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After World War II there was a strong Finnish design movement that developed and was given greater weight by the International Triennials in 1951 and 1954 as they defined the concept of 'Finnish design'. Through the integration of design into the manufacturing, Marimekko's textiles gained attention throughout the world by identifying an exclusive market response the aesthetic that was very strong in Finnish design.

Armi and Vilji Ratia were the founders of Marimekko way back in 1951. Since that time, the corporation has become famous for manufacturing superior fabrics both for covering furniture (möbler) and for use in making apparel. The true beginning of the Finnish firm, however, dates back to 1949, when it acquired the Printex-Oy plant located just outside Helsinki. Once it was renovated to suit the company's purposes, it brought back the method of manually silk-screening on cotton sheeting.

The technique, which was recognized by resulting irregularities and repeat lines, evoked a human feel to each design. Although production techniques were mechanized long ago, the company maintains hand-crafted quality in its printing. Its use of decorative designs and natural fibers strengthened its commitment to the Scandinavian affinity to nature.

Under the design leadership of Armi, the company pulled away from traditional Finnish textile designers and began to use a variety of nonfigurative patterns, utilizing abstract graphic designs of their artist colleagues. The original assemblage of simply cut dresses, put out in 1951 in Helsinki began as a promotional conveyance for their printed cotton fabrics.

Wraparound and front buttoning articles of clothing were incorporated, bringing focus to the fabric instead of the styling of the garments. This collection was known as Marimekko, a combination of the old Finnish girl's name of Maria along with the term mekko, which is a tow shirt, open in the back and worn like a pinafore or apron. Since that time, "Maria's little dress" has grown to encompass items from home furnishing textiles to paper products, ceramics, rugs, wall coverings and even furniture (möbler).

By the end of the 20th century, Marimekko had engineered a major comeback in the U.S., with fabric and interior design (inredning) (for both indoor and outdoor use), wall coverings, bed linens, rugs and much more available to American buyers through a series of licenses. Though not as well known in America as many other textiles firms, Marimekko's bold, simple, classic print designs and characteristic use of color have established a permanently recognizable and highly individualistic identity that remains to this day.