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Object Timeline

1977

  • Work on this object began.

1979

  • We acquired this object.

2012

2013

2025

  • You found it!

Printed Textile, Heraaminen

This is a Printed textile. It was designed by Penti Rinta and manufactured by Marimekko Oy. It is dated 1977 and we acquired it in 1979. Its medium is cotton and its technique is screen printed on plain weave. It is a part of the Textiles department.

Marimekko famously blurred the lines of gendered fashion systems. The Finnish company’s approach to design reflected an interest in youth culture, which questioned conformity and authority. Designers for the Marimekko brand created unisex garments, loose and comfortable leisure wear for women, less restrictive menswear, and fashions suitable for a wide variety of body types.

As a designer for Marimekko, Pentti Rinta created pieces that customers could mix and match to suit their individual tastes. He also designed this textile, titled Heraaminen, with an enormous repeat size of almost 70 inches. With such an unusually large repeat, each dress or blouse could be made with pattern pieces cut from a different part of the design. A variety of unique looks could be cut from the same cloth, giving consumers more agency.

This object was featured in our Object of the Week series in a post titled A Mass Customizable Textile Design.

This object was donated by Marimekko, Inc.. It is credited Gift of Marimekko, Inc..

Our curators have highlighted 1 object that are related to this one.

Its dimensions are

H x W: 353.1 x 137.2 cm (139 x 54 in.) Repeat H: 177.2 cm (69 3/4 in.)

Cite this object as

Printed Textile, Heraaminen; Designed by Pentti Rinta (Finnish, b. 1946); Manufactured by Marimekko Oy (Finland); Finland; cotton; H x W: 353.1 x 137.2 cm (139 x 54 in.) Repeat H: 177.2 cm (69 3/4 in.); Gift of Marimekko, Inc.; 1979-89-15

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<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18498735/ |title=Printed Textile, Heraaminen |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=11 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>