IKEA and Marimekko drawing on Nordic traditions to inspire a sauna moment
What brings two iconic Nordic brands together, and what will they, in turn, bring to the many? We asked Rebekka at Marimekko, and Henrik at IKEA, and found the answers somewhere between Nordic design heritage, creating a better everyday, and a Finnish sauna.
Nordic design is often appreciated for being practical and simple, with materials that call to mind the nature covering much of the region’s sparsely populated lands. But there’s also joy and playfulness in the Nordic design tradition. Not least where Finnish design house Marimekko is concerned.
Known for bold original prints and colours, Marimekko designs have made everything from runway shows and streetwear to pops of colour in the home. For an upcoming collection, Marimekko and IKEA join forces to create objects that inspire moments of joy and relaxation in everyday life.
“Marimekko and IKEA have always been concerned with bringing beauty and design to accessible objects – and addressing people’s wellbeing through them”, says Rebekka Bay, Creative Director at Marimekko. “With this collaboration, we’re doing exactly that.”
Where IKEA brings a diverse portfolio and home furnishing expertise, Marimekko brings a deep knowledge in the art of printmaking dating back to its foundation in 1951. Knowledge used to develop brand new, unique prints seen for the first time in this collection.
“In design, I always try to strive for this balance of two known and one unknown. Here, the two known are the brands, and the unknown would be the new prints”, says Rebekka.
In design, I always try to strive for this balance of two known and one unknown.
Both Rebekka and Henrik Most, Range & Design Leader at IKEA, agree that the two brands have much in common – not least with their respective rich history.
“There’s a very clear architectural, timeless quality to Marimekko’s designs. It goes beyond fashion and trends – it’s connected to a way of living. It once broke with the formula of what women should look like, which made them a big part of the women’s liberation movement in the 60s”, says Henrik.
“We have great respect for their experience and knowledge on print and patterns, and we share a lot of the same roots. In curiosity, in adapting to the new, and in always trying to make things that people can live with for a long time”.
Drawing from a common heritage
Naturally, the Nordic heritage also made for strong common ground in the collaboration. It eventually led to one main point of inspiration: a Finnish sauna.
“Sweden and Finland both have strong storytelling in the design tradition, and both Marimekko and IKEA have a strong Nordic value base in our design approach”, says Rebekka. “For this collaboration, we really wanted to understand our Nordic commonalities, but especially Finnish sauna culture and how important the sauna is for mental and physical wellbeing in Finland.”
There’s a very clear architectural, timeless quality to Marimekko’s designs.
