Vuokko Nurmesniemi

The recorded working language is Finnish. Work by Vuokko Nurmesniemi is recorded in the collections of Design Museum Gent, Metropolitan Museum of Art and Kunstmuseum Den Haag. Distinctions recorded are Lunning Prize, Kaj Franck Design Prize, Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland and Prince Eugen Medal.

• Honorific Prefix — HonRDI • Name — Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi • Honorific Suffix — FRSA • Birth Name — Vuokko Hillevi Lilian Eskolin • Born — 12 February 1930 • Birthplace — Helsinki, Finland • Died — 19 April 2026 • Place of death — Helsinki, Finland • Education — Institute of Industrial Arts (Helsinki) • Known for — Textile design at Marimekko • Awards — Arts Academian, Honorary Royal Designer for Industry

Eskolin-Nurmesniemi studied ceramics at the Institute of Industrial Arts (in Finnish: Taideteollinen oppilaitos) in Helsinki, Finland. After graduating, she designed glassware and ceramics for Arabia and Nuutajärvi. In 1957, she received a gold medal at the Milan Triennial XI for her glassware. She joined the Finnish company Marimekko in 1953. She designed patterns for many of their printed fabrics in the 1950s; together with Maija Isola, she was responsible for most of Marimekko's patterns. Nurmesniemi's signature product was a simply striped red and white shirt named Jokapoika, in 1956; she went on to create a large number of striking designs. Nurmesniemi left Marimekko in 1960 due to conflicts with Marimekko founder Armi Ratia. She founded her own company, Vuokko Oy, in 1964, and designed textiles as well as ready-to-wear clothing and accessories. This company closed its doors in 1988. In 1990 Nurmesniemi founded a second company, Vuokko Nurmesniemi Oy. She received the Milan Triennale XI in 1957 and Milan Triennial XIII grand prix in 1964, the Lunning Prize for design in 1964, the Prince Eugen Medal in 1986, and the Kaj Franck Design Prize in 1997. Nurmesniemi was married to designer Antti Nurmesniemi until his death in 2003. Vuokko Nurmesniemi died on 19 April 2026, at the age of 96.

• Illustration — Vuokko and Antti Nurmesniemi (right) receiving the Milan medal from the Finnish minister of education Jussi Saukkonen in 1965. Nurmesniemi's designs are in the permanent collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum. In the summer of 2009, the Röhsska museum in Gothenburg, Sweden, held an exhibition of her designs.

Vuokko Nurmesniemi was recorded at birth as Vuokko Hillevi Lilian Eskolin. The authorities additionally record the headings Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi, Vuokko Hillevi Lilian Eskolin-Nurmesniemi, Vuoko Nurmesniemi, Vuokko Eskolin and Vuokko Hillevi Lilian Eskolin. Her recorded language was Finnish. She married Antti Nurmesniemi.

Vuokko Nurmesniemi is recorded with the occupation fashion designer. Recorded with the occupation textile artist. Recorded as a citizen of Finland.