Ensuring circularity of the value chain is one of the most important priorities for the fashion industry. At Marimekko, we aim to enable circularity through various measures implemented across our value chain. As we shift towards a more sustainable material portfolio, we also aim to choose materials and fabric qualities that are recyclable as part of our design and product development. These include mono materials, which only consist of one fiber or raw material. Through new material innovations, we aim to move towards fully circular materials that can be recycled several times without a decline in the quality or durability of the fiber.
We aim to support our customers in recycling well-worn Marimekko items. Following the successful pilot in 2021, Marimekko launched in 2022 in the company’s home market Finland a marketplace for second-hand and vintage goods to further extend the lifespan of its products. Already in the fall of 2022, the service was expanded from ready-to-wear and accessories to home products.
2022 marks the first full-year of a new, in-house, cross-functional innovation team, Innovation Works, that is responsible for the development, promotion, and piloting of innovative, more sustainable materials, dyes, and technologies, as well as new business models and services related to sustainability and the circular economy.