iittala create magazine

Create.

AmsterdamAntwerpBerlinHelsinkiLondonStockholm

AmsterdamIlkka SuppanenAntwerpKlaus HaapaniemiMia WalleniusBerlinAlfredo HäberliHelsinkiMinna ParikkaLondonFredriksonStallardStockholmSofia Ronthén

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Published byGrow Östermalmsgatan 26a114 26 StockholmSwedenwww.grow.eu

This magazine is Created as a tribute to the creative spirit generated by the people behind the Iittala brand – keeping the philosophy of Kaj Franck alive.

Special thanks to.Susanna Grönblom Tuija Aalto-Setälä Lotta Eskolin Minna Saari Annukka Salonen Piia Puhakka Juha Vesamäki Kati Kyllönen Katarina Lindroos Sara Davidsson-Nyman Sophie Giescke Linné Jenny Conradsen Städe Maaike Brink Amarens van der Meulen Taija Glas Otto Freijser Liana van Dijk David Peters Jodi Mullen

Editor-in-chiefVanessa Gandy

Creative DirectorAnders Nord

CopywriterSabrina Shim

Graphic DesignHanna Alm

Film DirectorGregory Brown

Web Art DirectorSami Haikonen

Production ManagerFredrika Östgren

Portrait PhotographyPierre Björkwww.pierrebjork.com

Still life PhotographyDaniel Lindhwww.daniellindh.com

Photo from Alfredo Häberli´s office by: Isabel Trunigerwww.i-t.ch

StylistJoanna Lavénwww.joannalaven.se

The roots of Iittala date back to 1881, when a glass factory was es-tablished in a village of the same name in southern Finland. Their breakthrough came during the 1920s and 1930s with the revolution-ary designs of glassware by Aino Aalto (1894-1949) and the Savoy vase by Alvar Aalto (1898-1976). Today, Iittala is based in Helsinki and much more than glass. They offer design objects with heritage, quality and craftsmanship that are iconic, combinable and multi-functional.

Along with the Aaltos, Kaj Franck (1911-1989) is another radical hero for Iittala. Adopting his belief that all objects should be designed to be combined—in style, colour and form—Iittala objects comple-ment one another, allowing you to mix and match freely. These combinations simultaneously express your individuality and en-courage you to Create.

Contrary to popular belief, the ability to Create is not a gift, but a frame of mind. So when Iittala invited known creatives to express themselves and unleash their imagination by combining Iittala ob-jects and life, the aim was to understand the nature of creativity and inspire others to make those kinds of journeys in everyday life.

Eight people were invited to represent six European cities, each a creative hotbed in their own right. They were chosen for their di-verse backgrounds, as well as the different ways they express themselves. Given the task of creating a personal combination and a special window installation for the Iittala store in the city they rep-resent, the eight creatives thought hard, made sketches and then met up in Helsinki to share their ideas. There was a visit to the Iittala factory, where they made their own mouth-blown glass vases and a raucous dinner together at Havis, a restaurant in Helsinki.

Having explored Franck’s “designed to be combined”, this is a working document for Create. We have gone behind the scenes and followed the creative process of each person. Follow their voy-age on these pages, see the window installations in person or on the web, be inspired by the combinations you see and challenge yourself to be creative by choice, not just by trade. As Alvar Aalto once said, “The end user decides the use.” The decision is yours.

Create.

Amsterdam, Antwerp, Berlin, Helsinki, London and Stockholm.26 February-9 April 2009.

To view film interviews and see the window installations, go to iittala.com.

Create.

AmsterdamIlkka Suppanen


Ilkka Suppanen studied both architecture and Interior and Furniture Design in Helsinki. In 1995, he founded Studio Suppanen, offering strategic design in interior, product and concept design, along with architecture. One of the best-known contemporary Finnish designers, Ilkka has won a number of awards, while his work has been exhibited worldwide and belongs to several museums, including the Stedelijk Musem in Amsterdam.

