Whoever get's in contact to finnish design history sooner or later will stumble over marimekko. Founded in 1951 this company is quite important to finnish design and culture. I can point these patterns anywhere and in 8 of 10 cases I'll spot a finn. I personally like these patterns of Maija Isola. Not because I'd like to sport grandmas skirt with the ultra hot Unikko pattern, but because of the character of her designs and their qualities. Some will evoke memories of your childhood, some patterns will remind you of the covers of early russian electro LPs others will perfectly fit into your arty loft office. In case you'll have the chance to see the textiles go and have a look. I suppose they're still handmade silkscreenprints and having a closer look at it you'll get an idea of the various techniques Isola had to use and the long and expensive production she had to run through back then. And a slight feeling remains in contemporary fashion looking at Ivana, Petra Hankaniemi or Kristina Lenss as Antje puts it already out.Edit: By the way check this blog in case your looking for something patterned - obiously not the shit but maybe helpfull.
