Home of Scandinavian design.
The renowned Aalto vase, that has been mouth blown in the Iittala factory since 1936, is one of the timeless icons that encompasses the living legacy of the Iittala brand.
The Iittala story What started as a glass factory in Iittala, Finland, now celebrates generations of essential objects that are made to enrich people s everyday lives. We believe objects should be distinctive, combinable and multi-functional, with lasting design that allows for individual use and expression. The progressive philosophy of our design heroes, Kaj Franck and Alvar Aalto, still inspires us to keep Iittala forever relevant. We don t just create beautiful objects. We believe in timeless design that will never be thrown away.
The design philosophy In the beginning of the 20th century dinnerware was decorated with a variety of ornaments. One of the first companies to leave that thinking, and create more progressive Scandinavian designs, was Iittala. The breakthrough came in the early years of modernism and functionalism during the 1930s and 40s. At that time it was pioneers like Alvar Aalto and Kaj Franck who led the development of the Iittala brand. Their belief was that objects should always be designed with a thought, essential and above all, available to all. It was their thinking that set the foundation for the Iittala design philosophy to push the boundaries and to give people beauty and function. The Aalto vase, the Teema pitcher and the Kartio glass are all examples of excellent design. Take the pitcher; it was first made in the 40s, to fit in the space between the outer and the inner windows of Finnish apartments, to keep milk and cream cool. Or the highly versatile and functional Kartio glass, which means cone in Finnish.
The founding fathers of the Iittala design philosophy: Kaj Franck and Alvar Aalto.
Generations of icons Bringing together the craftsmanship and the vision of designer Oiva Toikka, pieces of glass are formed into the fluid shape of Birds by Toikka. 1932 1936 1948 1952 1958 Aino Aalto Aino Aalto Alvar Aalto Collection Alvar Aalto Aarne Göran Hongell Teema Kaj Franck Kartio Kaj Franck *See further information at iittala.com 1988 1998 1999 Kivi Heikki Orvola Tools Björn Dahlström Origo Alfredo Häberli
As the leading company in Scandinavian design, Iittala strives to create icons that will last a lifetime. Starting with the progressive Aino Aalto design in 1932, following with the traditional yet functional Sarpaneva pot and Tapio Wirkkala s Ultima Thule, Iittala continues to celebrate a number of essential icons, which are still found in the assortment. Now following with Sarjaton, a series that adapts to our new eating habits, and Essence Plus that changes our behaviour when it comes to enjoying wine, Iittala delivers an uncompromising union of function, form and quality, giving people objects to be used day after day, for generations to come. 1960 1968 1972 Sarpaneva Timo Sarpaneva Ultima Thule Tapio Wirkkala Birds by Toikka Oiva Toikka 2001 2007 2010 2012 Essence Alfredo Häberli Taika Various designers* Vitriini Anu Penttinen Sarjaton Various designers* 2013 Essence Plus Alfredo Häberli
Alvar Aalto Collection Since 1936 Looking like nothing else, the Aalto vase laid the foundation for timeless design. Compared to the decorative objects of that time, the simple yet organic shape of this vase was a revolutionary statement when it arrived in 1936. Alvar Aalto had created a collection that would inspire, influence and transcend time. Simple yet rebellious, it s the shape that moves. The shape that moves.
The original wooden Aalto mould is still used when shaping certain vases of the Alvar Aalto Collection.
Teema Kaj Franck 1952 The distinct shades of the Iittala colour palette bring a harmonious feel to the table and a number of different combination possibilities.
Kartio Kaj Franck 1958 Either you make colours or you design them. The difference lies in the skill behind the creation. To design colours that are inspiring yet easy to combine this is the core of Iittala s craftsmanship. Designer Kaj Franck removed everything excessive in his designs, leaving only the essentials. The simplicity of the Kartio glass and the basic forms of the tableware Teema, captures that very thinking. Combinable and multi-functional, these designs are forever relevant. The beauty of combinability.
