MARIMEKKO OPENS ITS SECOND STORE IN LONDON – AS PART OF THE WORLD’S FIRST POP-UP MALL

Marimekko Corporation, Press Release, 2 December 2011 at 10.30 AM

MARIMEKKO OPENS ITS SECOND STORE IN LONDON – AS PART OF THE WORLD’S FIRST POP-UP MALL

Marimekko will open its second company-owned retail store in London on 3 December 2011. The new store will be part of the world’s first pop-up mall, Boxpark Shoreditch. The former working class area Shoreditch is an East London district nowadays gentrified by the creative industries and people, tastemakers and scenesters. The innovative Boxpark mall is built on moveable shipping containers to create a unique mix of carefully chosen international fashion, art and lifestyle brands – Marimekko one of them. The new Marimekko Box Shop differs from all of the company’s other stores, except the newly opened store in the design district of Helsinki. At Boxpark Shoreditch, a constantly varying range will focus on Marimekko’s spearhead products and experimental launches combined with strong visuals.

“It’s natural for Marimekko to be part of this unique international pop-up mall of brands with a radical attitude. I think London’s Shoreditch, as the creative heart of the global capital of street style, gives us a great opportunity to launch an inspiring conversation with the local tastemaker community. And this district of sparkling creativity definitely challenges us to try out new things and to break established norms in our line of business. The Marimekko Box Shop represents the special features of our design. With our glowing colours, bold patterns and strong design appreciation, we will bring a joyful and passionate flavour to the interesting combination of trailblazing brands and styles, thoughts and visions,” says Creative Director Minna Kemell-Kutvonen.

The Boxpark Shoreditch pop-up mall will initially open for up to five years. The mall will be home to more than sixty carefully selected brands like 55DSL, Calvin Klein, Vans, Bukowski and Marimekko. The container number of the Marimekko Box Shop will be 16 and the address Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6GY.

Further information:

MARIMEKKO CORPORATION
Marketing Communications

Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko
Acting Marketing Director, Head of PR
Tel. +358 9 758 7328
tiina.alahuhta-kasko@marimekko.fi

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Marimekko is a Finnish textile and clothing design company renowned for its original prints and colours. The company designs and manufactures high-quality interior decoration items ranging from furnishing fabrics to tableware as well as clothing, bags and other accessories. When Marimekko was founded in 1951, its unparalleled printed fabrics gave it a strong and unique identity. Marimekko products are sold in approximately 40 countries. In 2010, brand sales of Marimekko products worldwide amounted to approximately EUR 150 million and the company's net sales were EUR 73 million. The number of Marimekko stores totalled 84 at the year end. The key markets in 2011 are North America, Northern Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The Group employs around 400 people. The company’s share is quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. www.marimekko.com.