As creative professionals and mothers living an active lifestyle, we have a lot to carry and transport. From notebooks and nappies to laptops, groceries and extra pairs of shoes, we appreciate bags and accessories that keep everything in order, at hand and adapt to the needs of the hour. The minimalist aesthetics of our products together with their ability to adapt and serve in everyday life make them silent but steady companions that step up when needed to make our lives more structured and enjoyable.
With Thinkers and Makers, we wanted to create something that reflects who we are and what we believe in. We are a sustainable fashion brand operating with environmental and social integrity, from the heart.
MEET OUR FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
"To simplify your choices, I compose appealing design worth caring for.
Products from generation to generation."
Already at Elementary school, one of my friends said that I had a way of thinking outside the box. Since graduating from the Aalto University School of Arts in 2011, I have ran my own Design Studio in Joensuu, Finland. The Studio sells my internationally awarded Glass Collection throughout the world and also offers a variety of creative services to other companies.
During recent years, my own concerns for the environment have increasingly influenced my work. I started to design the cork collection in 2016, driven by the will to use my creativity to create something meaningful and valuable.
After five years of experimenting with cork, I have become convinced not only by its properties, but the possibilities to create sustainable products while respecting the environment.
After work I cook vegetarian food for my bonus family of five and take solo singing lessons. You can also find me looking for treasures at flea markets.
Read the Story behind Cork.
MEET OUR COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Ammeri Kankaisto
Developing and managing high quality customer experiences has been a focus throughout my career. I value design that brings subtle beauty to the everyday; items with grace and meaning. I want to promote sustainable, timeless design that is chosen with care, not on impulse. For me, luxury doesn’t mean over-indulgence, but rather an experience of harmony and gratitude created by natural materials, clean aesthetics, memories and stories that an item can tell – living true to my values.
l have a long international work history with both small independent designers as well as big fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton. In my MBA studies I focused on business and brand development. In addition I have a Bachelor degree in Fine Arts and a diploma in leadership from the University of Cork in Ireland.
My experience with high-end brands, continuous interest to strive for excellence as well as my good nose for identifying potential and opportunities have helped me to understand the expectations of even the most demanding customers and how a company can meet them.
In my free time I spend time with my daughter and dream of a good night sleep. Sometimes I pick up a paint brush, lose track of time in my kitchen or enjoy life on my yoga mat.
OUR VALUES
We at Thinkers & Makers live and work based on our values. Respect for the environment and for everyone involved in the process – we operate with integrity.
Natural, minimalist aesthetics, sensitivity to see beauty in the everyday and our willingness to act for what is important to us, create the foundation on which we stand. We want to make durable products that are worth repairing and caring for.
We want to inspire people around the world to make more conscious choices when selecting these everyday essentials.
Not only do we wish to minimize the impact our actions have on the environment, we chose cork because working with this natural raw material actually has positive impacts on the environment!
Caring for and looking after the natural world, other human beings, animals, as well as the things we own, underpins everything we do.
We believe that when we work together, change is possible. To create real change, we need action, conscious choices to care for our planet and to support biodiversity. This is why we create essential products that make these choices easier.
These values are at the core of everything we do, from product development, manufacture and services to the way we run the business overall. By putting our values into action, we can provide our customers with sustainable and ecological alternatives to mass-produced goods without ever compromising on style or quality.
Read more about our Environmental Commitment and Responsibility.