The collection features a scaled version of Aino Aalto's Kirsikankukka (or cherry blossom) motif, printed across white, blue and pink colourways to complement Tekla’s bedding collection. The minimal, almost abstract suggestion of a flower, which differed from the more decorative depictions common at the time of its creation, complements Tekla’s clear design expression.

In addition, the collection sees children's bedding being made available for the first time from Tekla, inspired by a baby bed made by Aino and serving as a tribute to the role she played in establishing Artek furniture for children.

The Kirsikankukka pattern

In the 1930s, Aino Aalto met the Japanese ambassador to Finland, Hikotaro Ichikawa and his wife, Kayoko, who gave Aino a gift of silk fabric with a cherry blossom motif. Inspired by the design, Aino created the Kirsikankukka pattern – meaning cherry blossom in Finnish – as an homage to Japanese art and design. The pattern, among many others created by Aino, was part of the standard collection of printed fabrics sold at Artek, used in interior design projects or for upholstering, but was sadly lost over time.

Then, in 2016, a small replica print was rediscovered at an exhibition dedicated to Aino in Tokyo, and small original swatches of the fabric were located at the Alvar Aalto Museum in Jyväskylä, Finland. The pattern was reconstituted and brought back into production in 2019 as part of celebration of the friendship between Finland and Japan.

The collection is crafted using Tekla’s high-quality percale cotton, woven with a 200 thread count and lightly stonewashed for a crisp, soft finish. All products are available in both adult and kids sizes across duvet covers and pillow shams.

The Kirsikankukka collection from Tekla and Artek is launched with an in-store exhibition at Tekla Copenhagen as part of Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design 2024, complemented by archival pieces provided by Artek 2nd Cycle.

The collection is available for purchase at teklafabrics.com, Artek’s Helsinki and Tokyo Stores, and the Tekla Copenhagen store.