Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.
Holiday shopping, no matter how hard you try to avoid it, can end up being a rushed ordeal. The days sneak up on you, you think you have more time than you do, and ultimately, you find yourself stuck with less-than-thoughtful gifts.
We’ve all been there, but from experience, the best way to avoid the generic gifting is to hit a location where you can cover most — if not all — of your bases, from clothes to dinnerware to even stationery. Marimekko is one of those places (as are all the shops on this list.)
The brand — originally founded in 1951 by textile designer Armi Ratia — offers a huge range of clothing (for men, women, and children) and home goods in fun and easily recognizable patterns and prints. The company is known for constantly nodding to its Finnish heritage, and some of its very first textiles are still in rotation today.
“I find it very liberating to have such a strong history to lean on,” says the brand’s creative director, Anna Teurnell, who was poached from & Other Stories in 2014. “I think Marimekko is a brand that’s all about creating products and clothing that can lift one’s everyday life so that it feels more special, more cared for,” she says.
With a huge selection of fashion-forward, practical items under $100 — like wallets, umbrellas, scarves, and sunglasses — to pricier, more involved pieces like mohair jackets and plush bedding, you’ll be covered in the gift department for acquaintances and loved ones alike. Here are Teurnell’s favorite picks that are shoppable right now.
Teurnell suggests styling the Gill Dress ($395) with the Katyna shirt ($95) underneath.
Children’s Sikkura Shirt ($65) and Children’s Helka Pant ($115).
Aali Pumps ($465), Flower Vase ($60).