Q&AAmsterdamIlkka Suppanen

My name is:Ilkka Suppanen

I am currently living in:Helsinki

I was born in:Kotka (I have never visited the city since)

My current occupation is:Designer

If I could describe myself in three words, they would be: Tender, demanding and willing

I like:Women, fast cars, the sea, food, wine, quietness

I dislike: Lies, dishonesty

My favourite colours are:Not one, many… and they change

The living persons I most admire are: Oscar Niemayer, Martti Antisaari

I love the smell of:Women, wine

The talent I would most like to have is: I would like to write

I never leave home without: Clothes, keys

If I could live anywhere else in the world, it would be: Italy or California

My most treasured possession is:My photographs

My favourite writer is:Mikhail Shokolov, Kari Hotakainen

My favourite artists are:Robert Rauschenberg, Richard Konig, Richard Serra

I feel at peace when:I am alone or next to the sea

I’d be nothing without:My memories

RightIlkka taking a moment at the Iittala showroom in Helsinki.

AmsterdamIlkka Suppanen

LeftIlkka enjoying the banter around the dinnner table.s

RightCatch a glimpse of Ilkka’s sketches and presentation.

LeftIlkka in conversation with one of the crafts-men at the Iittala factory (above) and with Alfredo- at the Iittala showroom (below).

RightSketches of the “family tree”.

With the structure of a family tree in mind, Ilkka journeyed through the Iittala collection for Create and discovered several imaginary relation-ships with their inspirational offspring. For example, the marriage of an ultramarine blue Kartio and the Red Cardinal by Toikka would result in Taika bowls. Weaving in precious items from memories of his own travels—saffron from Jordan and sand from Stromboli—Ilkka has Created a truly personal combination for Iittala.

Family 05

Verna wine glass 22 clclear1 pcs

Teemamug 0.3 Lblack1 pcs

Hotcooltea 34 clblack1 pcs

Bottnamug 0.3 L1 pcs

Vigna birdCircoli small 190x80black1 pcs

Ultima Thuleice-lip pitcher150 cl1 pcs

Ultima ThuleCocktail 16 cl1 pcs

Aarned.o.f. 32 cl1 pcs

Maribowl155 mmMatt frosted1 pcs


AntwerpKlaus HaapaniemiMia Wallenius

Klaus Haapaniemi is an internationally recognised artist who has created prints for fashion labels such as Cacharel and Levi’s, textiles for Marimekko and Christmas windows at Selfridges. Mia Wallenius is an art director for Gucci. Both Finnish-born, the couple currently live in London, but are inspired by the fascinating cities they travel to and the magic of imagination.

Q&AAntwerpKlaus HaapaniemiMia Wallenius

My name is:Mia Wallenius

I am currently living in:London

I was born in: Helsinki

My current occupation is:Art Director

I like:Sweets, clothes, shoes, cinema, cookbooks

I dislike: Handbags

My favourite colours are:Plum, true blue

The living persons I most admire are: Not particularly anyone, but people who are strong, independent, kind and inspired

The words or phrases I most overuse are: Sh*t, awesome, modern, great!

I love the smell of: Cat’s fur

The talent I would most like to have is: Good memory

I never leave home without: Headphones, lipstick

If I could live anywhere else in the world, it would be: Big Sur, California

My most treasured possession is: My toy collectionMy favourite writer is:Milan Kundera

My favourite artists are:Vermeer, van Dyck

I feel at peace when:I’m doing nothing

I’d be nothing without:Klaus

My name is:Klaus Haapaniemi


I was born in: Helsinki

My current occupation is:Artist

I like: Baltic Herrings, Friday Night Project (TV show)

I dislike: Yoga, Big Brother, News programmes

My favourite colours are:No favourites, I like them all

The words or phrases I most overuse are: “Big Momma’s House”, “Dude!” and “…excellent.”

I love the smell of:Train tracks, shoe polish, gasoline, lilacs

The talent I would most like to have is: Cooking skills

I never leave home without: Keys, mobile, wallet, umbrella

If I could live anywhere else in the world, it would be: Moscow, Vladivostok, Boston, Murmansk, Vienna, Mexico City, Ibiza

My favourite writer is:Rosa Liksom

My favourite artists are:Roger Federer, Right Says Fred, Heston Blumenthal

I feel at peace when:Republicans lost the US elections

I’d be nothing without:Credit cards

RightKlaus and Mia were both born in Helsinki, but now live in London.

