Artek Celebrates 90 Years with Marimekko

A story of wood meets a story of pattern. To celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2025, Artek has partnered with Marimekko on a one-of-a-kind collection where Alvar Aalto’s classic furniture is reimagined with Maija Isola’s iconic designs.

At first, Artek's clean-lined minimalism and Marimekko's bold, graphic prints might seem like opposites. However, both brands share a deep connection to Finnish nature, functionalism, and a strong, recognizable design identity. This collaboration brings together Artek’s renowned wood-bending expertise and Marimekko’s bold approach to textile patterns, creating a collection that is both a fusion and a celebration of their unique legacies.

The vision of co-founder Alvar Aalto shaped Artek from its beginnings. His iconic furniture and timeless designs are still celebrated today as true classics. Picture: Alvar Aalto Museum

Maija Isola, a key figure in Marimekko's history, is the creative force behind some of its most iconic designs, including Lokki, Seireeni, Kivet, and Unikko. Picture: AD Museum

The Artek x Marimekko anniversary collection features three of Alvar Aalto's most beloved designs: the Stool 60, the Bench 153B, and the Table 90D. These timeless pieces are adorned with three iconic prints from Maija Isola’s Arkkitehti (Finnish for "architect") series: Lokki, Seireeni, and Kivet. These patterns, originally curated by Marimekko founder Armi Ratia, pay tribute to the everyday beauty of nature that inspired Isola throughout her career.

Each piece is crafted in Turku, Finland, from Finnish birch veneer using a special zero-waste intarsia technique. The alternating grain of the wood creates a subtle, shifting pattern that changes with the light, a fittingly understated tribute to Artek's milestone.

Artek’s furniture is crafted at the factory in Turku, where it has been produced since the 1920s. Image: Alvar Aalto Museum

The collection's stools and tables feature the iconic L-leg, a groundbreaking innovation that shaped modern Scandinavian design.

This special collaboration is only available for a limited time, so be sure to secure your favorite pieces before the celebration ends.

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Footnotes: 
Text and Images: Artek