Crate and Barrel and Marimekko Take Longstanding Relationship to New Heights

NEW YORK, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Crate and Barrel will celebrate a significant point in its forty-three year relationship with Marimekko by opening a shop-in-shop dedicated to the Finnish apparel and interior design and textile house. Launching October 14, 2010 at the Crate and Barrel location in SoHo, New York, the Marimekko shop-in-shop at Crate and Barrel will feature textiles, bed and bath and other interior decoration products, plus bags, accessories and a representation of apparel. Marimekko and Crate and Barrel are also exploring further opportunities for collaboration, including additional U.S. shop-in-shops and ecommerce.

The relationship between these two industry leaders was forged in the early sixties when Crate and Barrel Co-Founders Gordon and Carole Segal discovered Marimekko at a store in Denmark. The goal of the Segals' newly-formed home furnishings business was to offer well-designed, useful, quality products at a value to their American customers – Marimekko was an ideal fit. In 1967, Crate and Barrel presented the first Marimekko fabric collections, followed by a clothing line several years later.

"In 1967, we unrolled our first bolt of Marimekko fabric," Segal once commented. "Quite frankly, our stores have never been the same since. Marimekko gave drama, color, and excitement to every wall it tumbled down and every table it covered."

Crate and Barrel and Marimekko share similar core beliefs, including a respect for timeless, approachable design and a desire to enhance their customers' everyday lives. Both brands are known for products that combine meaningful functionality with inventive aesthetics. The collaboration draws on Crate and Barrel's strong foundation in and understanding of the U.S. market and Marimekko's unique design vision which infuses color and joy into everyday products and lives.

With the new Marimekko shop-in-shop at Crate and Barrel, customers will experience an exciting new adventure as they discover the joyful Marimekko approach to design and life. Each textile and product has its own unique story, from the designer's first inspiration to the skilled artisans that bring that inspiration to life. Known for its bold and imaginative artistry, Marimekko believes good design is timeless – which is proven by the iconic designs from the 50s, 60s and 70s that live alongside with the brand new works of the young generation of Marimekko designers – the Marimekko design masters of today and the future.

Marimekko and Crate and Barrel are looking forward to the continuation of a valued partnership that has spanned nearly a half century.

About Marimekko:

Marimekko is a leading Finnish textile and clothing design house. Through its timeless and individual designs, Marimekko wants to create aesthetic experiences for every moment in life for people of all ages. The array of Marimekko design embraces interior decoration items ranging from furnishing fabrics to tableware as well as clothing, bags, jewelry and other accessories. When Marimekko was founded in 1951, the unparalleled patterns and colors of its printed fabrics gave it a strong and unique identity. Marimekko products are available in roughly 40 countries. In 2009, Marimekko's net sales were EUR 72.5 million, of which international sales accounted for 27.3%. Marimekko's shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. www.marimekko.com

About Crate and Barrel:

Multi-channel home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel was founded in Chicago in 1962 by retailing pioneers Gordon and Carole Segal. Working directly with European ateliers and factories to import their products, Crate and Barrel was among the first to make contemporary tabletop and kitchenware designs affordable to American consumers. Today, Crate and Barrel is an industry leader, known for exclusive houseware and furniture designs, excellent value and superb customer service. In addition to a thriving direct marketing division, the company operates stores in most major North American markets, including Toronto and Calgary, as well franchises in Dubai in partnership with Al Tayer Group. The Crate and Barrel family of brands now includes its more modern off-shoot, CB2, and childrens' home furnishings retailer, The Land of Nod. Crate and Barrel is a privately held company owned by the Otto Group of Hamburg, Germany. www.crateandbarrel.com

SOURCE Crate and Barrel