Left and RightDetail of Taika by Klaus.

AntwerpKlaus HaapaniemiMia Wallenius

“Lasting design means objects are like collector’s items.”

LeftSketch of an element from the window installation in Antwerp.

Right Details of Klaus and Mia’s collection of Russian toys with Taika and Aino Aalto.

An instant classic when introduced in 2007, Taika is the creation of Klaus for Iittala. The newest edition to the collection, graphic black and white Taika provides the perfect backdrop to Klaus and Mia’s personal collection of colourful Russian toys. The couple’s playful style is combined with the strong and bold design of Aino Aalto plates and bowls they both admire.

BerlinAlfredo Häberli


Alfredo Häberli was born in Argentina, but moved to Swizterland as a teenager. Based in Zurich and an internationally recognised designer, his work unites tradition with innovation, along with playfulness and energy. Alfredo has worked with companies such as Alias, Camper, Kvadrat and Volvo, his designs have been exhibited around the world and he has won many awards.

Q&ABerlinAlfredo Häberli

My name is: Alfredo Häberli

I am currently living in:Zürich

I was born in:Buenos Aires

My current occupation is:Industrial Designer

If I could describe myself in three words, they would be: Humour, honest, passionate

I like: People

I dislike: Arrogance, lies

My favourite colour is:Turquoise blue

The living persons I most admire are: My children, my parents, Jasper Morrison, Konstantin Grcic

The words or phrases I most overuse are: Design

I love the smell of:Coffee, Asado (Argentinian meat), red wine

I never leave home without: Keys, money and handkerchief

If I could live anywhere else in the world, it would be: Capri or Tuscany

My most treasured possession is: Shiro Kuramata vases, my 35 metres of books

My favourite writer is:Pablo Neruda

My favourite artist is:Alexander Calder

I feel at peace when:I am sketching and searching for ideas

I’d be nothing without:My wife and my parents

RightAlfredo telling a story.

BerlinAlfedo Häberli

LeftOutside of the Iittala factory, in the village of Iittala, north of Helsinki.

RightAlfredo at the Iittala showroom and then looking on at the Iittala factory as Kartio glasses go through quality control.

Left and RightAlfredo playing around in his studio, combining Origo and Tris with personal items.

One of Iittala’s most established designers, Alfredo wanted to cele-brate not only the 10th anniversary of Origo with a new pattern, but also some of his favourite Iittala objects of the last decade. Inspired by strong colours and a sense of fun, Alfredo’s combination includes some of his own objects—eye-catching Origo, stackable Tris and stat-uesque Essence—along with a graceful Colletive tools spoon and a cheerful Bird by Penttinen.

BerlinAlfedo Häberli

LeftEssence wine glasses and Origo egg cups with their distinctive coloured centres.

RightAlfredo’s Essence carafe.

“Being a designer is like a big present every day.”

HelsinkiMinna Parikka


Born and raised in Helsinki, Minna Parikka is an up-and-coming shoe designer. Trained in London, Minna started designing her own shoes at the age of 15 and launched her own label in 2005. Her shoes are now found in ten countries across four continents. Taking her Nordic roots and love for fashion of past eras, Minna has created a distinctive and seductive style with tassels, bows, hearts and buckles.

Q&AHelsinkiMinna Parikka

My name is:Minna Parikka

I am currently living in:Helsinki

I was born in:Helsinki

My current occupation is:Footwear Designer for Minna Parikka shoes

If I could describe myself in three words, they would be: Perfectionist, passionate, positive

I like: City lights in the dawn on a warm summer night

I dislike: Rudeness

My favourite colours are:All shades of red and pink. In general, I like bright colours.

