Friday's Fabulous Woman: Armi Ratia

Given my love for Marimekko and the influence that their signature big, bold pattern has had on my design style, it's surprising that its taken me this long to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of Armi Ratia who founded Marimekko 60 years ago.  

With fabulous design and easy to wear fashion, Armi transformed a textile printing company into an internationally renowned design and fashion business.   It didn't hurt that Jackie O wore a few Marimekko dresses on the campaign trail.   For more on her life and work, this feature is worth a read as is this article on the Marimekko blog.

I am inspired by a quote attributed to Armi, a couple of years before Viljo and Armi Ratia's company Printex became Marimekko: "One has to dream. And one has to stand out from the rest". 

Images from the Marimekko blog