2014
Maailman Mekot / Global Dresses
Design: COMPANY (Aamu Song & Johan Olin)
for Contemporary Art Museum KIASMA, exhibition ’Together / Kimpassa’ with Marimekko & Kiasma
Manufactured in Finland, in Japan, in Korea and in Russia
Materials: Fabric from Finland, Japan, Korea, Russia, Saudi-Arabia, Togo and Uzbekistan
Photos: All product pictures: National Gallery of Finland/ Petri Virtanen,
Photos of children: Yehia Eweis. Travel photos: COMPANY.

In ’Maailman Mekot / Global Dresses’ we took Finnish Marimekko fabrics to different parts of the world and made different traditional costumes together with skillful local makers. From our travels, we brought back to Finland local fabrics and made Marimekko costumes with dressmakers in Marimekko factory. In the piece, Marimekko is in dialoque with different cultures.
‘When I see Marimekko, it is Marimekko the company, but in a way it's almost Finnish national dress’.




Maailman Mekot / Global Dresses in Contemporary Art Museum KIASMA.
In the exhibition ’Kimpassa / Together’, Finnish art, design and fashion get together at the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma. Sixteen artists and designers were invited to create new works for the exhibition produced by Marimekko and Kiasma.
JAPANESE HANTEN
A traditional Japanese winter coat for home
Fabric: Marimekko ’Iso Suomu’ by Annika Rimala. Cotton.
Lining: Marimekko ’Pallo’ by Annika Rimala. Cotton.
Filling: Cotton wool by Niikawa-Kei.
Manufactured by Miyata Orimono, a hundred year old Hanten factory in Kurume, Japan.		   ORI RYPPYPEPPU JAPAN
Finnish-Japanese jumpsuit
Dress design: Marimekko ’Ryppypeppu’ jump suit by Annika Rimala.
Materials: Traditional Kurume Ori cotton fabric by Miyata Orimono, Kurume, Japan.
Manufactured by Seija Karstila (sewing) and Tarja Sjögren (cutting) in Marimekko, Herttoniemi, Finland.
JAPANESE HANTEN FOR KIDS
A traditional Japanese winter coat for home
Fabric: Marimekko ’Pikku Suomu’ by Annika Rimala. Cotton.
Lining: Marimekko ’Pallo’ by Annika Rimala. Cotton.
Filling: Cotton wool by Niikawa-Kei.
Collars: Velvet.
Manufactured by Miyata Orimono in Kurume, Japan.		   KASURI RYPPYPEPPU JAPAN
Finnish-Japanese jumpsuit
Dress design: Marimekko ’Ryppypeppu’ jump suit by Annika Rimala.
Materials: Traditional Kurume Kasuri (Ikat dyed) cotton fabric by Momura Orimono in Kurume, Japan.
Manufactured by Seija Karstila (sewing) and Tarja Sjögren (cutting) in Marimekko, Herttoniemi, Finland.
KIHLATASKU CAMOUFLAGE
A mixture of military needs and fairy tales
Dress design: Marimekko ’Kihlatasku’ by Vuokko Nurmesniemi.
Materials: Previously official Korean military camouflage fabric. Blend of cotton and polyester.
Manufactured by Seija Karstila (sewing) and Tarja Lehtinen (cutting) in Marimekko, Herttoniemi, Finland.		   MILITARY UNIFORM
A military uniform in camouflage pattern
Material: Marimekko ’Mojave’ by Erja Hirvi. Cotton, badges, velcro.
