MARIMEKKO: WRAP UP

The favorite quote that I read about Marimekko came from The Guardian blog. "One has to dream. And one must stand out from the rest, was what textile artist Armi Ratia, who founded Marimekko in 1951, famously said at the start of her career. And stand out she did. At a time when the rest of Europe was languishing in the aftermath of the second world war, Ratia injected some much-needed playful, fresh quirkyness back on to the wilting fashion scene."

The world has since gone wild for Marimekko, and it's obvious why. The patterns stand the test of time, and the brand continues to reinvent itself with fresh collaborations and bright patterns. Thank you for accompanying me on this Marimekko journey, joining me for a week of bold prints and even bolder lifestyle. Hope you enjoyed the trip!

MARIMEKKO: FAVORITES

I'm so glad I finally made it to the new Marimekko store in Beverly Hills. I was curious to see how the design of the store might differ from the shops I saw in Helsinki. The Beverly Hills store is a big and open space with lots of products. There are different sections for home products, bedding, kids stuff and women and men's fashion. It’s worth stopping by to see all the beautiful printed textiles on the rolls and see how the designers apply these prints for different uses. You can notice how the scale of the pattern shifts for use on a pillow vs. a dress vs. a shower curtain or a coffee mug. It’s really inspiring to see all these beautiful prints housed together in one place and step into their colorful world.

MARIMEKKO: SEW CENTER

The Marimekko store has an in-store sew center! Although I did not witness the sewing first hand, I do appreciate a store (in Beverly Hills, no less) that puts making at the forefront of their shopping experience. 

According to my friend and fellow blogger Jeanetta (who inspired me to visit Marimekko in the first place with her colorful blog post): "The fabric display is definitely the centerpiece of the store and very easy to access. Let’s say you don’t sew but would love a cushion or tablecloth made – no problem. Pick out your fabric and hand it over to Caroline – she sews on-site! How fabulous is that? You can find her workstation in the far left corner to consult with her on your project." The sewing room is definitely the heart of the boutique, literally and figuratively. 

MARIMEKKO: FASHION

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MARIMEKKO: BACK TO SCHOOL

Perhaps my favorite table in the Beverly Hills Marimekko store was the Back-to-School display. I am a total sucker for notebooks, calendars, iPhone cases and tote bags. Though my back to school days are long behind me, it's never too late to keep a few inspiring desktop accessories around the office.