In celebration of its 75th anniversary, Finnish design house Marimekko launched a major two-year exhibition in Japan titled “Marimekko: Art of Printmaking Beauty, Dream, Love.”
The exhibition opened in Kyoto on 4 July 2026 and then began its tour through Tokyo, Hiroshima, Fukushima, Fukuoka, Toyama, Nagoya, and Nagasaki, where it will remain on view until June 2028. The tour is organized by TOEI Animation Co., Ltd. in collaboration with Hiroko Sakomura.
The exhibition draws its conceptual foundation from the words of Marimekko founder Armi Ratia, written in her diary in 1926: “There is only one responsibility – beauty. There is only one reality – dream. There is only one strength – love.”
Rather than a retrospective, the project is designed as an immersive experience that highlights Marimekko’s forward-looking approach to printmaking and its joyful, optimistic lifestyle universe an ethos that has defined the brand since its beginnings. As one of the world’s first lifestyle design houses, Marimekko has built a global identity around bold prints, artistic expression, and a philosophy centered on bringing joy to everyday life.
Since its founding in 1951, Marimekko has played a defining role globally through its pioneering approach to artistic printmaking and its philosophy of joyful, democratic design. Its boldly printed fabrics gave the brand a unique identity from the very beginning, establishing Marimekko as one of the world’s first lifestyle design houses. Over the decades, the company’s Helsinki printing factory has remained the heart of its creativity, producing thousands of original prints that have shaped modern design culture and influenced generations of designers worldwide.
A Three-Part Journey Through Marimekko’s Creative Legacy
Dresses as Living Canvases: A curated selection of around 70 dresses from the 1950s to today showcases Marimekko’s enduring belief in the dress as a medium for bold prints, imaginative silhouettes, and unexpected color combinations. This archive reflects decades of design that have shaped Marimekko’s unmistakable visual language.
A Dreamlike Exploration of Printmaking: An interactive digital projection and an installation by Japanese artist collective Plaplax invite visitors to explore the inherent beauty of Marimekko prints, their themes, signature characteristics, and the detailed processes behind iconic designs. The experience highlights the brand’s commitment to artistic printmaking, a cornerstone of its identity.
A New Dialogue with Akira Minagawa: The final chapter introduces a collaboration with Japanese textile artist Akira Minagawa, who interprets Marimekko’s design DNA through his own artistic practice. A new print designed by Minagawa specifically for the exhibition will be produced at Marimekko’s printing factory in Helsinki, underscoring the brand’s ongoing dedication to craftsmanship and creative exchange.
A Celebration of Printmaking for a Global Fashion Audience
Through its scale, immersive format, and cross-cultural collaborations, the exhibition reflects Marimekko’s continued influence in the global fashion landscape. The brand’s bold prints, timeless silhouettes, and optimistic design philosophy have long resonated with international audiences, and this two-year tour in Japan extends that legacy into a new chapter defined by beauty, dream, and love.
Photos: TOEI Company, Ltd.
