90 years of design – Artek celebrates with Marimekko
Another chapter in Artek’s 90th anniversary story is here. Do you recognize which iconic name it’s written with?
THE YEAR 2025 has been nothing short of a celebration for Artek, as the beloved Finnish brand celebrates its 90th anniversary. And as the months have passed, the festivities have only gathered more momentum.
Now comes the grand finale: a collaboration with none other than Marimekko, another true icon of Finnish design.
The minimalist design of Artek’s furniture is highlighted even more when paired with Marimekko’s bold patterns.
At first glance, the duo might seem like opposites: Artek is celebrated for its clean-lined minimalism, while Marimekko captivates with distinctive prints. Look closer, though, and you’ll find they share much more than meets the eye. Both brands have strong, instantly recognizable identities shaped by architecture, Finnish nature, and functionalism.
This collaboration brings together Artek’s mastery of wood-bending and Marimekko’s bold approach to textile printing and patterns, creating a collection unlike anything else.
As a co-founder of Artek, Alvar Aalto also created some of the brand’s most recognizable designs, classics that continue to live on today. Image: Alvar Aalto Museum
Many of Marimekko’s most iconic prints flowed from Maija Isola’s pen: Lokki, Seireeni, Kivet, and of course, Unikko. Image: AD Museum
The 90th-anniversary collection reimagines three of Alvar Aalto’s most beloved designs: the iconic three-legged stool 60, the birch-veneer bench 153B, and the round table 90D.
These timeless pieces are dressed in three iconic prints from Maija Isola’s Arkkitehti series for Marimekko: Lokki, Seireeni, and Kivet. Originally curated by Marimekko's founder, Armi Ratia, the prints are a tribute to nature's everyday beauty that inspired Isola throughout her career.
The idea for the Lokki pattern came to Maija Isola as she observed the play of sunlight and shadows dancing in the folds of a curtain.
The Kivet pattern, in turn, was inspired by the large, rugged stones that had been hand-cleared from the yard of Isola's home studio.
Isola traveled often. On one of her trips to Greece, she was inspired by the movement of water. This impression is now captured in the gentle folds of the Seireeni pattern.
The furniture is made from Finnish birch at Artek’s factory in Turku, Finland, and adorned using the intarsia technique that leaves nothing to waste. The result is a subtly glowing surface – what a perfectly Artek-esque way to mark the milestone!
Artek’s furniture is crafted at the factory in Turku, where it has been produced since the 1920s. Image: Alvar Aalto Museum
The stools and tables in the anniversary collection feature the L-leg, which was a groundbreaking innovation in its day and a major boost for the modern Scandinavian design language.
The furniture is finished using the intarsia technique, a process that produces no material waste.
As with all the best celebrations, these festivities won’t last forever. The Artek + Marimekko anniversary collection is available for a limited time only, so make sure to claim your favorite pieces before the party’s over!
The entire Artek + Marimekko collection in one family portrait. With these pieces, the celebration feels just right – happy birthday, Artek!
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Text: Susa Pääkkönen Images: Artek
Published on 4 Sep, 2025
