Marimekko Corporation, Press release, 14 September 2017 at 12.30 p.m.
Marimekko’s theme for the 100th anniversary of Finland’s independence focuses on bold patterns and doing things together open-mindedly. In collaboration with Slush, Europe’s leading event for technology and start-ups, and Junction, the largest hackathon in Europe, we are organising an international competition, Marimekko Designathon, in which 50 younger generation creators have been selected to participate and challenge the traditional conventions of the textile and clothing industry.
Marimekko Designathon will combine design and technology in order to find new innovative solutions with the help of virtual and augmented reality technologies. The international hackathon will be held at Marimekko’s headquarters in Helsinki, Finland during the upcoming weekend from 15 to 17 September 2017, in conjunction with Helsinki Design Week.
At the conclusion of the event on Sunday 17 September, a jury composed of international experts and the competition organisers will select the top 3–5 ideas from approximately 10 entries. The winners will have the opportunity to present their ideas to an audience of investors and start-ups at Slush 2017, 30 November – 1 December.
Media representatives are welcome to attend at any time during the weekend and follow how the hackathon takes over our head office and textile printing factory in Helsinki. Please notify us in advance of your attendance by email to maarit.heikkila@marimekko.com.
The hackatahon can also be followed over the weekend on social media using the hashtag #marimekkodesignathon.
More information about Marimekko Designathon, including details of the competition jury, can be found at https://www.marimekko.com/com_en/finland-100/marimekko-designathon as well as designathon.marimekko.com.
Pictures of the event are downloadable from Marimekko’s media bank on Sunday 17 September from 4 p.m. (EEST) onwards:
Mediabank.marimekko.fi
Username: Marimekkopress2017
Password: Marimekko2017
A pattern to symbolise the collaboration
Maija Louekari, one of Marimekko's most prominent younger generation print designers, has created a pattern entitled Hyvä myrsky (good storm) to symbolise the Marimekko Designathon competition. The pattern was inspired by brainstorms where bold ideas and people meet and new beginnings are born. In the pattern, multi-interpretative storm clouds and lightning strikes form a good storm that freshens the surrounding world and so enables something new to emerge. A photo of the Hyvä myrsky pattern is available at http://mediabank.marimekko.fi/l/mWqKSMb-JLq6.
Additional information:
Asta Halme, Marimekko Communications
Tel. +358 9 7587 233
asta.halme@marimekko.com
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Marimekko is a Finnish design company renowned for its original prints and colours. The company’s product portfolio includes high-quality clothing, bags and accessories as well as home décor items ranging from textiles to tableware. When Marimekko was founded in 1951, its unparalleled printed fabrics gave it a strong and unique identity. Marimekko products are sold in about 40 countries. In 2016, brand sales of the products worldwide amounted to EUR 199 million and the company's net sales were close to EUR 100 million. Roughly 160 Marimekko stores serve customers around the globe. The key markets are Northern Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. The Group employs about 400 people. The company’s share is quoted on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. www.marimekko.com