Marimekko and Uniqlo, the Japanese global apparel retailer, announced their partnership on a special edition collaboration collection which will be available for a limited time only. The new collection for women will comprise a complete line of items that brighten lifestyles by combining the timelessly bold and vibrant print designs of Marimekko with the quality and comfort of Uniqlo’s casual street style. .
It’s a balance both labels emphasised as they presented the collection, on which they worked in unison for the last five years. The partnership was initiated by Yukihiro Katsuta, Vice-President of Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing and Director of Research and Design for the Japanese brand. According to Yukihiro Katsuta and Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko, CEO of Marimekko, the collection, available only at Uniqlo stores and on the retailer's website, is not aimed at a specific target. Both labels claim they share a similar approach to fashion, expressed by timeless, quality clothes which last, and put a premium on comfort, and both labels also overlap in terms of clientele.
To create the collection, Marimekko designers suggested dozens of motifs to the Uniqlo creative team. The latter eventually chose six of them, of which five come from Marimekko's archives and one, 'Kukkia rakkalle', was created by young designer Maija Louekari. All of them were designed using the printing techniques of Marimekko's Helsinki factory for inspiration. The intention of Uniqlo and Marimekko was to "allow everyone to express their own style, cheerfully and boldly." And while nothing has been decided yet, Uniqlo is accustomed to serial partnerships.