Manufactured by Heelim (military uniform maker) in Yongsan, Seoul, Korea.
UNIVERSAL MARI-ESSU
An office friendly apron
Manufactured by Arja Kaisko (sewing) and Tarja Sjögren (cutting) in Marimekko, Herttoniemi, Finland.
Dress design: ’Mari-essu’ by Vuokko Nurmesniemi.
Materials: Classic suit fabric, wool cashmere blend.		   MEN'S SUIT
A classic men's bespoke suit
Manufactured by Yun Kwang Pok / Hahn's tailor in Itaewon, Seoul, Korea
Material: Marimekko ’Frekvenssi’ by Harri Koskinen, Polyester.
RUSSIAN DRESS
A traditional Russian dress with Sarafan, Rubaha and Shawl
Fabric for Rubaha: Marimekko ’Heinä’ by Maija Isola. Linen.
Fabric for Sarafan: Marimekko ’Maalaisruusu’ by Maija Isola and Marimekko ’Sonja’ by Aino-Maija Metsola. Cotton.
Fabric for Shawl: Marimekko ’Appelsiini’ by Maija Isola. Linen.
Manufactured in Gipur, Tskalovsk, Russia by Elena Balashova, Natalia Kharlamova (dress makers), Tatyana Makarova (dergalschitsa – creator of patterns by pulling out yarns from fabric), Valentina Krylova (embroiderer), Olga Migutina (seamstress).		   TAKILA RUSSIA
Russian flowers melt into Marimekko's geometry
Dress design: Marimekko ’Takila’ by Annika Rimala.
Materials: Traditional Hohloma patterned fabric from Russia. Cotton. Rose patterned fabric from Ivanov, Russia. Cotton.
Manufactured by Arja Kaisko (sewing) and Tarja Sjögren (cutting) in Marimekko, Herttoniemi, Finland.
UZBEK KUILAK
Traditional Uzbek women’s tunic dress
Material: Marimekko ’Ostjakki’ by Fujiwo Ishimoto. Cotton.
Manufactured by Tarja Sjögren in Marimekko, Herttoniemi, Finland.
*Original dress for pattern making was bought from Mr. Daulat from Samarkand, Uzbekistan.		   TAKILA UZBEKISTAN
Marimekko in Silk Road style
Dress design: Marimekko ’Takila’ by Annika Rimala.
Materials: Uzbekistan traditional Ikat fabric, silk.
Manufactured by Arja Kaisko (sewing) and Tarja Sjögren (cutting) in Marimekko, Herttoniemi, Finland.
KOREAN HANBOK FOR WOMEN
A traditional Korean women's dress for celebration day
Manufactured by Aahyoung Hanbok in Kwangjang traditional market, Seoul, Korea.
Fabric for Jeogori (upper garment) and shoes: Marimekko ’Puketti’ by Annika Rimala, Cotton.
Fabric for chima (skirt): Marimekko ’Piccolo’ by Vuokko Nurmesniemi, Cotton.
Fabric for hat: Marimekko 'Nadja' by Vuokko Nurmesniemi, Cotton, Gold folio, Stone.		   JOKAPOIKA KOREA
& PIKKUPOJANPAITA KOREA (photo below)
Korean colorful stripes meet Marimekko classic
Manufactured by Henna Holmberg (sewing) and Tarja Sjögren (cutting) in Marimekko, Herttoniemi, Finland.
Dress design: ’Jokapoika’ by Vuokko Nurmesniemi, Marimekko.
Materials: Traditional Korean Saektong Yangdan silk satin fabric.

ILOINEN TAKKI KOREA
Double happiness
Dress design: Marimekko ’Iloinen takki’ by Vuokko Nurmesniemi.
Materials: Traditional Korean Saektong Yangdan silk satin fabrics.
Manufactured by Seija Karstila (sewing) and Tarja Sjögren (cutting) in Marimekko, Herttoniemi, Finland.

