Kuala Lumpur, 20 December 2023 – Global apparel retailer UNIQLO today announces the upcoming launch of the “UNIQLO x Marimekko” limited-edition collaboration collection. This line is a fusion with the Finnish design house Marimekko, renowned for its expertise in printmaking. The collection showcases UNIQLO’s signature winter items such as soft fleece and functional HEATTECH, adorned with Marimekko’s world-renowned prints inspired by Nordic nature and wildlife. The collection is perfect to share with loved ones, offering both warmth and style for an active winter season.
Four Iconic Marimekko Prints
This collection features a total of four distinctive prints, the Kivet, Kissapöllö, and Seireeni patterns created by prominent Marimekko designer Maija Isola, and the Hattara pattern by Pentti Rinta. Inspired by Nordic nature, including elements like stones, owls, and clouds floating in the sky, each pattern employs elegant colors such as pearl grey, muted gold, and timeless black to express serene winter landscapes and evoke a cozy feeling.
Functional and Cozy Winter Essentials
The collection offers essential winter items suitable for both adults and children. The relaxed silhouette fleece full-zip jacket and fleece skirt are crafted with warm materials that wrap around the body. The HEATTECH turtleneck T-shirt ensures comfort with its delicate napped inner, ideal to use as innerwear or as a layering piece. Completing the look, the HEATTECH socks and classic round mini shoulder bag serve as perfect accessories, adding a touch of winter fashion fun to the look.
2024 New Year’s Collection
Launch date: January 1, 2024
Store availability: Full lineup available online and at Fahrenheit 88, Mid Valley Megamall, Sunway Pyramid, Queensbay Mall, IOI City Mall, Mid Valley Southkey, DA Square and One Utama UNIQLO stores in Malaysia Special website: https://www.uniqlo.com/my/en/contents/collaboration/uniqloxmarimekko/23fw/
Maija Isola
Majia Isola’s (1927–2001) career as a print designer for Marimekko began in 1949 and lasted 38 years. During that time, she designed more than 500 patterns for Marimekko. Maija Isola laid the foundation for Marimekko as a print house. She lived an unconventional life for her time, painting what she encountered when traveling across Europe, North Africa, and America. On these trips, many of her patterns and colors were born.
Pentti Rinta
Pentti Rinta worked at Marimekko between 1969 and 1987 as a fashion designer. During his time with the company, he also designed bold and colorful prints for Marimekko. In the 1970s, Pentti’s Marimekko designs appeared on the pages of esteemed international fashion magazines around the world. In 1972, he designed Kuski (driver), a popular corduroy men’s suit that became an instant classic. Some of Pentti’s most recognizable prints for Marimekko include Kirjo (spectrum) and Haamuruutu (phantom square).
Print Stories
Kivet (stones)
Maija Isola’s Kivet (stones) design builds on circles cut with scissors. The pattern was most likely inspired by the big rough-edged stones that were manually cleared from the designer’s atelier home’s grounds. It has since become one of Marimekko’s most recognizable and loved patterns.
Kissapöllö (tawny owl)
In 1961, Maija Isola spent many evenings and nights working in Marimekko’s textile printing factory – painting in gentle, sweeping brushstrokes while listening to music. Meter upon meter of new designs emerged, among them Kissapöllö (tawny owl), a pattern of stylized natural forms.
Seireeni (siren)
While traveling in Greece in the early 1960s, Maija Isola got inspired by the movement of water and depicted it in several fabric prints, including Seireeni (siren) from 1964. Named after the mythological sirens, the pattern also recalls the enchanting singing that lured sailors into dangerous waters.
Hattara (wisp)
The charming small clouds in Pentti Rinta’s naivistic Hattara (wisp) pattern put a smile on your face and offer a throwback to the sweetest summer memories.
