IITTALA ICONS

Some designs don’t follow trends — they define them. Iittala Icons brings together the collections that have shaped our design language for generations. Since opening our glass factory in Finland in 1881, craftsmanship has been at the heart of everything we do, from the steady rhythm of the furnace to the vibrant colours of glass. Created by visionary designers and made to last, these iconic pieces continue to evolve while staying true to their origins.

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Aalto: Form Without Limits

Designed by Alvar Aalto and first introduced in 1936, the Aalto collection redefined what a glass object could be. Rather than assigning a fixed purpose, Aalto left the interpretation open — allowing the form to speak for itself and the user to decide how it should be used. Inspired by the organic shapes of the Finnish landscape, the flowing silhouette has become one of the most recognisable in design history. To this day, every Aalto vase is mouth-blown at the Iittala Glass Factory in Finland, preserving the craftsmanship behind the form.

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Teema: The Power of Simplicity

Designed by Kaj Franck and first launched in the 1950s, Teema is one of the clearest expressions of Iittala’s design philosophy. Built on essential geometric forms — the circle, square and rectangle — the collection strips away the unnecessary to focus on function, proportion and everyday use. Franck envisioned Teema as a flexible system rather than a fixed set: pieces meant to be mixed, matched and adapted over time. Decades later, Teema remains relevant precisely because it leaves room for life, change and personal expression.

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Essence: Less, Perfected

Designed by Alfredo Häberli and launched in 2001, Essence was created around a radical idea: fewer glasses, better wine. Häberli set out to design a collection that could serve a full range of fine wines using as few forms as possible, believing that simplicity enhances the tasting experience. The result is modern, minimal glassware with a thin lip — rare in lead-free glass — and identical stems and bases that create a sense of visual balance. Sensually pleasing to hold, Essence is as thoughtful as it is refined, and among the most acclaimed glassware collections in the world.

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Kastehelmi: Poetry in Glass

Designed by Oiva Toikka in 1964, Kastehelmi takes its name from the Finnish word for “dewdrop.” Inspired by morning light catching droplets like a string of pearls, the collection is defined by rings of delicate glass bubbles pressed into each piece. What began as a clever solution to hide joint marks in production became a defining design language. Made at the Iittala Glass Factory in Finland, Kastehelmi enhances the optical quality of glass, creating depth, texture and light play that has made it a beloved icon for over fifty years.

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