Design collaboration of Marimekko with Finnair
On October 27, 2012 the Finnish Airline Finnair and the design house Marimekko decided to team up in order to enhance travel experience with a new design partnership
As of spring 2013 all Finnair aircraft will feature a Marimekko for Finnair collection of textiles and tableware, featuring Marimekko’s classic patterns. The collection is specially designed to add a light and fresh visual and tactile dimension to the onboard experience, while lightening the airline’s carbon footprint as well.
Two of Finnair’’s long distance aircraft will also wear livery based on Marimekko designs. An Airbus A340 will feature Maija Isola’s iconic Unikko floral print from 1964 and is already operating between Helsinki and Finnai8r’s Asian destination, and it will be followed by another aircraft in marimekko livery in Spring 2013.
Marimekko CEO. Mika Ihamuotila stated: We hope that Marimekko’s Unikko poppy flowers flying up in the sky as well as our other iconic prints as a part of the in-flight experience bring joy to people around the world. Lately, wie have wanted to connect Marimekko’s colourful design and fashion with supprising parties and forms of ar, such as ballet, modern dance or visual arts. Now it is time to do something unforeseen up in the sky. I believe that the Marimekko and Finnair design collaboration will bring to hectic and often grey air travel joy, peace of mind and beautiful memories.
During the three year collaboration, an exclusive selection of Marimekko design products will be available to Finnair customers in in-flight-sales and the Finnair Plus Shop. Besides adding value to the customer experience, both companies look forward to the collaboration helping build more awareness of their brands. Both firms have a long established presence in Japan but are growing rapidly in other Asian markets and China in particular.
Marimekko (founded in 1951 and became famous for its printed fabrics, today it employs around 500 people) is a Finnish textile and clothing design company and appreciated for its original prints and colours. The company designs and manufactures high-quality household goods ranging from interior decoration textiles to table wear as well as clothing, bags and other accessories. In 2011 sales of its brand amounted to EUR 170 million and net sales to EUR 77 million generated by 90 Marimekko stores and sales points in around 40 countries. Key markets are North America, Northern Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
Finnair is a specialised airline with fast connections between Europe and Asia via Helsinki. The airline carries more than eight million passengers annually and connects 11 cities in Asia with more than 50 destinations in Europe. It is a pioneer in sustainable flying, operates a young, modern fleet and is the first airline ever to rank in the worldwide Carbon Disclosure Project’s Leadership Index.