Born in 1946, textile artist Kristina Isola is part of a design royalty. Her mother Maija Isola became a world famous designer in the 1960's and Kristina followed in her footsteps by creating an impressive design path of her own. Obviously influenced by her mother’s artistic tendencies, Isola studied at the Free Art School in Helsinki and at the Institute of Industrial Arts where she was in training to become a great artist. No stranger to Marimekko, she had already designed her first interior fabrics beginning in 1964, at the young age of 18. Between 1978 and 1987 she began collaborating with her mother to create popular prints such as Madison WI.

Isola has been designing inspiring fabrics on her own, notably Ginkgo, as well as developing new color-ways to keep her mother’s classic designs fresh and current. A delicate designer, Kristina’s designs have a different spirit than that of her mother but the Isola legacy continues as Kristina Isola constantly dreams up new prints for the future.

Finnish design has a long history and is know for simplicity, functionality, and craftsmanship. It's trademark designs emerged in the early 20th century, and gained international attention through pioneers like Alvar Aalto in architecture and furniture, as well as companies such as Iittala, Artek, and Marimekko. Their work emphasized clean lines, natural materials, and a harmonious balance between beauty and practicality. Everything must have a purpose. Iconic products like the Aalto vase, Artek’s Stool 60, and Marimekko’s bold textile patterns established Finland as a leader in modernist design. Over the next century, Finnish design became synonymous with high quality, technical skill, and timeless aesthetics—qualities that have earned it global recognition, particularly during the postwar years when Nordic design was celebrated worldwide, and still is. Today, Finnish products continue to enjoy international respect, not only for their aesthetic value but also for their reputation of reliability, thoughtful construction, and cultural authenticity.