Marimekko: The Art of Printmaking, Laird Borrelli-Persson

Marimekko: The Art of Printmaking marks the 70th anniversary of the Finnish design house Marimekko with a joyful retrospective that celebrates its bold prints, graphic legacy, and colour-infused spirit. The volume charts the history from the first Marimekko fashion show in 1951, the rise of unmistakable patterns such as Unikko, the Unikko poppy design, through to Marimekko’s printing factory in Herttoniemi—showing not just finished textiles but the process: sketches, colour trials, archival advertisements and never-before-seen imagery.

More than a sourcebook, the book is organised into four sections that guide the reader from philosophy and lifestyle, through manufacturing, to an extensive pattern catalogue, and finally toward Marimekko’s future with sustainability and creative evolution. Over 370 photographs and illustrations bring to life over a hundred of Marimekko’s most iconic prints, their many colour-ways, and archival treasures. It’s a richly illustrated testament to how pattern, fabric and print can carry the identity of a brand while remaining vibrant, playful and ever-inspiring.

About the Author
Laird Borrelli-Persson is the Archive Editor at Vogue.com and a design writer whose work frequently explores pattern, surface design, and fashion history. With Marimekko: The Art of Printmaking, she brings together archival insight, curatorial flair and a design lover’s eye—offering both deep scholarship and visual pleasure.

Publication date: 2021
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Pages: 272
ISBN: 9780500023983