# Gridlocked Fashion Frocks Mika Piiraine Designs a Simple Dress Using Thick Criss-Crossed Lines By Deborah Kim | Published 2011-07-19 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mika-piiraine References: [juliaritson.wordpress](http://juliaritson.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/marimekko-and-prada-work-the-grid/) & [marimekko](http://www.marimekko.com/products/clothes/women/dresses-and-skirts/reaali-dress-910) Mika Piirainen, the head designer for Finnish fashion line [Marimekko](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sabine-finkenauer), has designed this gridlocked fashion frock that's sure to please many fashionistas. The simple design brings the wearer back to a simpler time. This dress is very reminiscent of dresses from the 1960s, proving that some styles just don't ever go out of season. Marimekko has designed three dresses -- the Graaffi dress, the Ruddukko dress and the Reaali dress. Although the names of the dresses are hard to pronounce, that may be the most complicated thing about the dress. [Prada](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dimensions-eyeshadow-palette) has also released a similar dress in its Resort 2012 line, proving that these framework frocks are here to stay. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 41% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Hip Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/hipfashion) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Timeless Dress Design:** There is an opportunity for designers to create simple dresses with a retro aesthetic that never go out of style. - **Framework Frocks:** The use of criss-crossed lines in dress design presents a disruptive innovation for the fashion industry, providing a unique and visually appealing look. - **Resort 2012 Fashion:** The release of similar dresses by different fashion brands indicates a trend towards the adoption of gridlocked fashion frocks in resort collections, creating opportunities for designers and retailers in the resort wear market. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion Design:** Fashion designers can incorporate gridlocked patterns and retro aesthetics into their dress designs to cater to consumers' timeless fashion preferences. - **Retail:** Retailers can capitalize on the popularity of framework frocks by offering a wide selection of gridlocked dresses, appealing to fashion-forward consumers. - **Resort Wear:** The adoption of gridlocked fashion frocks in resort collections presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the resort wear industry to offer unique and trend-setting clothing options to travelers and vacationers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Elegant Easy-to-Wear Shirt Dresses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-shirt-dress-collection.md) - [Statement-Making Fall Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/auteur-studios-fall-2025.md) - [Peace-Resembling Dress Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peace-dress.md) - [Vibrantly Artful Graphic Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sabine-finkenauer.md) - [Joyfully Patterned Collaborative Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crocs-and-marimekko.md) - [Spring Fashion Blooms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reformation-spring-2025.md) - [Sophisticated Tie-Belt Dresses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiebelt-shirt-dres.md) - [Ornate Bullion Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uniqlo-x-marimekko-2024-new-years-collection.md) - [Gingham-Forward Apparel Edits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maison-amorys-gingham-edit.md)