Marimekko names new creative director

Finnish design company, Marimekko, renowned for its original prints and colours, has named & Other Stories designer Anna Teurnell as its new creative director. Currently head of design for the fashion brand & Other Stories, responsible for the design of all fashion

lines and leading both design teams in Paris and Stockholm, Teurnell will join Marimekko in July to lead the label’s design strategy for “fashion, bags and accessories as well as home products”.

Mika

Ihamuotila, president and CEO of Marimekko, said: "I think that Anna Teurnell has the perfect background to lead our design team given our ambition to become one of the most fascinating design brands in the world in our field.

“Under her leadership we will focus on taking our fashion, bag and accessory assortment to a higher level and continue to develop our home product range further. Anna Teurnell's artistic vision, international experience and Nordic background are a great combination to help us meet our high ambitions.”

Minna Kemell-Kutvonen, former creative director of Marimekko, will continue in the design team with responsibility for print design.

& Other Stories designer Anna Teurnell joins Marimekko

A graduate from Beckmans College of Design in Stockholm, Teurnell has worked for the Hennes & Mauritz Group in several key roles in brand management and design, including the building of the & Other Stories brand.

Teurnell, added: "I am very excited to join the Marimekko family. I grew up with Marimekko and have had a genuine fondness for it my whole life. I also had the pleasure of getting to know it more closely when I was in charge of H&M's Tribute to Marimekko collection launched for summer 2008.

“To me, the positive Marimekko spirit stems from a unique marriage of Nordic elements. I am highly motivated to start working with my new team to make Marimekko’s print, colour and product design even more appealing."

Marimekko was founded in 1951 and is international known for its use of original prints and colourful designs. Currently the label is sold in about 40 countries and by the end of last year there were 133 Marimekko stores across its keys markets of Northern Europe, North American and the Asia-Pacific region. In 2013, sales of the company's brands equalled 191 million euros with net sales of 94 million euros.

Image: Anna Teurnell