Published by Phaidon, Iittala brings together the 140-year history of the legendary brand for the first under one richly illustrated cover. Founded in 1881 as a small glass workshop, Iittala has grown over the years into a world-renowned ambassador of Finnish design – and, more broadly, of Nordic esthetics – whose incomparably beautiful designs, advanced thinking and innovative manufacturing methods have not previously been documented on this scale. In many ways, Iittala's history is also linked to the political, social and cultural history of Finland as a country. More than a thousand art professionals have been interviewed for the work, from artists and researchers to gallerists, museum directors and collectors. Visually stimulating, unprecedentedly comprehensive, and endlessly fascinating, the book has been edited by architect Florencia Colombo and designer Ville Kokkonen.
Iittala is a world-renowned master of Finnish design, producing objects that are as timeless and beautiful as they are essential. Here, for the first time, products and images from different decades are brought together to document the company's growth dynamically from a small glass workshop in a remote village to one of the design world's most recognizable brands. The result: a lavishly illustrated chronicle of Iittala's fabulous designs, progressive philosophies, and unique working methods.