Tres chic! Marimekko opens flagship store in France’s fashion capital
PARIS – Marimekko‘s newest flagship retail concept takes inspiration from the architecture of the company’s historic textile printing factory in Helsinki.
Opened on Oct. 24 is located in Paris’ Le Marais neighborhood at 120 Rue Vielle du Temple, the 1,500-square-foot is part of the company’s strategy to expand its global brand awareness and foster long-term growth across multiple markets.
The Marimekko Le Marais store adds to the company’s existing network of flagship stores in Helsinki, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, Copenhagen and Stockholm. Overall, there are some 170 Marimekko stores and shop-in-shops around the world.
“This store allows us to build an engaging window into the world of Marimekko’s art of printmaking and to connect with the lives and homes of Parisians with a Finnish flair,” said Marimekko creative director Rebekka Bay.
The store features accents of Finnish lifestyle design house’s iconic primary colors derived from the printing screens along with painted metal railings and fabric carts referencing the printing mill. Dedicated zones in custom colors are designed to allow customers to explore and experience the Marimekko universe across product categories.
The Walk-in-Closet area displays full editorial looks, the brand’s premium bag category is presented in a special room, the dining area serves tips for table-settings and home decoration and the Souvenir Shop highlights a rotating curation of everyday designs.
Ahead of the flagship opening, Marimekko launched pop-up stores at Le Bon Marché and Galeries Lafeyette to reinforce its presence in Paris.
“To me, this store perfectly captures Marimekko’s lifestyle philosophy: it is a space that feels like a home away from home and acts as an invitation to our community to actively engage with our brand through participation in a deeply personal way,” said Bay.
