Alessi is a household designer industry that was founded on 1921. Since the 80's Alessi design company brought a new era in the design of everyday stuff, such as toothbrushes graters kettles, that were designed with the notion of "high design products" particulary from a post-modern mode, from designers such as Philipe Starck, Alessandro Mendini, Richard Sapper and others. In 2004 they launched the Tea and Coffee Towers project where they invited famous architects such as Zaha Hadid, Toyo Ito, Greg Lynn, MVRDV, Jean Nouvel, UN studio, Massimiliano fuksas, and others.
The most famous products of Alessi, according to public demand and critics are the Kettle by Richard Sapper, another Kettle with a bird shaped whistle by Michael Graves, Massimo Giacon's Mr Suicide and Philippe Starcks playful three legged Juicy Salif citrus squeezer.
In 2006 the company followed a new commerical line. They reclasified their products in three lines :
A di Alessi - products with lower prices
Alessi - The main collection
Officina Alessi - The most experimental and limited edition pieces
This was the year that they opened their first New York flagship store, in SoHo. Now their flagship stores are around the world, in more than 10 different countries as well as a huge number of stores sailing their products in retail. The design of these products was what made this company special. they tried to see the objects that we all new and taken for granted, in another way. This constant questioning of what should be defined and what should be rediscovered is what led this company to the top. Here are some of the previously mentioned products, for your viewing pleasure : )
Richard Sapper's Kettle :
- Todays Cost apprx. 300 euro
Michael Grave's bird kettle :
- Todays cost apprx. 100 euro
Massimo Giacon Mr Suicide :
- Todays cost apprx. 25 euro
Philippe Starcks three legged squizer :
- Todays value apprx. 50 euro
and one of the most nice and cheap ones, one of my personal favorites the toilet brush :
- Todays cost apprx. 30 euro
