Saimaa ringed seal in swimwear: where did the flagship print come from and why is it important

How the Norppa print was born

When Reetta sat down to design the first Saimaa Sealskin print, inspiration wasn't long in coming.

The Saimaa ringed seal (norppa) was a logical choice, but that doesn't mean it was an easy one to implement. Patterned swim shorts are easy to fill with generic tropical foliage or palm trees. An animal print on swim shorts only works if it's done properly. Reetta wanted to do it right from the start:

As a designer, I am fascinated by the visual softness of the Saimaa ringed seal and the interesting, organic shape of its fur. While designing the print, my mind wandered to the summer cliffs and dark waters of Lake Saimaa. Seeing a Saimaa ringed seal in nature is a rare moment, and I feel it is associated with a strong experience of time standing still. Our Norppa print combines the image of Saimaa and the ability to pause in the present moment, and it is also a tribute to our clean waters and their unique inhabitant.

The result was the Norppa print: a classic right from the start.

Why the Saimaa ringed seal suits this brand

Saimaa Sealskin is a Finnish, handcrafted men's swimwear brand that uses Italian recycled fabric. We don't do dropshipping or mass production. The idea was born from not being able to find swim shorts that were both high-quality enough and fun-looking.

The Saimaa ringed seal fits this story for three reasons.

Firstly, Finnishness. The Saimaa ringed seal is unique. It doesn't live anywhere else. We don't manufacture anywhere else either.

Secondly, rarity. The Saimaa ringed seal is not a mass animal. Saimaa Sealskin is not a mass brand. Small batches, carefully made. The same logic.

Thirdly, responsibility guides everything we do. Recycled fabrics, craftsmanship, and carefully planned, small production volumes make each product unique. That's why our symbol also tells the same story – about the fragility of nature and its beauty, which deserves to be protected.

The Saimaa ringed seal is not just a mascot for us. It is a reminder of why all this should be done right.

What you do when you buy Norppa swim shorts

You don't save the Saimaa ringed seal or nature by buying swim shorts.

But you do a few things that matter. You support Finnish craftsmanship, which employs people, not cheap mass production. You wear a print that reminds people of an existing species. And you buy a product whose value chain considers more than just profit margins.

Norppa swim shorts are our patterned swim shorts model that has been with us from the beginning. Read more about where it all started, from the story of our brand.

Norppa is our flagship for a reason

This article was not created because the Saimaa ringed seal is a trending topic. It was created because the Norppa print is the moment where the brand idea and visual identity met for the first time.

The Saimaa ringed seal on swim shorts is not a marketing trick. It is part of why Saimaa Sealskin exists in the first place. Get to know the model here and you'll understand what we're talking about.