-wear show at Copenhagen Fashion Week explores The Anatomy of a Flower – a conceptual theme that is celebrated in Marimekko collections throughout 2025. 

To showcase its vibrant Spring Summer 2025 collection, Marimekko turned the Opera Park of Copenhagen into a parade ground of twisting paths, where guests sat in a field of wildflowers and enjoyed the dynamic collection as energetic techno beats by DJ Nene H played at the Copenhagen harbour.

It's a collection that presents an entire bouquet of abstract floral patterns from renowned Marimekko designers, such as Fujiwo Ishimoto, Maija Isola and Lotta Maija, featuring draped layers, petal-like details, and functional summer pieces from coordinated sets to breezy dresses. 

To celebrate a key characteristic of Marimekko, happy contradictions, feminine floral references meet with contradicting bold graphic prints in watered-down aqua blues, rosy reds and cool spearmints, accompanied by tiger lily oranges and delicate lilacs.

“Our fast-paced Spring/Summer 2025 runway show highlights the essence of the Marimekko dress as a non-restrictive garment to live in, even to run in. The collection showcases petal-like references in draping, layering as well as in material characteristics. We experiment with bold circle cuts, round shapes that will fold and unfold around the body as blooming flowers. As part of our dynamic runway show, we present the latest addition to the Marimekko Artist Series with our collaboration with London-based artist Petra Börner, whose artworks echo Marimekko’s design philosophy, bold aesthetic and optimism perfectly”, said Rebekka Bay, Creative Director at Marimekko.

The capsule collection showcasing four exclusive artworks by Börner (whose works have been translated into pieces of wearable art at Marimekko’s own textile printing factory in Helsinki)  features carefully curated dress canvases for Börner's beautiful floral universe, in which her unique way of using colours as a backdrop for her line drawings creates a vivid reflection of the lively nature of flowers and other subjects. 

Marimekko Artist Series, which invites emerging and celebrated artists to collaborate on exclusive Marimekko capsule collections, was introduced to push Marimekko’s art of printmaking into uncharted waters and give creatives a new canvas on which to present their work. The collection featuring Börner’s artworks extends across Marimekko’s entire lifestyle portfolio from ready-to-wear to home décor.

The Spring/Summer 2025 collection also saw the expansion of Marimekko’s highly anticipated denim line, Marimekko Maridenim. The collection features new patterned denim styles, including a denim jacket and shorts. The first Marimekko Maridenim collection launches in stores globally this August.

All images by James Cochrane, courtesy of Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Fashion Trade Fairs: MARIMEKKO showcases AW24 collection at Copenhagen Fashion Week, previewing its first denim range

While the recently launched UNIQLO X Marimekko New Year 2024 limited edition collection featuring the Finnish lifestyle brand's distinctive prints has been selling fast in UNIQLO stores, Marimekko showcased its Autumn/Winter 24 Ready-to-Wear collection during Copenhagen Fashion Week on February 1st 2024, at the National Gallery of Denmark.

Marimekko AW 2024's presentation at CFW marked the grand finale of the brand's 60th anniversary year of its most recognised floral print - Unikko, exploring the relationship between this celebrated pattern with monolithic architecture and materials that are often associated with a more utilitarian mood.

The collection highlights timeless silhouettes for everyday wear, featuring bold patterns, soft cashmere highlighted with architectural 3D applique detailing and shiny metallics. 

Colours range from brown and burgundy to cement greys, blush, soft pink, and accents of crispy yellow. 

Marimekko also utilised the occasion to reveal a new product category - Marimekko Maridenim – the brand’s first-ever denim collection which will be launched in August 2024.  The range of premium denim jeans comes in three fits: straight, wide, and barrel leg, and includes two full ensembles with the Unikko print.

According to the brand, which strives "to lead by example and move, step by step, the entire industry toward a more sustainable future," Marimekko Maridenim was designed by following The Jeans Redesign guidelines by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, based on the principles of a circular economy. The Jeans Redesign guidelines were developed with input from 80 experts across the industry, academia, and NGOs to encourage leading brands, mills, and manufacturers to transform the way jeans are designed and made so that they are worn more frequently, can be remade, and crafted from safe and recycled or renewable inputs.

The monomaterial cotton used (in 80% organic cotton and 20% recycled cotton) does not have any stretch, is free from stone washing or use of Potassium permanganate, and there is minimal use of  non-electroplated hardware, featuring removable buttons and no rivets.

All photos by James-Cochrane courtesy of Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Fashion: Marimekko Spring/Summer ’24 catwalk celebrates its iconic "Unikko" pattern at Copenhagen Fashion Week

One of the many well-known names showing during Copenhagen Fashion Week, which was held  August 7 to 10 2023, is the Finnish fashion and lifestyle brand, Marimekko, renowned for its distinctive and bold design aesthetic that fuses vibrant colors, bold patterns, and a sense of timeless simplicity. 

Marimekko's iconic prints and patterns are often inspired by nature, folk art, and the modernist design movement.  By fusing bold design, functionality, and cultural heritage,  Marimekko's gained a global following for its timeless style.

In presenting Marimekko's Spring/Summer ’24 collection, which was shown on the runway at Designmuseum Danmark in Copenhagen, the brand is also celebrating the 60th anniversary in 2024 of its most iconic floral print design "Unikko" that features large-scale, abstract poppy flowers, now an emblematic symbol of the brand.

Today the Unikko pattern and its bank of bold signature patterns and colours are found on a wide range of lifestyle products, including bags and accessories, home textiles, tableware, and even furniture.