The living persons I most admire are: Anyone who dares to follow their dream

The words or phrases I most overuse are: Lovely, amazing and really

I love the smell of: Mint

The talent I would most like to have is: Acrobatics

I never leave home without: Lipstick

If I could live anywhere else in the world, it would be: London or the Caribbean

My most treasured possession is: My grandmother’s locket

My favourite artist is:Roisin Murphy (singer)

I feel at peace when:Things are moving forward

I’d be nothing without:The people who love me

RightMinna takes a bite out of a chocolate truffle after dinner.

LeftMinna at Havis and earlier in the day, at the Iittala showroom with Patrik and Ian talking about their creative process. (Below) Sofia and Minna on a coffee break.

RightMinna creating her own mouth-blown glass at the Iittala factory.

Remembering the first gift she ever gave her mother that wasn’t hand-drawn or made, Maribowl became the focal point of Minna’s personal combination for Iittala. Choosing colours such as pink, grey and the new purple, Minna wanted to create a world that mirrored her glam-orous shoe designs. Combining the Maribowl with Kivis, Ote, black Teema and the new black & white Taika, the effect is remarkably femi-nine and beautiful.

HelsinkiMinna Parikka

Left and RightSketches and images of Minna’s window design showcasing her glamorous shoes.

“My own personal style is very much taken from the 30s and 40s, but I do like modern day design, as well. I like to combine them both.”

LondonFredriksonStallard


FredriksonStallard began their collaboration in 1995 as students at Central Saint Martins. Based in London, Swedish-born Patrik Fredrikson and British-born Ian Stallard have since become internationally renowned designers and leading exponents of British Avant-Garde Design. Officially launching their practice in 2002, they have exhibited all around the world, won numerous awards and received commissions from Swarovski, Chanel and Veuve Clicquot.

Q&ALondonFredriksonStallard

My name is:Patrik Fredrikson


I was born in:Sweden


If I could describe myself in three words, they would be: Earth, wind and fire

I like: Red wine

I dislike: Whiskey

The living person I most admire is: Ian (my partner)

The words or phrases I most overuse are: “…really.”

I love the smell of: Coffee

The talent I would most like to have is: Patience

I never leave home without: Shoes

If I could live anywhere else in the world, it would be: New York

My most treasured possession is: My mind

My favourite writer is:JG Baccard

My favourite artists are:Paul McCarthy and John Chamberlain

I feel at peace when:I’m under water

I’d be nothing without:My mother

My name is:Ian Stallard


I was born in:England


If I could describe myself in three words, they would be: I can’t decide

I like: Heavy rain when I was planning on staying in

I dislike: Attitude

My favourite colours are:Absolutely all of them, though the emphasis shifts. Today, I saw a great dusty pink.

The living person I most admire is: Patrik

The words or phrases I most overuse are: “Don’t know”

I love the smell of: Moss

The talent I would most like to have is: Play the violin or banjo

I never leave home without: Keys

If I could live anywhere else in the world, it would be: New York

My most treasured possession is: A photo of my great great uncle with the hole from the bullet that killed him through it.

My favourite writers are:George Orwell and Roald Dahl

My favourite artist is:Alexander Calder

I feel at peace when:Sleeping in the back of a car on a long motorway journey

I’d be nothing without:Patrik

RightPatrik and Ian sharing their ideas with the other creatives at the Iittala head office.


LeftPatrik and Ian reveling at Havis and earlier at the factory.

RightA quiet moment at the Iittala factory with Patrik and Ian looking out at shards of coloured glass that will later be used in asphalt.

Left and RightPatrik and Ian at their studio in London, exploring materials to combine with their chosen Iittala objects.

Committed to honestly representing materials and forms, Fredrikson Stallard have Created with Iittala a combination exploring the contrasts between personal objects and Iittala’s essential design. Oxidized metal echoes the ingredients that make up Kartio’s glass in moss green and grey. Ceramic casts of anatomical animal hearts meet white and olive green Teema. Burnt polyurethane sits against a towering Aalto vase, while a Victorian silver tray that belonged to Ian’s mother plays against modern lines.


LeftDetails of the ceramic studies of animal hearts and rusty steel.

