Mika Piirainen

Designer Mika Piirainen is FCINY’s artist-in-residence in February–March 2017. Since his graduation in 1994, Piirainen has been working for Finnish brand Marimekko. Over the years, his collections have included a whole range of lifestyle products encompassing  womenswear, menswear, children’s clothing, bags and accessories, and interior products.

Currently working mainly on womenswear, Piirainen aims at creating timeless pieces that can be worn for generations. Functionality, minimalism and creative use of patterns – both Marimekko signature prints as well as his own his own – are characteristic of Piirainen’s designs.

In 2010 Piirainen was awarded ‘Kultainen vaatepuu’, a notable Finnish fashion industry award. It is presented annually to a designer or a company producing functional, exportable high-quality collections that are as domestic as possible. Piirainen’s designs have been featured in numerous magazines and publications both in Finland an internationally.

During his time in New York, Piirainen will be searching for new perspectives on his work, wishing to challenge his thinking as a designer. He is especially intrigued by the ethnic clusters of the New York City boroughs, and the imprints they leave on people’s everyday lives.