Alvar Aalto remains one of Finland’s most iconic and famed architects. His works grace not only Finland but also other European cities, admired for their enduring minimalist aesthetics and Aalto’s distinctive style. In 1936, ALVAR AALTO designed a glass vase for the Karhula-Iittala design competition. Upon calling his creation the playful "Eskimo Woman's Leather Shorts," the architect won first prize, perhaps not realising this would spark the everlasting history of the vase. Even today, ALVAR AALTO vases are acclaimed for their distinctive shape, uniquely showcasing the beauty of flowers placed within. In the vase, the flowers are swept by the glass waves in various directions, with their crowns turning outward, unlike the usual upward direction. It is thought that this subtle detail is the secret to the iconic design's success.
Each object in the ALVAR AALTO collection is crafted through mouth-blown glass, requiring the expertise of seven skilled artisans and a twelve-stage production process to achieve these complex shapes.