Museum

The Story of the House of Iconic Design

Timeless Finnish design has defined Aarikka's story already for over 70 years. The story begins with five jacaranda buttons that Kaija Aarikka designed and carved for her final project in the textile art school. These buttons embody authentic Finnish woodcraft, the beauty of nature, and unique design, which even today form the foundation for Aarikka—the Finnish House of Iconic Design.

1954

The Foundation of Aarikka

Kaija Aarikka's wooden and braided buttons are valued in fashion salons as well as in Finnish households. This marks the beginning of a success story of decades.

• The textile designer Kaija Aarikka establishes Aarikka together with her husband Erkki Ruokonen.

• Aarikka's distinctive hand-dyed buttons and jewellery, combining wood and silver, reflect the upheaval in the fashion world of the 1950s.

• Kaija Aarikka and Erkki Ruohonen develop a unique wood dyeing innovation that is used even today.

1960s

At the Roots of the Beloved Classics

Finland is becoming more international, and at the end of the decade, already half of Aarikka's total turnover consists of international export.

• Aarikka's first own shops, Nappi-Aarikka and Kukkurakauppa, are opened in Helsinki.
• Kaija Aarikka designs and manufactures blankets in her own weaving workshop.
• Aarikka's characteristic round design language and strong intensive colours capture the spirit of time.

1970s

Animal Sculptures, Home Items, and Silver Jewellery

The products now known as classics become widely popular in Finland, Japan, and the USA. During the decade, half of Aarikka's production is made for international export.

• In addition to wooden products, Kaija Aarikka designs elegant silver jewellery collections.

• Aarikka starts to design and manufacture animal sculptures and home items that even today are found in Finnish homes.

• Kaija Aarikka designs the iconic Ram sculpture.

1980s

“Les années folles” – The Boom Years of Aarikka

Aarikka's unique jewellery combining wood and chrome gain widespread success in America, and Kaija Aarikka's glass works are featured at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum in New York as part of an exhibition showcasing Finnish glass art.

• Kaija Aarikka's daughter, Pauliina Aarikka, starts to design jewellery for Aarikka.
• Aarikka's jewellery combining wood and chrome capture the spirit of time, gaining great international success with their angular, postmodern design.
• Kaija Aarikka designs the beloved Elf, and the seasonal Christmas and Easter products become a permanent part of Aarikka's collection.

1990s

Product Families, Wooden Jewellery, and Small Gifts

Even during the difficult years of the recession, Aarikka stands for Finnish woodcraft. During the decade, Aarikka's jewellery represent half of the company's total turnover.

• Pauliina Aarikka is increasingly taking the lead in Aarikka’s design.

• Aarikka's wooden jewellery gain more widespread attention, and new jewellery collections are launched more often.

• The duck figurine Allu, wooden flowers, and other small gifts become incredibely popular

2000s

New Winds and Beloved Classics

Classic products are revived, and beloved products become strong and characteristic product families.

• Pauliina Aarikka takes over the artistic leadership of Aarikka.

• The collection of home items and utensils expands with beloved classics and new products representing characteristic and iconic design.

• A stylish product family emerges around the Ram.

2017–

Deeply Rooted towards International Success

Staying true to its Finnish heritage, Aarikka makes its way to international markets with a new strategy. The iconic design and unique stories find their way to homes in Finland and abroad.

• Martinex Group acquires Aarikka.
• Aarikka's woodcraft returns to Finland in its entirety.
• Fashion is reintroduced in Aarikka's collection after decades.

“FORMS REPEAT THEMSELVES. EXPERIMENTERS CHANGE.”

– Kaija Aarikka

Subscribe to our newsletter

and get 10% off your first order. Be one of the first to know about events, products, stories and discounts.

Free delivery

For orders over 150 €