Marimekko Holds Fall Presentations

In step with its international expansion plan, Marimekko held fall presentations in New York, Sydney and Stockholm Thursday. At Gary’s Loft in Manhattan, Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko, who takes on the role of president as of April 9, mapped out how the company is building its global presence. A little jet-lagged from a recent trip to Tokyo to show the fall collection, the Helsinki-based chief operating officer said, “During the time I have been with the company, I have had the opportunity to go out into the world and see the potential that we have for the brand.” With 145 stores worldwide, the company plans to open 10 to 20 stores this year, half of which are expected to be in Asia, the brand’s fastest-growing area. In the past few years, the company has doubled the number of its stores there to 46. Northern Europe and North America are Marimekko’s other major markets. In addition, the brand is building upon its underlying awareness in Australia, which used to be one of its biggest export markets in the Seventies. “It’s really been a matter of kind of educating the next generation of customers,” Alahuhta-Kasko said. Looking to make customer service more seamless and personal, Marimekko is

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