Armi Ratia forever transformed the world of design with her iconic brand: Marimekko. Born on July 13, 1912, in Pälkjärvi, Finland, Ratia would soon become one of Finland’s most famous female entrepreneurs with the creation of Marimekko in 1951. Ratia’s passion for design comes from her belief in the power of textiles to bring joy, color, and creativity into people’s lives, all while rejecting the prevalent fashion industry’s norms at the time. Ratia fostered a culture of experimentation and creativity, which lives on today through Marimekko's enduring success and influence in the design space. 

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.