   KOREAN HANBOK FOR GIRLS
A traditional Korean women's dress for celebration day
Fabric for Jeogori (upper garment) and shoes: Marimekko ’Puketti’ by Annika Rimala. Cotton.
Fabric for chima (skirt): Marimekko ’Piccolo’ by Vuokko Nurmesniemi. Cotton.
Fabric for hat: Marimekko 'Nadja' by Vuokko Nurmesniemi. Cotton, Gold folio, Stone.
Manufactured by Aahyoung Hanbok in Kwangjang traditional market, Seoul, Korea.
ARABIAN JOKAPOIKA
Everyboy with Saudi style
Dress design: Marimekko ’Jokapoika’ by Vuokko Nurmesniemi.
Material: Keffiyeh scarf fabric from Saudi Arabia. Wool, cotton.
Manufactured by Marja Niilonen (sewing) and Seija Karstila (cutting) in Marimekko, Herttoniemi, Finland.		   SAUDI ARABIAN THAWB & KEFFIYEH
Traditional Saudi men's dress
Fabric for Thawb (dress): Marimekko ’Lepo’ by Fujiwo Ishimoto. Cotton.
Fabric for Keffiyeh (head scarf): Marimekko 'Tasaraita' by Annika Rimala. Cotton.
Manufactured by Seija Karstila in Marimekko, Herttoniemi, Finland.
*Original Saudi men's dress for pattern making was bought from Ebay.
TOGOLESE COSTUME
A traditional togolese men's costume
Material: Marimekko ’Afrikan kuningatar’ by Oiva Toikka. Cotton.
Manufactured by Seija Karstila in Marimekko, Herttoniemi, Finland.
*Original dress borrowed from Mr. Olli Sulander, Togo consulate in Finland.		   TOGOLESE KYTKIN COSTUME
Beautiful cultural crash in two pieces
Dress design: Marimekko ’Kytkin’ trousers and jacket suit by Annika Rimala.
Material: Togolese cotton fabric from Cotonou market, Benin (bought by A. Sorjanen).
Manufactured by Marja Niilonen in Marimekko, Herttoniemi, Finland.

MARI MATRYOSHKA
A 6-piece matryoshka set
Manufactured in Semenov, Russia
by Tatyana, Galina, et. al.
Material: linden, paint, lacquer.


MAKING OF MAAILMAN MEKOT / GLOBAL DRESSES / JAPANESE HANTEN



April 2014. Arriving to Kurume, Japan. We are visiting Miyata Orimono, a hundred year old family factory. We are going to make traditional Hanten jackets using Marimekko fabrics.




First Hiroko-san takes us on a factory tour to show us the manufacturing secrets of Hanten jackets.




Miyata Orimono weaves their own fabric for Hanten jackets. Above the traditional manufacturing method of Kurume Ori fabric.



Nobuhiro san guides us through the hall of weaving machines producing Kurume Ori fabrics.



Next we pay a visit to the close by cottonwool factory that provides the filling for the Hantens.



Our special Hanten jackets are ready. Behind us is the process of filling jackets with cotton wool.



Sketches for Hanten jackets. We used Marimekko's classic ’Pikku Suomu’ and ’Pallo’ fabrics.



Next day we are visiting Momura Orimono fabric factory. This factory produces traditional Kasuri fabric, an old Ikat technique using indigo dyed yarns.




The patterns are created by knotting the yarns before the dye. The process leaves the knotted, and therefore un-dyed, parts of the yarn white.



The yarns are then coiled into spools. This is done thread-by-thread to create the pattern.



Spools are inserted to the weaving machines.



Choosing Kurume Kasuri fabrics to bring back with us for making ’Ryppypeppu’ jump suit at Marimekko factory.



After we return to Finland we take the Kurume Gasuri and Ori fabrics to meet Marimekko.

MAKING OF MILITARY UNIFORM. SEOUL, KOREA.



January 2014. We a visiting Heelim, a military uniform manufacturer in Yongsan, Seoul to make a military dress using Marimekko fabrics. After our special uniform is ready, we get for some Korean military camouflage fabric to create a Marimekko uniform.



February 2014. Back in Finland at Marimekko factory Seija starts making patterns for our Kihlatasku camouflage.

MAKING OF MEN'S SUIT. SEOUL, KOREA.



April 2014. Visiting Hahn's tailor in Itaewon, Korea. Taking measures of Johan for a bespoke suit in Marimekko fabric.



Here suit out of Marimekko Frekvenssi fabric is born.




A few days later Johan in the test fitting of the suit.