RightDetail of Patrik and Ian’s combination with Kartio, Teema, rusty steel and the silver tray.

“Modern pieces don’t have to live in a modernist bubble.”

StockholmSofia Ronthén


My name is:Sofia Ronthén

I am currently living in:Stockholm

I was born in:Uddevalla

My current occupation is:Stylist

If I could describe myself in three words, they would be: Happy, determined and restless

I like: Champagne, early mornings, kisses and going fast in car and boats

I dislike:Laziness and when people stop being curious

My favourite colours are:Blue, green, pink…oh God I like all colours

The living persons I most admire are:My best friends and Richard Branson

The words or phrases I most overuse are:“It’s fantastic” and “It’s lovely”

I love the smell of:Lavender and amber

Sofia Ronthén is a stylist based in Stockholm. As a fashion student at Beckmans, she became an assistant to a fashion editor at Swedish Elle and even before graduating, a highly sought after stylist in her own right. Today, Sofia’s long list of clients includes Gant, Volvo, Ikea, Nokia and Mitsubishi. She is also a frequent contributor to Elle and an accomplished windowdresser. Focused and motivated, Sofia is as cerebral as she is passionate about style.

Q&ASofia RonthénStockholm

The talent I would most like to have is: To make my money grow, not disappear so fast and to be a mathematician

I never leave home without: My watch

If I could live anywhere else in the world, it would be: London

My favourite writer is:Barbro Lindgren

My favourite artists are:Linn Fernström, Olle Baertling, Jacob Dahlgren

I feel at peace when:I have my morning coffee at my favourite café.

I’d be nothing without:Big laughs

RightSofia and Alfredo smile for the camera.

StockholmSofia Ronthén

LeftSofia listens to an amusing story while at dinner.

RightSofia in conversation with Alfredo and Ilkka at the Iittala showroom, along with her sketch for the Stockholm window installation.

“When you do it your way, you can combine anything.”

Left and RightDetails of Sofia’s combination.

For Create, Sofia was inspired by fantasy and fairytales. She imagined a world in which an abandoned house welcomes its new inhabitants of overgrown plants and inquisitive birds. To complement her vision, she selected Kartio in the new apple green colour, Birds by Penttinen and Owls by Toikka. Then she added white and olive Teema to her combi-nation. As a final touch, pink flowers in bloom can be found throughout Sofia’s creation.

Ilkka Suppanen´s combination

Kartio glass 40 cl ultramarine blueRed Cardinal 130x200 mmTaika bowl 0.6 L black, blue and white

Taika plate 22 cm blackTaika plate 30 cm blackAino Aalto plate 175 mm clearAino Aalto bowl 20 cl clearAino Aalto bowl 35 cl clear

I’m all bananas bird 145 x 170 mmEssence carafe 100 cl turquoiseEssence sweet wine 15 cl clearOrigo cup 0.05 L Origo mixOrigo mug 0.25 L Origo mixOrigo bowl 0.25 L Origo mixCollective tools serving spoon 24 cm

Alfredo Häberli´s combination

Klaus HaapaniemiMia Walleniuscombination


Sofia Ronthén´s combination

Minna Parikka´s combination

FredriksonStallard´s combination

Kivi 60 mm purple, grey and pinkMaribowl 120 mm purpleTaika bowl 0.6 L blackTeema plate 21 cm blackOte wine glass 29 cl greyTaika napkins

Aalto vase 400 mm clearKartio glass 40 cl grey and moss greenKartio glass 21 cl moss greenTeema plate 26 cm whiteTeema bowl 15 cm olive green and white

Snowball 145x170 mm Cottoncandy 120x193 mmBarn Owl 155x100 mmLittle Barn Owl 155x100 mmKartio glass 40 cl apple greenKartio glass 21 cl clear and apple greenTeema mug 0.3 L olive greenTeema bowl 15 cm olive greenTeema bowl 21 cm white

“The end user decides the use.”

Alvar Aalto(February 3, 1898 — May 11, 1976)

“The end user decides the use.”

Amsterdam Antwerp Berlin Helsinki London Stockholm

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