Unikko printed cotton textile sample card
Maija Isola · 1960–1979
Textile sample
Maija Isola
- Printed textile design
- Abstract florals
- Geometric rhythms
Maija Isola (1927–2001) was a Finnish textile designer and painter whose work helped define Marimekko’s visual identity. She began designing printed fabrics for Printex, Marimekko’s predecessor, in 1949 and continued with the company until 1987, creating more than 500 patterns.
Marimekko designer biography
Five looks to know
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Unikko printed cotton textile sample card
1960–1979
This Powerhouse sample card documents Unikko, the floral textile design attributed to Maija Isola.
Powerhouse
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Putkinotko furnishing fabric
1960s · Victoria and Albert Museum collection; original collection not stated
Fine plant silhouettes make a repeated textile pattern feel like a dense stand of stems.
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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Citrus furnishing fabric
1956 · Victoria and Albert Museum collection; original collection not stated
Radial circles turn the structure of sliced fruit into a lively geometric repeat.
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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Norsut furnishing fabric
1956 · Victoria and Albert Museum collection; original collection not stated
Repeated framed elephants give the textile a narrative, almost theatrical pattern.
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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Lokki cotton fabric
Pattern designed 1961; photographed printing undated · Marimekko textile designs
Broad waves turn the changing shadows of curtain folds into an abundant, rhythmic repeat.
Marimekko; photographer not statedCollections & archive pieces
1 collections represented · 1 pieceSelected work
1 piece
About Maija Isola
Drawing on nature, folk art, modern painting and travel, she moved between organic forms and bold geometric rhythms. Her designs include the waves of Lokki (1961), the rippling circles of Kaivo (1964) and Unikko (1964), an abstract poppy that became a signature Marimekko print. Alongside her textile work, Isola painted throughout her life. Her patterns continue to appear in new variations and newly produced fabrics, extending a practice that brought painting and textile printing into close conversation.