THE ESTLANDER PRIZE OF 2002
In 2002 the Estlander Prize, with a prize sum of 5,000 € and a bronze Estlander medal, was awarded to CEO Kirsti Paakkanen in recognition of her work in promoting Finnish design.
During the last ten years, Ms. Paakkanen has revived and further developed the Marimekko Corporation as one of the leading design enterprises in Finland. She has also strengthened internationally the image of Finland as a design country. Marimekko has strongly brought forward Finnish designers and their skills. Ms. Paakkanen has also given young designers working opportunities in the company.
Kirsti Paakkanen has among other things founded the advertising agency Womena (later Womena-McCann) in 1969 where she worked as CEO and chairperson of the board until 1991. From 1991 she has been owner and CEO of Marimekko Corporation which she has developed energetically and creatively. She was conferred Honorary Doctorate at the University of Arts and Design Helsinki in 2001.