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Unikko fabric, red
Description
Marimekko’s Unikko fabric features the iconic floral pattern by Maija Isola in classic shades of red. The fabric is made of heavyweight cotton and printed in Finland.
The Unikko pattern came about in 1964 after Armi Ratia, the founder of Marimekko, had announced in public that no floral fabrics are designed at Marimekko. Maija Isola did not accept rules or restrictions and designed in protest a complete collection of bold floral patterns: Unikko, a Finnish word that means poppy. Today, Unikko is one of Marimekko's best-known patterns and recognized around the world.
- Width: 58.27 in (148 cm)
- Measurement details: Width +/-3%
- Repeat: 39.37 in (100 cm)
- Material 100% heavyweight cotton
- Colour Red
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Notes
This fabric is sold by the meter and comes in one continuous length. Add the number of meters required into the Quantity box.
Please note that the maximum continuous length is 15 meters.
Items cut to order cannot be returned. - Care instructions Machine wash in 60 °C
- Product ID: MA009043-001
Textile designer and artist Maija Isola (1927–2001) is arguably Marimekko's best-known pattern designer and one of the international trailblazers of Finnish textile design. Having designed over 500 prints, Isola created timeless classics with her bold use of color and large-scale patterns, the most famous being Unikko, launched in 1964.
Isola's work brings together artistic freedom, international influences and vibrant, daring patterns.
Maija Isola – bold reformer of Finnish textile design
Maija Isola is one of the most central names in Finnish textile art. She drew her first prints for Marimekko's predecessor, Printex Oy, in 1949 and served as Marimekko's chief designer of fabrics until 1987.
Isola was an exceptionally prolific and versatile designer: her print production comprises over 500 designs. Her work spanned everything from powerful floral patterns and abstract compositions to ornamental and folk-art-inspired motifs.
The rebellious Unikko
Maija Isola's best-known print is Unikko. Unikko was launched in 1964, despite the fact that Marimekko's founder Armi Ratia had expressly forbidden the design of floral prints. Isola paid no heed to the ban, however, and designed a series of magnificent floral prints, the beloved Unikko among them. Today Unikko is undoubtedly more popular than ever, and a vast array of Unikko-themed products and colourways is available.
In the 1960s, Marimekko's prints also gained international attention, and Isola's bold use of color and large-scale patterns defined a new direction for Finnish textile design.
A cosmopolitan artist
Maija Isola drew inspiration for her fabric designs from traditional folk art as well as modern visual art, nature and her travels around the world. She lived and worked for long stretches in France and Africa, among other places, which was reflected in the rhythm and color palette of her prints. Alongside textile design, Isola also worked as a visual artist.
In the 1980s, Isola began designing fabrics in collaboration with her daughter Kristina Isola. Together they created fresh floral prints, bold abstract patterns and ornamental designs that became Marimekko classics. After Maija Isola's death in 2001, Kristina Isola continued her mother's work by designing new colourways for Maija Isola's prints.
Who: Maija Isola
- Finnish textile artist and pattern designer (1927–2001).
- Worked as Marimekko's chief designer from 1949 to 1987.
- Designed over 500 printed patterns.
- A key figure in the international breakthrough of Finnish textile design.
- Notable works: Unikko (1964), Kaivo (1965), Melooni (1963), Lokki (1961), Kivet (1956), Mansikkavuoret (1969).
Read more in Design Stories
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Based on 3 reviews
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A
Anna S | Verified Customer
""
Beautiful design and perfect quality. I cannot wait to see a final result upholstering two armchairs with this fantastic fabric.
2 years ago
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F
Florence K | Verified Customer
""
Arrived quickly, beautiful fabric.
2 years ago
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K
Kirsti L | Verified Customer
Rauma, FI
Kangas oli juuri sitä mitä pitikin ja hyvin pakattu.
10 months ago
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