Internationally renowned textile artist and designer Vuokko Nurmesniemi died over the weekend at the age of 96. Finnish public broadcaster YLE reported on Wednesday.
- Internationally renowned textile designer Vuokko Nurmesniemi has died at the age of ninety-six.
- She became famous for Marimekko, where she created distinctive colorful graphic patterns.
- Later, she worked under her own brand Vuokko with an emphasis on functionality.
- Her designs were worn by Jacqueline Kennedy during her marriage to President John Kennedy.
- Iconic Vuokko models were worn by Hillary Clinton and Finnish political figures.
She became famous mainly for her work for the company Marimekko, where she created distinctive color patterns. Later she created under her own brand Vuokko. Her design was distinctive simplicity, functionality and strong graphic motifs with bold colors, stripes and simple geometric patterns.
She is one of the significant figures of modern design of the 20th century, and many of her designs are still in circulation. They have become sought-after vintage pieces in Finland and abroad. She also created distinctive upholstery fabrics for the Nojatuoli 004 armchair, which was designed by Antti Nurmesniemi in 1980.
Her designs gained international attention in the 1960s when she it was also loved and worn by Jacqueline Kennedy during her marriage to President John F. Kennedy.
Her iconic Iloinen Takki coat model was also liked by another former first lady of the USA, later Secretary of State and Senator Hillary Clinton. Her models were and are worn by the current Finnish first lady Suzanne Innes-Stubbová, former president Tarja Halonenová and other important personalities.
