SINGAPORE — It takes a real grouch not to be bowled over by Marimekko’s whimiscal, colourful fabrics and prints. The Finnish fashion and design brand first gained prominence when former American first lady and fashion icon Jacqueline Kennedy wore its dresses in the `60s, eventually gaining a worldwide following from New York to Japan.

Marimekko’s tie-up with Finnair is most apt, then, as it will produce tableware and tablecloth for its planes. A special floral print is even used as livery on the planes’ exteriors.

“It adds a fresh, timeless, yet modern visual element to Finnair’s aircraft and to the customers’ inflight experience,” explained Paivi Lonka, Marimekko’s head of sales. “Our goal is to bring the joy of our colours and patterns to the everyday life of people, and we are happy that we can now also do it for Finnair’s passengers. Hopefully, the emblems of our design collaboration — the two Finnair long-haul aircrafts with beautiful liveries based on Marimekko’s classic prints — will make people around the world smile.” It will certainly win the brand more fans.

“From East to West and with different cultures ... they know so much about the brand and our designs and have been following us for so many years.”

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MARIMEKKO HAS ALSO COLLABORATED WITH THE LIKES OF CONVERSE, NISSAN AND AESOP. WHAT IS THE APPEAL OF COLLABORATIONS?

We have delighted people around the world with some interesting international brand partnerships. At Marimekko, we believe in togetherness, in enriching collaboration, and hence carefully selected brand partnerships that are natural for us. This is also our way of surprising customers around the world, in many unexpected ways.

WHAT DEFINES FINNISH DESIGN?

Simple aesthetic but nothing boring, with a touch of nature and functionalism — it’s made for everyone and nothing is exclusive. Many of our designers are inspired by nature and our very distinctive four seasons: Spring, summer, autumn and winter.

SO WHERE WILL YOU BE SPENDING YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAYS?

At Paijanne, the second biggest lake in Finland. It’s a peaceful little house where we enjoy the wonderful Finnish summer with family and friends. Good food and sauna every day, swimming in the lake. It’s just relaxing.

ANY FAVOURITE SPOTS AND ACTIVITIES IN HELSINKI THAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND TO TRAVELLERS?

There are plenty of them. For example, there are some very nice stores besides our Marimekko stores in downtown Helsinki, like Artek and Aero for famous Finnish furniture. The Design District, with several nice shops showcasing international and Finnish fashion designers, is always worth a walk.

We have many nice cafes in the city centre including Marikahvila and Fazer, which has a history over 100 years. Visit, too, the many seaside cafes like Mattolaituri and Ursula. Don’t miss Aalto, located in one of the greatest bookstores I have ever visited (Akateeminen kirjakauppa).

I would also suggest going to Market Square in the mornings during summer to taste fresh berries and vegetables. Then have a picnic in Kaivopuisto to enjoy the great sea view before heading for Suomenlinna, an ancient fortress from the 18th century, which is located on an island about 20 minutes by boat from Market Square.

Of course, there are great museums, like contemporary art museum Kiasma and the Finnish Design Museum as well.