Iittala - The craftsmanship behind the success
Many of us recognise the Alvar Aalto designed wavy vase by Iittala – a surefire classic in glass with an iconic design. We have seen it as fruit bowls, flower vases, and candle-holders. But not many know the enormous amount of craftsmanship that making this Finnish treasure requires. We had the opportunity to visit the Iittala factory and see all 17 manufacturing steps, from sand to complete product.
Iittala – the charming little village that became world famous
The small factory community of Iittala is just outside of Helsinki, easily missed when speeding along on the big motorway. But gaze further through the dancing green birches and you will see a large, beautiful white building. The towering, world-famous logo will make sure any visitor immediately knows that this is one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Finland.
This factory has produced glasswares for Iittala since 1881, and the noble craftsmanship is ever present despite modernisation. There is pride deeply anchored in these walls.