Last year, the Katleija (cattleya) motif composed of flowering sprigs joined Marimekko's portfolio of bold prints.
Designed by Paavo Halonen, it conveys a sense of repeating movement and growth, in the same way as the Finnish design house reintroduces its prints in a bolder way each season.
Sporting outfits in the signature patterns, Marimekko's admirers attended the launch of the new collection, held recently at The Mustang Blu Bangkok, on Maitri Chit Road, near Hua Lamphong railway station.
Housed in a late 19th-century building, the boutique hotel boasts raw concrete walls, a spiral staircase, an old bank vault, vintage furniture and stuffed animals among its striking decorative items. Still, there was space left for a runway to present the latest ready-to-wear in a beguiling ambiance.
In Thailand, the lifestyle and fashion brand is represented by Tanachira Retail Corporation, whose CEO Tanapong Chirapanidchakul, marketing director Angsana Puangmalit and Marimekko brand manager Praewpailyn Aimaksorn welcomed guests to the launch event.
The fashion show featured pre-spring pieces in vibrant floral prints such as Talkoot (communal work) with lavender hues designed by Fujiwo Ishimoto, Viivakukka (line flowers) with carnations arranged in rows by Satu Maaranen, and Herbaario (herbarium) by Lotta Maija.
The spring/summer 2020 collection is inspired by Irving Penn's Flower book published in 1980. The celebrated American photographer captured remarkable images of flowers, such as the peony, poppy and tulip, at each stage of growth.
From Marimekko's archives, prints from the 60s and 70s that match Penn's portraits of flowers have been reworked for the new dresses and other apparel.
The season's prints include Unikko (poppy), Pioni (peony), Rakastaa Ei Rakasta (loves me, loves me not) and Florestan (an arrangement of tulips and narcissi), all designed by Maija Isola.
It's also a season for stripes, such as Piccolo and Ristipiccolo, painted by Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi in 1953. The classic patterns are back in new silhouettes, shapes and colourways for the ready-to-wear as well as canvas bags.
MR Chanladda Yukol, Pornnapa Kiatsrichart, Piyada Nanta, Saengkhae Hemkamonset and Navadee Mokkhavesa.
Angsana Puangmalit, Tanapong Chirapanidchakul and Praewpailyn Aimaksorn.
Panchinee Suphanrat and Wanlada Porjit.
Chanicha Boonpanuvichit.
Nontaphat Chuenwarin and Supanaree Sutavijitvong.
Pichaya Osothcharoenpol and Dr Vipada Vamvanij. photo:
Chanaradee Chatrakul Na Ayudhya. photo:
