Zeling Qian discovers that Marimekko mugs bring joy with bold, timeless designs, celebrating individuality and sustainability through their iconic Unikko patterns.
Marimekko was born in a time of reconstruction, when Finland was severely affected by World War II, a dark time in history, and founder Armi Ratia’s mission was to design bold, graphically dynamic and expressive prints that broke with tradition and expressed optimistic values in bold colours and prints. As she explained, “I only want to bring people together so they can get to know each other and gain something from one another.” This mission is still the cornerstone of Marimekko’s ethos today and influences the design of every Marimekko product, especially the classic Unikko mug series.
In 1964, when designer Maija Isola showed Marimekko’s director the oversized poppy pattern she had designed, it was a watershed moment in that era, as she had explicitly disobeyed Marimekko founder Armi’s request — to use any pattern, just not flowers. “Blooming flowers are only beautiful in nature and die as soon as they fall on the printed page, so Marimekko will never use floral motifs.” Said Armi in 1964.
However, Maija was a maverick woman for whom freedom came above all else. Her insistence on her own design solutions not only gave new life to the designs but also brought a new aesthetic perspective to Marimekko’s mugs.
Maija’s Unikko pattern is presented in a flat abstract design and bold colours. Unikko is entirely hand-painted by her. Looking closely at the pattern, it’s as if you can feel the movement of the brush and the direction of the strokes. The rounded petals are painted freehand, with more angularity at the overlapping strokes. Huge, full red and pink petals are spread across the white backing, while dark blue stems and leaves with pistils add rhythm to the overall colour palette.
She created an entire collection of Unikko patterns, which became the signature motif of Marimekko mugs and brought a little vitality to Finnish society in the shadow of wartime. Her designs have accompanied the Marimekko brand for nearly 60 years, and she created more than 500 patterns for Marimekko mugs from 1949 to 1987.
When people are surrounded by aesthetics that is dominated by minimalist styles like Muji, perhaps our tastes are influenced by the idea that the mugs around us should be styled in this way. Yijun Lin, a Marimekko enthusiast, shared how the discovery of a red Unikko mug completely shifted her perspective on design:
“There was a time when I also thought that the minimalist aesthetic prevalent in Japan was the ultimate form of design and the highest level of aesthetics, which led to the fact that everything around me, such as clothes, ornaments, backpacks, mugs, was almost devoid of bright colours and any obvious patterns.”
“It was only by chance that I came across a Marimekko mug in red with a Unikko pattern, and the bold print made me realise that this was the way my life should be,” says Lin.
She added: “Since then, I strongly believe that I don’t have to be bound by defined styles or genres, but rather I can go with my first feeling. I can like minimalist or colourful mugs. It’s these intuitive choices that have shaped me into the individual I am now.”
One of the reasons for Marimekko mugs enduring appeal is its innate focus on sustainability. “Marimekko has nothing to do with fashion trends. We make timeless and long-lasting products that are often very fashionable,” Armi once said.
Drawing on historical inspiration and fusing it with new ideas, the designers and guest artists do not create for the sake of a particular kind of popularity. Instead, they seek to capture the spirit of Marimekko mugs, a spirit that has endured through the years, remains current, and is instantly recognisable across generations.
Insights shared by Marimekko Creative Director Rebekka Bay are nothing new, but they are being given fresh momentum from how the Marimekko Marimade eco-sustainable mug collection uses recycled materials, thus resonating with the beauty of life.
She told Elle magazine: “We believe that good design makes people’s lives better, which brings us to the idea of sustainability, because not only do we have a responsibility to make people’s lives better and to bring joy to their daily lives, but at the same time we are also responsible for the future.”
“Sustainability does not only exist in our mugs collection, but there are also many different ways and means to be sustainable, and of course at Marimekko sustainability is part of the brand’s DNA. We are always trying to design products that are long-lasting and have a timeless quality, and at the same time utilising organic and recycled materials as much as possible, which is what makes the Marimekko mugs unique! A testament to the value of a product that transcends generations.”
Hekmat Hasan, a Bulgarian-Syrian filmmaker and journalist with a keen interest in global politics, culture, and sustainability, offers a thought-provoking perspective, especially when it comes to the role of Marimekko mug design in sustainability.
“Anti-fashion is really a form of identity politics,” Hasan said. “The business world needs consumption to drive the economy, but as society and culture evolve, we need to think about what good consumption, positive fashion, and sustainable mugs are.” Far from embracing the fast-paced cycles of fast fashion, Marimekko mugs has always focused on creating an optimistic lifestyle, driven by timeless prints and durable materials. Mugs are the living embodiment of joyful living due to their timeless appeal, and each mug is crafted with care and durability to last for generations.
He added: “What we need to do is to pass on fashion instead of repeatedly wasting and discarding, overusing and overconsuming. This is not only a Finnish national tradition but also a new way of thinking about how we treat the planet and fashion.”
Inclusivity and equality have always been at the heart of Marimekko. Be true to yourself and express your creativity. This is founder Armi’s dream for her customers and the message Marimekko mugs want to convey. In the meantime, it’s also resonating within the design team, as Marimekko mugs have always been committed to helping consumers create a happy, sustainable lifestyle with every sip, regardless of gender, age or identity.