Few weeks later back at the Marimekko factory Arja is making Mari-essu dress out of the suit fabric which we brought back from our journey.

MAKING OF UZBEK KUILAK



December 2013. We are visiting traditional craft fair in Moscow where we meet Mr. Daulan from Samarkand and his faboulous collection of traditional Uzbek Ikat silk fabrics and dresses.



Back in Helsinki we start to plan a Marimekko dress using the Ikat fabrics we brought from Moscow.



Henna, Maria and Aamu at Marimekko With Uzbek and Russia dressess.



We brought with us also a traditional Uzbek dress for pattern making and use Fujiwo Ishimoto’s Ikat inspired ’Ostjakki’ fabric for re-creating a new Uzbek dress.

MAKING OF TRADITIONAL RUSSIAN DRESS. TSHKALOVSK, RUSSIA



March 2014. Welcome to Gipur dress factory in Tshkalovsk, Russia. We’ll be using a traditional local technique where threads from linen fabric are pulled away one-by-one to create decorative patterns.



After pulling away the yarns, the pattern is finished using sewing machine.



A collection of Marimekko fabrics for making the traditional Russian Shapova. We choose a couple of linen fabrics from Marimekko to be able to use the Gipur technique.

HANBOK MAKING. SEOUL, KOREA



April 2014. Planning a Korean traditional Hanbok costume in Seoul, Korea. Our selection of Marimekko fabrics on the table.



Sketch for a Hanbok dress.



Next day, not far away, we meet a maker of traditional Korean Hanbok shoes. Here measuring ’Puketti’ fabric for the shoes.



The ready Hanbok shoes in Marimekko ’Puketti’ fabric.



Back at Marimekko, we go through our material shoppings for ’Iloinen Takki’ and ’ Jokapoik’a shirt in Korean styles.



Selection of Korean fabrics for the pockets of ’Iloinen Takki’.



Tarja making ’Iloinen Takki‘ using traditional Korean fabrics at Marimekko factory.



Aamu joins Seija in making the many pockets of Iloinen Takki.

MAKING OF SAUDI ARABIAN COSTUME



May 2014. After some unsuccesfull attempts to get a costume manufactured in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia we turn to Ebay and order a Saudi mens’ robe and scarf for pattern making. Above sketches for ‘Jokapoika’ shirt out of Keffieyh scarf and as an exchange we use Marimekko ’Tasaraita’ fabric for a Keffieyh scarf.



Ebay saves us in getting the Keffiyeh scarfs in time for making Marimekko Jokapoika shirt.

MAKING OF TOGOLESE COSTUME



January 2014. Our friend Axa Sorjanen brought us an amazing Togolese fabric which he bought during his trip to Benin.
Later in the spring we are visiting the Togo consulate in Finland to meet Olli Sulander, who is showing us a collection of traditional Togolese costumes. We borrow one of Olli’s own costumes for pattern making.


Sketch for new traditional Togolese costume. Oiva Toikka’s ’African Queen‘ fabric should make a perfect Finnish-Togolese match.



Maria, Johan and Henna at Marimekko factory with the new Togolese costume.


MAKING OF MARI MATRYOSHKA

Sketches for Mari Matryoshka.



March 2014. On the way to the town of Semenov, Russia.



Making of Mari Matryoshkas at Semenov Matryoshka factory.



Aamu and painting master Tatyana discussing the Mari Matryoshka looks.



Aamu with masters Galina & Galina.



Thank you for scrolling all the way down here.
And super thank you Yehia and family for amazing last moment super modelling.
Maailman Mekot / Global Dresses will continue from here.

Also a big Thank you / Kiitos / Kamsahamnida / Arigato / Spasibo:
Arja, Axa, Designmuseum, Elena, Heidi, Henna,Hiroko san, Julia, J-P, Maria, Mirek, Nene, Omoni & Aboji, Olli, Petri, Satoshi, Shutaro san, Svetlana, Tarja & Tarja, Timo, Ville.