Marimekko may have started as a small Finnish design house, but it’s now no stranger to the global stage. In recent years, the brand has took part in high-profile collaborations to introduce its joyful prints and eclectic designs to wider audiences. These partnerships don’t just boost visibility, they also prove that Marimekko’s aesthetic is both timeless and adaptable.
Marimekko x UNIQLO
One of the most well-known and widely successful of Marimekko’s collaborations is its ongoing partnership with Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo. First launched in 2018, the Uniqlo x Marimekko collection brought together Uniqlo’s functional, minimalist silhouettes with Marimekko’s iconic prints, including Unikko (Poppy), Siirtolapuutarha, Kivet and more.
The initial launch featured a limited-edition collection of women’s apparel, including airy dresses, tunics, and wide-leg pants adorned with Marimekko’s iconic prints. Because it did so well in blending Finnish boldness with Japanese simplicity, the response was overwhelming and lead to repeated collaborations that often sold out within days. Up until today, their most recent collaboration was the limited-edition Fall/Winter 2024 line, where cozy pieces, playful prints, and a moody color palette celebrated the fall season. This was the third installment of the limited-edition UNIQLO x Marimekko collaboration collections in 2024 alone, so we expect to see many more partnerships for these two brands in the future.
Marimekko x Adidas
Another successful collaboration came in 2021, when Marimekko teamed up with Adidas to create a line of performance wear that didn’t sacrifice style for function. Featuring bold prints by renowned Marimekko designers, including Maija Isola, Maija Louekari and more, the capsule collection included leggings, sports bras, track pants and windbreakers crafted with Adidas’s high-performance materials.
The collection launched globally and was praised for empowering women to express themselves not just through athletic performance but also through fashion. The collaboration returned with additional drops, incorporating sustainable materials and expanding into footwear and accessories.
Marimekko’s creative director, Rebekka Bay, claimed “Since Marimekko’s beginnings 70 years ago, our philosophy has been to empower people to be happy as they are through our colorful art of printmaking. Marimekko’s bold prints fit adidas’ innovative and boundary-pushing sports apparel perfectly – this functional yet playful collection aims to spark the joy of exploration in everyday lives.”
Marimekko x IKEA
In the realm of home and lifestyle, Marimekko x IKEA has been a match made in Scandinavian heaven. Announced in 2023 and launched in 2024, the BASTUA collection drew inspiration from the Nordic sauna culture and the rituals of relaxation. The collection features four exclusive prints by renowned designers Maija Louekari and Sami Ruotsalainen. Raparperi (rhubarb), Höyrykukka (steam flower), and Pötkö (bar stripe) were designed by Maija, and Puuleikkaus (woodcarving) by Sami.
The 26-piece collection featured home goods such as trays, textiles, and even furniture — all adorned with vibrant Marimekko prints designed exclusively for the collection. The motifs were inspired by nature, water, and the tranquility of spa culture. The result was a range of items that were not only functional but brought a sense of joy and well-being into everyday routines. True to IKEA's mission of democratic design, the Marimekko collaboration offered consumers a chance to own limited-edition pieces that captured the essence of Finnish lifestyle design without the designer price tag.
Marimekko x Clinique:
Marimekko dove into the beauty world with Clinique for a whimsical, limited-edition makeup collection that transformed skincare and cosmetic packaging into art. The 2018 collaboration saw Clinique’s cult-favorite products, like their Pop Lip Colour lipsticks and makeup bags, covered in archival Marimekko prints.
This collab allowed Marimekko’s design legacy to reach a new demographic while reinforcing the idea that beauty is a multi-sensory experience; where visual delight can elevate the everyday act of applying makeup.
Marimekko’s collaborations are not just exercises in co-branding, they are carefully curated partnerships that bring artful living into new contexts. Each collaboration celebrates the brand’s core values of joy, boldness, and inclusivity, whether it’s through an Uniqlo puffer jacket, an Adidas tracksuit, or an IKEA bathrobe.
These partnerships have helped Marimekko remain relevant in a rapidly changing fashion and lifestyle landscape. By connecting with globally recognized brands across different markets, Marimekko continues to prove that when timeless design is fused with smart collaboration, it never goes out of style.
As we look to the future, it is certain that Marimekko’s creative collaborations will continue to break boundaries with their bold patterns and art of printmaking.
