Marimekko and Stockmann silk scarves differ by over €100, expert says pricing includes “air”

A silk scarf from Marimekko retails for €150, while a comparable Stockmann house-brand scarf costs under €30, a price gap one expert says cannot be fully justified by production costs.

Kirsti Cura, a leading textile expert at LAB University of Applied Sciences, told Yle that Marimekko’s price “includes some air,” while Stockmann’s €29.90 A+more scarf may reflect ethical shortcomings.

Stockmann’s fashion category manager Erika Ahlberg cited the scarf’s light weight as a key factor in its lower price, noting the brand aims to offer affordable products. Marimekko’s scarf weighs roughly three times as much.

Ahlberg added that brand value, marketing, exclusivity, and the cost of maintaining a retail network also contribute to pricing differences across brands.

Marimekko communications director Anna Tuominen said the company’s scarf price reflects design expertise, pattern work, material costs, technical details, and production volumes. The scarf is made from silk noil, chosen for its sharp print quality, durability, crispness, and drape.

Both scarves are manufactured in Asia—Stockmann’s in India, Marimekko’s in China. Both companies stated their partners adhere to responsibility guidelines, with compliance monitored through independent third-party audits.