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ОглавлениеMAIJA ISOLA INFLUENTIAL TEXTILE DESIGNER
FULL NAME: Maija Isola
BORN: MARCH 15, 1927, RIIHIMÄKI, FINLAND
DIED: MARCH 3, 2001, FINLAND
NATIONALITY: FINNISH
FLOWER POWER
While you may not know the name Maija Isola, chances are you know her designs. Her simple, colorful poppy pattern is one of the most recognized prints on Earth! Maija was an artist who became one of the most influential designers in the world. Her work is very popular today. The Finnish textile company, Marimekko, was founded in 1951, selling bold fabric patterns and stylish clothing. Maija was one of the company’s first designers. With a background in painting and visual arts, she was able to create bright, colorful patterns, inspired by nature, folk art, and by her trips around the world. These patterns brought fame to Marimekko in the 1960s, when the company exploded onto the international scene. Marimekko was hugely popular in Europe, and it catapulted to U.S. success when First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy wore a Marimekko dress on a 1960 cover of Sports Illustrated.
DESIGN REBEL
During her 38 years at Marimekko, Maija created over 500 prints. Her most popular patterns include Lokki (seagull) and Luonto (nature)—created using real plants. But of stand-alone fame was her poppy print, Unikko, nicknamed the “rebel flower.” Maija created Unikko in 1964 in protest, after Marimekko’s founder banned floral patterns. Maija refused to be told what to draw, so she responded by creating several floral prints. Unikko quickly became Marimekko’s most popular design and is still in production today—over 50 years later.
Maija’s daughter, Kristina, also became a textile artist at Marimekko. From 1987 until her death, in 2001, Maija focused on painting rather than textiles. She left behind an incredible design legacy. While Maija’s designs never faded from popularity, they have seen a resurgence in the 2000s. Her patterns perfectly capture a mid-20th-century style, and they are also characteristically Scandinavian. Maija made a great impact on modern design globally, and she remains an international icon.