Kaija Aarikka

Kaija Aarikka was born in Somero to a farming family; her parents were Väinö Aarikka and Alma Maria née Kares.[1]

She completed lower secondary school[lower-alpha 1] in 1945, and later studied textile arts and design at the Taideteollinen Oppilaitos school of design (now part of Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture), graduating in 1954.[1]

Aarikka with her husband and business partner Erkki Ruokonen (c. 1950s)

In 1954, Aarikka co-founded together with her husband the eponymous design bureau Aarikka, to design and manufacture initially wooden buttons[5][6] and decorative and household items, later expanding also into personal accessories, dress jewellery and giftware.[2][1][3][5] She worked there as the firm's head designer and artistic director for most of her career, also taking over management duties including chairing the Board of Directors from 1977.[1]

The first Aarikka store opened in 1960, and by the 1980s there were 20.[7]

Aarikka is best known for her simplistic wooden designs, often in characteristic round shapes.[3] One of her most iconic creations is the wooden Pässi ('Ram') sculpture.[8]

From the early 1970s onwards, she also provided free-lance design services for Humppila and Ahlstrom glassworks (both now part of Iittala) as well as for Tampella textiles.[1][3][5] One of Aarikka's glass designs for Humppila is in the British Museum collections.[7]

In 1994, Aarikka received the Pro Finlandia medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland.[9][8]

In 1999, to mark her 70th birthday, the honorary title of Kauppaneuvos was bestowed on Aarikka.[2]

In 1954, Aarikka married businessman Erkki Ruokonen; the couple had three daughters.[1]

Her favourite pastimes included theatre, literature, and outdoor pursuits.[1]

She died, aged 85, following a long illness.[4][5]

• Aarikka Museum, with history of the company and the designer