True to its DNA, Marimekko's SS24 collection merges feminine minimalism with modern utilitarian workwear, both equally representative of the rich design heritage at Marimekko, characterized by clean lines, functional silhouettes, and the use of bold, eye-catching prints. The designs prioritize comfort and wearability while maintaining a sense of artistic expression. 

The brand's name, "Marimekko," translates to "Mary's Dress" in Finnish, reflecting its origin in textile and clothing design.  

Founded in 1951 by Armi Ratia and her husband Viljo Ratia, Marimekko quickly gained international recognition for its innovative approach to design, becoming a symbol of Finnish design excellence and creativity.

Today the brand trumpets its commitment to responsible sourcing of materials and ethical production methods, aligning with its values of quality, longevity, and respect for nature. 

Extending its influence beyond its native Finland, the brand has a global presence, with flagship stores in major cities and collaborations with various designers and brands. 

Copenhagen Fashion Week  is the go-to event for the latest trends in Scandinavian fashion, cutting-edge designs, with sustainability and ethical fashion as its central theme, and a unique platform for both established and emerging designers to present their collections to a global audience of fashion enthusiasts, industry professionals, buyers, and press.  

The twice-a-year event has gained international recognition for its strong emphasis on promoting environmentally conscious practices and responsible production within the fashion industry.  This focus aligns with the region's reputation for prioritizing eco-friendly and socially responsible approaches to design and manufacturing.

Photos from Copenhagen Fashion Week August 2023

Marimekko showcase timeless design philosophy at Copenhagen Fashion Week; a finalist for Zalando Sustainability Award

One of our favourite Finnish brands Marimekko known for its prints and colours showcases a seasonless, conceptual short film highlighting the brand's timeless design philosophy, original approach to printmaking and commitment to sustainability during this February's digital Copenhagen Fashion Week.  The film celebrates Marimekko's core and essence.  Against a plain canvas, Marimekko's prints from its 70-year heritage are projected onto various garment shapes that the brand has revisited to show archetype silhouettes thus championing the future, and the power of the individual to decide on their personal style.

As a finalist for the Zalando Sustainability Award organized for the very first time at Copenhagen Fashion Week, Marimekko explains its brand's philosophy.

"For 70 years, Marimekko's design philosophy and operations have been based on longevity and we believe that timeless and long-lasting design that brings joy for many years is also a sustainable choice. That said, we want to be at the forefront of continuously developing more sustainable products and practices for the entire value chain, from raw materials to product use and recycling. It is our duty, through the power of our example, to help move the entire industry forward towards a more sustainable future. This award is a great example of an initiative that can have vast positive implications for our whole field," says Rebekka Bay, Creative Director Marimekko.

To explore the Marimekko film, click HERE.

Marimekko celebrates iconic prints, bold patterns and simplistic form at Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Marimekko the Finnish label for fashion, home furnishings and textiles based in Helsinki, represents so much more than just about colour and bold motifs.  The name is often described to be about joy, a way of life and designed for the woman who is confident and wants clothes she can move in while expressing her personal style.  Marimekko's distinctive iconic print – the Unikko poppy print in red and white – has for decades boldly led the way for liberating our desire to express ourselves through simply-shaped dresses, button-up shirts, with coordinating separates and accessories, and also home products to feed that lifestyle.

Marimekko celebrate their 70th anniversary in 2021 and their fashion show at the Copenhagen Fashion Week this month championed all of those qualities that contribute to their enduring international success. 

The presentation, filmed in their in-house textile printing factory in Helsinki, features a selection of vintage gems and signature style, putting the spotlight on their core, the art of printmaking, while highlighting their rich and varied creative legacy bringing together some of their most iconic prints with forward-looking new designs. The presentation can be viewed on copenhagenfashionweek.com.

The company take what they describe as a “democratic approach for this presentation with an inclusive idea of the event that “feels so fresh” and connects to the brand DNA.

“Ultimately, Marimekko is about joy and timeless design, and our art of printmaking is a tool to represent that. We will have a very special digital presentation this year, portraying our roots and where we came from as a heritage brand, but also hint towards the future of Marimekko. We are excited to share our world and connect with new people!”

In June this year, Marimekko announced the appointment of Rebekka Bay, 50, as its new Creative Director and a member of the Management Group.  She will start on 1 September 2020 and has resigned her position as a member of the Board of Directors of Marimekko.

Bay brings with her a wealth of experience, from the position of Creative Director of Uniqlo Global Innovation Center in which she split her time between New York and Tokyo, and has previously worked as Head of Design and Product of Everlane in New York and San Francisco (2015–2017) as well as Creative Director EVP of Gap Global Design in New York (2012–2015), Creative Director of Bruuns Bazaar in Copenhagen (2011–2012) and Creative Director of COS in London (2006–2011). Bay was a member of Marimekko’s Board of Directors from April 2017 until June 2020.

According to the company's statement released in June 2020, Bay says, “I have always found ideas more intriguing than fashion, innovation and creativity more important than fast-paced trends. I believe that Marimekko, as a lifestyle brand and in expression, is as relevant today as it was 70 years ago. I am very much looking forward to joining Marimekko’s creative community and I am humbled and flattered by the invitation. I hope to foster creativity and attract talent, to drive innovation and quality, to further increase sustainable practices and to reinforce Marimekko’s position as a joyful, timeless and global lifestyle brand.” 

Turning 70 next year, Marimekko will showcase their first anniversary year collection – and the world awaits excitedly.