Sauna bathing is a beloved activity among many people living in the Nordic countries and an essential part of recreation, especially for the Finns. In 2020, UNESCO added Finnish sauna culture to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. IKEA and Marimekko will deep-dive into the self-care rituals of sauna and create a unique collection based on its essential elements.
“We are looking into our Nordic design heritage and a fundamental part of our well-being culture. By combining Marimekko’s long history of making iconic prints and IKEA’s home furnishing knowledge, we want to spread the elements of this culture to help improve and bring joy to the everyday life of the many people”, says Henrik Most, Creative Leader at IKEA of Sweden.
The collection will be full of happy contradictions between hot and cold, simple and bold, playful and calm. It will also mark the first time Marimekko has designed a set of prints exclusively for a collection with a partnering brand.
”IKEA and Marimekko share a strong Nordic heritage and a democratic approach to design, and both brands are committed to bringing joy to the everyday lives of people. We together chose sauna culture as a starting point for this collection not only because of Marimekko’s Finnish roots but also because it reflects several of the positive aspects of the Nordic lifestyle – a sauna is typically a space to relax, enjoy, and be completely yourself”, says Rebekka Bay, Creative Director of Marimekko.
The collection is planned to launch in March 2023 in IKEA stores worldwide. More details of the collection will be shared at a later stage.
Read more about the collaboration here.
About Marimekko
Marimekko is a Finnish lifestyle design company renowned for its original prints and colors. The company’s product portfolio includes high-quality clothing, bags and accessories as well as home décor items ranging from textiles to tableware. When Marimekko was founded in 1951, its unparalleled printed fabrics gave it a strong and unique identity. In 2021, the company's net sales were EUR 152 million and brand sales of the products worldwide amounted to EUR 376 million. Globally, there are roughly 150 Marimekko stores, and online store serves customers in 35 countries. The key markets are Northern Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and North America. The Group employs about 410 people. The company’s share is quoted on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. www.marimekko.com
About IKEA
IKEA offers well-designed, functional and affordable, high-quality home furnishing, produced with care for people and the environment. There are several companies with different owners, working under the IKEA Brand, all sharing the same vision: to create a better everyday life for the many people. IKEA was founded in Sweden in 1943.
About Inter IKEA Group
Inter IKEA Group includes Inter IKEA Systems B.V., IKEA of Sweden AB, IKEA Supply AG and IKEA Industry AB related businesses. Inter IKEA Holding B.V. is the holding company for the Inter IKEA Group.
