Marimekko Corporation and H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB have today signed a license
agreement whereby Marimekko licenses some of its popular patterns from the
1950s, 1960s and 1970s to H&M's summer collection 2008. The impressive
collection of around 50 products will be sold in H&M stores in 28
countries.
“Our design team has long admired Marimekko´s vivid patterns
and colours. When
our designers came up with the idea of creating a
collection with Marimekko
patterns, it felt very natural and timely. The
summer collection 2008 will be
joyfully fresh like a vitamin injection,”
states H&M´s head of design Margareta
van den Bosch.
“H&M is one of the trendiest and
most successful fashion houses in the world. I
see a great value in our
co-operation. I believe that it will enhance
Marimekko's
international recognition among young and fashion-conscious
consumers,” says Kirsti Paakkanen, President of Marimekko.
In addition to increased international visibility, licensing co-operation
with
H&M will generate substantial non-recurring royalty earnings to
Marimekko during
the second quarter of 2008.
MARIMEKKO CORPORATION
Group Communications
Marja Korkeela
Tel. +358 9 758 7238
Fax: +358 9 759 1676
E-mail: marja.korkeela@marimekko.fi
For additional information, please
contact:
Marimekko Corporation:
Kirsti Paakkanen, President,
tel. +358 9 758 71
Päivi Lonka, Export
Director, tel. +358 9 758 7430, paivi.lonka@marimekko.fi
Thomas Ekström,
CFO, tel. +358 9 758 7261,
thomas.ekstrom@marimekko.fi
Kirsi Räikkönen, Director, Marketing and Development,
tel. +358 9 758 7230, kirsi.raikkonen@marimekko.fi
H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB:
Kristina Stenvinkel, Communications Manager, tel. +46 8 796 3908,
kristina.stenvinkel@hm.com
Annacarin Björne, Press Officer, tel. +46 8 796 3908,
annacarin.bjorne@hm.com
Distribution:
OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinki
Principal media
Marimekko's website, www.marimekko.com
Marimekko is a leading Finnish
textile and clothing design company that was
established in 1951. The
company designs, manufactures and markets high-quality
clothing, interior
decoration textiles, bags and other accessories under the
Marimekko brand,
both in Finland and abroad. In 2006, the company's net sales
amounted to
EUR 71.4 million. Exports and income from international operations
accounted
for 25% of the Group's net sales. Licensing has been part of
Marimekko's operations in Finland and abroad since the 1960s. The Group
employs
about 400 people. The company's share is quoted on the OMX Nordic
Exchange
Helsinki. For further information visit www.marimekko.com
H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) was established in Sweden
in 1947. The company's
business concept is to offer fashion and quality at the
best price. H&M is
quoted on the OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm. Today
there are more than 1,500 H&M
stores in 28 countries. H&M has more than 60,000
employees and achieved sales
including VAT in 2006 of SEK 80,081 million.
H&M has a wide product range that
is divided into a number of different
concepts for women, men, teenagers,
children and cosmetics. The
company's clothing collections are created by its
own designers, pattern
makers and buyers. For further information visit
www.hm.com
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