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Iittala - 140 years of design history
Nordic design, classic Scandinavian style - Iittala is synonymous with the Scandinavian home.
THE BEGINNING OF OVER 140 YEARS OF DESIGN
The origins of Iittala began to take shape as early as 1881 in the Finnish village of the same name. At the time, Iittala was a glassworks that produced blown, pressed and polished glass in continental patterns. Today, Iittala is a natural part of the Scandinavian home, whether it is through the Essence wine glasses, Kastehelmi candleholders or Teema plates, they all bring something special to our homes and our lives.
Alvar Aalto Limited Edition vase - a special edition taken from Iittala's archive to mark 140 years of design history.
It was in the 1930s, in connection with the rise of functionalism in the design world, that Iittala's great breakthrough came. With legendary designers such as Alvar Aalto, Aino Aalto and Kaj Franck at the helm, Iittala adopted a design philosophy that pushed boundaries, giving people both beauty and function. This design philosophy gave birth to the now iconic Aalto vase in 1936, as well as a series of design classics that stand for simple, functional design and solid craftsmanship.
THE CRAFTMANSHIP BEHIND YOUR IITTALA FAVOURITE
The process behind Iittala's glass objects is far from simple. The fantastic craftsmanship that takes place within Iittala's walls goes through several steps and numerous hands before this natural material becomes the design pieces that follow us through life. Your favourite design piece is heated, cast, shaped and cut before it is transformed into a vase, a glass, or a Birds by Toikka sculpture. The glass is not painted, instead the colour is mixed directly with the molten glass which is then blown and shaped by the glass blower.
Did you know that it takes seven craftsmen to make an Alvar Aalto vase?
It is a craft that requires precision and with a glance inside Iittala's almost mysterious factory, we see the well-rehearsed choreography that is needed to master a material that does not give way easily. Just one Alvar Aalto vase requires the skill of seven craftsmen and the objects produced here range between some 80-year-old favourites to new, future classics. Iittala believes that people have the right to expect their objects to last a lifetime, an ideology that is clearly visible in the timeless lines that characterize Iittala's design language.
Old becomes new - this Alvar Aalto vase is made of 100% recycled glass, which means that each vase has a unique hue.
THE NEW IITTALA
Although the classics may crowd on the shelves at Iittala, there is also a range of modern design that embraces Iittala's heritage and carries it through, carefully and innovatively into the future. Essence by Alfredo Häberli, Nappula by Matti Klenell and Raami by Jasper Morrison – all take Iittala's design philosophy further into the future.
The new Iittala celebrates their design heritage but also embraces the present - one of their flag ship collections is the Essence series, designed by Alfredo Häberli.
Essence
If Swedish Grace is Sweden’s most famous tableware collection in Scandinavia, then Essence is the most iconic glassware. One of Iittala's most beloved collections was designed in 2001 by Alfredo Häberli with the intention of creating a collection that contained as few glasses as possible. What was probably a gamble for Iittala back then, has become a collection that can be found in homes all over the world. In 2021 Iittala introduced serving dishes into this famous collection. Bearing the Essence logo, these dishes bring an extra element to this classic range.
Nappula, designed by Matti Klenell, means bud in Finnish. This stylish candlestick has moved into many homes around the world.
The Nappula series has been developed further so that it now includes a series of beautiful pots for your Scandinavian inspired home.
Nappula & Lempi
When Iittala asked about creating a candlestick that did not necessarily have to be made of glass, it was still glass that inspired Matti Klenell in the design of the Nappula series. The simple, rounded shape of Nappula is inspired by tools found in the glass studio when working with molten glass. It was the same tool that had been used to create the unique, rounded feet on a table in the glass museum in Nuutajärvi, Finland. Klenell took this form as inspiration and created the Nappula series. Nappula also means bud in Finnish.
The key to timeless design is a well thought out and high-quality piece and that has a strong character all its own. We often think of something timeless as something restrained and discreet that does not make a statement, but I think the contrary is true. It is the pieces with a strong artistic expression that have the greatest chance of living and remaining over a long period of time.
- Most important, however, is that it is of high quality and that it ages beautifully, says Klenell in an interview with us.
Matti Klenell is also the designer behind the immensely popular glass series Lempi.
- Many years ago, my father blew a glass with a large cup on a low foot, which I liked very much. It was at my parent’s home and was used both every day and for parties. One of the qualities I enjoyed the most was that you were always tempted to pour a little too much, which made our family gatherings rather lively. This generous quality was something I tried to transfer to Lempi and I think I succeeded quite well actually, says Klenell and of course we agree.
Raami is designed by Jasper Morrison and is a future Iittala classic. With its simple design Raami slots perfectly into many different homes and styles!
RAAMI
In 2019, Iittala launched a new series in collaboration with designer Jasper Morrison. Raami is a future Iittala classic. The name Raami means frame in Finnish and the series does just that, framing those occasions in your home, both small and large. The discreet design with slightly rounded edges feel inviting and secure. This elegant series brings Iittala’s legacy further into the modern home.
Kastehelmi is another beloved Iittala favorite that is an appreciated gift to receive.
IITTALA THROUGH THE GENERATIONS
Iittala’s role in Scandinavian design history is significant. During their over 140-year long history the glassworks in southern Finland has helped to shape the meaning of functional, Scandinavian design that stands the test of time. This year’s anniversary is being celebrated with a deep dive into Iittala’s archive for a collection where old and new coexist, as if to prove that good design does not have an expiration date. Iittala do not only have their own story to tell but they also play a major role in the stories we tell when a design classic is handed down and finds a new home, over and over again.
Written by: Arijana Kapic
Photo: Angeliqa Daldorph
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