For the first time in Thailand, Finnish brand Marimekko has a flagship store. It opened in the Atrium Zone on the first floor of CentralWorld with a grand launch celebration that was attended by well-heeled fashionistas and celebrities who are dedicated fans of Marimekko.
Guests of honour at the opening event were the Finnish Ambassador Kirsti Westphalen and Marimekko designer Mika Piirainen who flew in from Finland. On hand to welcome guests were the proud hosts — Tanapong Chirapanidchakul, CEO of Tanachira Retail Corporation, which also owns the Thailand stores for both Pandora and Jonathan Adler, and ML Chanika Patpongpanich, brand manager for Marimekko.
Finnish ambassador Kirsti Westphalen.
Guests were eager to view the flagship store, plus the fashion and homeware items bearing Marimekko’s unique identity, with its bold and colourful prints that evoke a sense of joy and energy, and the more subtle black and white contrasts that can be brooding yet calm. The store is divided into five sections: fashion, home, bags and accessories, kids, and classics.
The most photographed corner of the store was undoubtedly the ubiquitous tuk-tuk painted in the bright pink iconic Unikko poppy pattern.
Guests also enjoyed a Marimekko Spring/Summer 2015 fashion presentation, shown for the first time in Thailand, followed by a mini concert by the band My Life as Ali Thomas.
The Spring/Summer 2015 collection, titled Mindscapes and designed by Kustaa Saksi, brings elements of ocean waves, surf and whirlpools, tropical jungles and floral oases in the city. The prints transport the force of nature into the urban lifestyle, with colours that reflect shades of the blue sky, cool sand and warm sun. Images of marine animals and plants are combined into a motif called Merivuokko for this collection.
Marimekko’s timeless designs, with their unique colourful floral prints and graphic line patterns, have been enjoyed by the Scandinavians for more than 60 years, since Armi Ratia created the brand to combat depression in wartime Scandinavia.
It’s good that Thais can now avail themselves of this well-known brand right here in Thailand at last. n
