Saunamekko story
Born of Finnish heritage and inspired by my grandfather’s sauna in Northern Minnesota, we began building our backyard sauna in the fall of 2023. While doing so, I asked myself, “What do I want to wear in the sauna?” I’m not comfortable being naked, even to myself, and didn’t want the confines of a bathing suit or the awkwardness of a wrapped towel. To fully enjoy the health benefits of the sauna—relaxation, meditation, and rest—I needed to feel both beautiful and comfortable. I wanted something easy to put on and take off, something that could wrap around me however I chose to sit or lie on the sauna bench. This garment would enhance my self-image and eliminate distractions, marking the first step towards better physical, mental, and spiritual health.
I had a design in mind, and my partner Gary said, “You have to make this out of merino wool!” Wool in the sauna??? “YES!” Merino wool, the miracle fabric, is breathable, odorless, quick-drying, and effortlessly flows to cover all shapes and curves.
Once the idea was realized, we began conversations and saw that this “saunamekko—sauna dress” could be appreciated by many women as an alternative to the “bathing suit required” rule as they consider regular sauna use.
By February 2024, we had designed, sourced the best quality of natural, sustainable 100% merino wool fabric, partnered with an extraordinary pattern maker, and connected with a Minneapolis sewing company to manufacture “saunamekko”! Our backyard sauna now complete and in full use, we found that the sauna dress was exactly as we hoped: breathable, odorless, moisture-wicking, and beautiful, requiring minimal maintenance.
“Sauna… Hang to Dry… Repeat!”
We noticed that once we started wearing merino wool, it became our daily “go-to uniform,” and our designs continued to expand. We now offer a range of clothing to support a healthy lifestyle before, during, and after the sauna.
Saunamekko story
Committed to sharing this discovery, we booked flights and headed to Finland to immerse ourselves in the Finnish Sauna Culture and attend the World Sauna Forum in Jyväskylä. During our 2+ weeks in Finland, we visited various saunas, moving comfortably from old public saunas to architectural beauties along the Baltic Sea. We experienced smoke saunas, hotel saunas, and private residence saunas, even discovering an old family-related Ruohoniemi homestead with an intact sauna, overturned buckets on the benches.
Saunamekko story
Through our travels, we realized that “saunamekko” could open doors for broader inclusion, allowing choices for women, men, LGBTQ+, and all individuals who are not comfortable naked or in a bathing suit but seek the health benefits of the sauna ritual.
By becoming members of “Sauna from Finland,” we strive to support this remarkable organization and their mission as we participate in the education and expansion of the health benefits of regular sauna use. We commit to broadening the audience and reaching those who have shied away because they “don’t know what to wear” in the sauna!