Ambient light Various designers* To set the mood with light comes naturally to Iittala, stemming from a place where the winter season is long. But a lit up, relaxing atmosphere enriches the everyday, anywhere. With an abundance of different votives and candle holders it is simple to create different styles and moods. Minimalistic or colourful, unconventional or classic. A wide range of colours, materials and designs lets you create your personal mood for every season and occasion of the year. Kaasa, which once was an important seamark for Finnish sailors, gave the inspiration for this focal point, reminiscent of an open fire. Set th ambia
Kastehelmi is the Finnish name for dewdrop, referring to the circles of bubbles in the pressed glass. When the light is lit, they create beautiful reflections, like dewdrops glistening in the grass. e nce. *See further information at iittala.com
Sarjaton Harri Koskinen, Aleksi Kuokka, Musuta, Samuji 2012 Shaped by tradi tailored for toda Tailor your personal range by mixing and matching textures, colours and patterns.
tion, y. Sarjaton, which means no series in Finnish, is a range of essential items that will never be thrown away. Redefining the freedom of flexibility, these parts can be used whenever for whatever, playing just as well together as by themselves. Touch the embossed glass, enjoy the soft, muted tones of the colour palette or make your own personal composition. Shaped by tradition, tailored for today, Sarjaton gives you the natural tools to create, as you like.
Tools Björn Dahlström 1998 Having the end user in mind, the Tools range is formed with the insight of professional chefs and the aesthetic of designer Björn Dahlström. Created to make the most out of your cooking, yet still be pleasing to the eye when serving, these objects break with convention of how to design kitchenware. First class materials and generous proportions make them the chef of all tools. Tools and Essence Plus let you wine and dine with products that are a result of the vision of designers and the expertise of professional chefs and sommeliers. The chef of all tools.
Essence Plus Alfredo Häberli 2013 It s a matter of character. By always pushing the boundaries, Iittala stays timeless. The Essence Plus range of wine glasses changes the way we talk about wines, by shifting focus from colour to character. This contemporary twist of a classic design adapts to the users actual lifestyle, where the interest for wine is becoming more and more popular. By enhancing the taste sensation, Iittala makes your enjoyment complete.
Taika Pattern by Klaus Haapaniemi 2007 Design by Heikki Orvola 2006 A heritage of imagination.
Ultima Thule Tapio Wirkkala 1968 At the core of Iittala lies the Finnish heritage a legacy that values style and high quality, but also inspires a lot of the designs. The Taika pattern which means magic in Finnish, moves your mind to fairytales and mythology. The fascinating and magical designs gradually reveal their details and layers of meaning to the user. The characteristic Ultima Thule got its name from a term within mythology that is used to describe a place as the furthest north. So does the surface of the Ultima Thule, originally inspired by the melting ice in Lapland. Designer Tapio Wirkkala created the surface in the 1960s after carving into a graphic mould. To perfect it, a superior glass blowing technique and a thousand hours were needed.
Vitriini Anu Penttinen 2010 Think inside the box.
These small pieces of glass encapture the Iittala vision of fusing craftsmanship with a progressive idea. The colours are clear and consistent throughout the glass a technique that requires great knowledge and precision. And the boxes give you a playful place to put things on show, exhibiting your mood or personality. Feel free to mix and match with the versatile collection of colours, materials and sizes. Feel free to think inside the box. Keep your treasures hidden in the open with designer Anu Penttinen s Vitriini.
Birds by Toikka Oiva Toikka 1972 From sand to jewels. When the timing is just right, skilled craftsmen take hold of a pipe, remove the necessary amount of molten glass and begin to twirl, lift and blow it. Sand, soda, lime and fire come together to create these little jewels of mouth-blown glass. Combining traditional glassmaking and Oiva Toikka s unique design visions, these birds are true pieces of art. Blown to life by the craftsmen at the Nuutajärvi factory in Finland, the glass birds begin to take flight. Think of each bird as an individual, just as the person who collects it.
iittala.com Explore more timeless icons. Learn more about the Iittala story, the designers and the entire collection at the renewed iittala.com. Here you can shop online at our new web store and locate our stores and retailers around the world. Become a part of Myiittala, as a member of the community you are the first to hear about our products, stores and events. Follow us on /iittala /iittalaofficial
What started as a glass factory in Iittala, Finland, now celebrates generations of essential objects that are made to enrich people s everyday lives. We believe objects should be distinctive, combinable and multi-functional, with a timeless design that will never be thrown away. iittala.com EAN 64-2850-199323-4 / 2013