Akira Minagawa is a famous Japanese textile designer and illustrator, best known as the founder of the minä perhonen design company. With a focus on textile design based primarily on hand-drawn patterns, Minagawa engages in garment making, furniture and tableware designs, and spatial direction of stores and accommodations. In addition to his own brand, Minagawa has now also designed beloved textiles for Lapuan Kankurit and more. Of his designs, he states, "I create with the feeling that I am bringing the fantasies in my mind out of my hands and into the real world.”

Finnish design has a long history and is know for simplicity, functionality, and craftsmanship. It's trademark designs emerged in the early 20th century, and gained international attention through pioneers like Alvar Aalto in architecture and furniture, as well as companies such as Iittala, Artek, and Marimekko. Their work emphasized clean lines, natural materials, and a harmonious balance between beauty and practicality. Everything must have a purpose. Iconic products like the Aalto vase, Artek’s Stool 60, and Marimekko’s bold textile patterns established Finland as a leader in modernist design. Over the next century, Finnish design became synonymous with high quality, technical skill, and timeless aesthetics—qualities that have earned it global recognition, particularly during the postwar years when Nordic design was celebrated worldwide, and still is. Today, Finnish products continue to enjoy international respect, not only for their aesthetic value but also for their reputation of reliability, thoughtful construction, and cultural authenticity.