Eskolin-Nurmesniemi studied ceramics at the Institute of Industrial Arts (in Finnish:
Taideteollinen oppilaitos) in Helsinki, Finland. After graduating, she designed glassware and
ceramics for
Arabia and Nuutajärvi. In 1957, she received a gold medal at the
Milan Triennial XI for her
glassware. She joined the Finnish company
Marimekko in 1953. She designed
patterns for many of their printed
fabrics in the 1950s; together with
Maija Isola, she was responsible for most of Marimekko's patterns. Nurmesniemi's signature product was a simply striped red and white shirt named
Jokapoika, in 1956; she went on to create a large number of striking designs. Nurmesniemi left Marimekko in 1960 due to conflicts with Marimekko founder
Armi Ratia. She founded her own company, Vuokko Oy, in 1964, and designed textiles as well as ready-to-wear clothing and accessories. She received the Milan Triennale XI in 1957 and
Milan Triennial XIII grand prix in 1964, the
Lunning Prize for design in 1964, the
Prince Eugen Medal in 1986, and the
Kaj Franck Design Prize in 1997. Nurmesniemi was married to designer
Antti Nurmesniemi until his death in 2003. Vuokko Nurmesniemi died on 19 April 2026, at the age of 96. ==Museums and exhibitions==