A strong Finnish design movement emerged after WW2 and received decisive impetus by the International Triennials in 1951 and 1954, which defined the idea of a "Finnish design". By formally incorporating design into manufacturing, textiles that came from Marimeko got international attention via their identification of an exclusive market that was responding to strong Finnish design aesthetics.

Marimekko started in Finland in 1949 after buying Printex Oy, which was an oilcloth factory outside of Helsinki. Armi and Viljo Ratia started the company which has become known for producing the highest quality textiles for clothing and home furnishing. They brought back the old technique of silk-screen printing by hand on cotton.

The procedure, which was known by non-uniform results and repeating lines, elicit a human feel to every design. Though production techniques were mechanized years ago, Marimekko maintains its value in handcrafted printing. Its attractive designs and natural fibers further upheld its commitment to the Scandinavian empathy for nature.

Under Armi's design direction, the company broke ranks with traditional Finnish textile designers, implementing an array of non-figurative patterns, using the abstract graphic designs of artistic colleagues. The first collection of simply cut dresses was brought out in Helsinki in 1951 and originated as a promotional strategy for the firm's printed cotton fabrics (marimekko tyg).

Simple wrap dresses and plain styles that buttoned down the body were included, focusing squarely on the cloth instead of on the apparel's designs. This line was dubbed Marimekko (or Mary's little pinafore dress). Since that time, the company has licensed various foreign firms from 1968 on in order to extend its merchandise to encompass tablecloths and dinner napkins, bed linens, serving ware, dinnerware, glassware, furniture (möbler) and other home furnishings, area rugs, and wallpaper.

Near the end of the 20th century, Marimekko had made a big splash in the United States, with fabric and interior design (inredning) for indoor and outdoor use, wall coverings, bedding and many more products for American purchasers via a series of licenses. While not as popular as some other textile companies in America, Marrimekko’s daring yet basic print designs and distinctive use of color have made these designs well known and highly identifiable , even now.

A strong Finnish interior design (heminredning) movement emerged after World War II and was given decisive impetus by the International Triennials of 1951 and 1954 which defined the concept of "Finnish design". By formally integrating design into manufacturing, textiles from Marimekko acquired international attention through their identification of an exclusive market responsive to the strong Finnish design aesthetic. Wraparound and front-buttoned garments were included, accentuating the textiles rather than the styling of the garments. Since then the company expanded into home furnishing textiles, with overseas licensing agreements (initiated in 1968) for wall coverings, bedding, decorative fabrics, paper products, table linens, kitchenware, furniture, ceramics, glassware, and rugs.