Italian Design!

I have always been fascinated by fine design, though I haven't always been able to afford it. There is something about the shape, feel, and experience that comes from fine design that touches my soul deeply. I recently had the opportunity to do some research on Alessi, an Italian company known for unique and sometimes surprising designs for table and kitchen ware.

As usual, I was also interested in the history of the company. How did the founder decide to establish a new company? What trials, tribulations, successes and failures served to temper and strengthen the company as it grew? Questions like that always run through my mind.

One interesting bit of trivia is that the current Alessi head is Alberto Alessi inherited two distinct design styles from his grandparents and is forging them together to form the direction and spirit of modern day Alessi. On his paternal side, his grandfather was Giovani Alessi, a craftsman that took the initiative and risk to found the company back in 1921. On his maternal side, his grandfather was Alfonso Bialetti. You probably don't recognize the name, but Alfonso was the inventor, designer, and manufacturer of the popular octagonal coffee pot. All though the basic design hasn't changed since he originally designed it, it still sells more than 4 million units a year.
ALESSI | Welcome - Benvenuto
- posted by tempusmaster @ 6:54 PM