Dive Brief:

• Banana Republic announced a partnership with Finnish textile design company Marimekko on dresses, separates, accessories, and shoes for summer that will be in stores and online in May.

• Items will range in price from $39.40 to $149 and will be a limited-edition collection.

• Marimekko was founded in 1951 and has maintained a certain type of pop and whimsy in its designs despite working with a wide range of many designers who come up with many different approaches to the Marimekko style. In the past, Crate and Barrel has also partnered with the textile maker.

Dive Insight:

Marimekko has a bright, whimsical Euro-style that has had a cult following since Jackie Kennedy wore its sundresses during John F. Kennedy’s first presidential campaign and as First Lady. The move by Banana Republic, which may be known best for its traditional American khaki pants and usually low-key prints (when it features prints at all), has a powerful wow factor that shakes up the ever-escalating retailer-designer collaboration game.