80 YEARS LATER, THE IITTALA AALTO VASE REMAINS TIMELESS AND RELEVANT

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80 YEARS LATER, THE IITTALA AALTO VASE REMAINS TIMELESS AND RELEVANT

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – What started as a sketch has now become one of the most iconic glass objects in the world. Enduring the test of time, the iittala Aalto Vase has remained a marvel in Scandinavian design. It was introduced at the World's Fair in Paris nearly 80 years ago and it immediately became an international sensation. Even today, the Aalto Vase remains a pertinent fixture in modern design; the vase earned a permanent spot in the design collection at the MoMA in New York.

"There's nothing more special than hearing our customers' personal accounts of their Aalto vases," said Chad Trent, director of marketing for FinnStyle. "Some reminisce about receiving it as a wedding gift 30 years ago and how it's still a significant part of their home decor. Others share how it makes them feel more connected to their Finnish roots."

The origin of the famous mouth-blown vase traces back to 1936 when famed Finnish architect Alvar Aalto entered his sketches into the Karhula-iittala Design Competition and won. A collection of about 10 objects were produced from the sketches and presented to the masses in 1937 at the World's Fair in Paris. The theme that year was "Art and Technology in Modern Life." Just as the vase captivated the audience nearly 80 years ago, Aalto's innovative design continues to enthrall the world as it still takes seven craftsman, 12 work stages and 30 hours to produce just one glass vase.

Its organic, free-form design is truly unique and makes for an exceptionally versatile vase to own. The Aalto vase can house fresh blooms, hors d'oeuvres and utensils. It can also function as a piece of glass art when left empty.

"For anyone that wants to steer away from the typical wedding registry for gifts or for those who want to give a memorable housewarming or Mother's Day gift, the Aalto Vase is an ideal option," said Trent. "It has proven how timeless it truly is and I think it could serve as a showpiece in any home for many years to come."

The Aalto Vase is available in multiple colors and sizes at FinnStyle.com, which offers the widest selection of modern Finnish design goods in the U.S. "Rain," a new colorway for 2014, is also now available. To learn more about the craftsmanship required to make each Aalto vase, click here.

About FinnStyle
Nestled at the edge of downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, FinnStyle specializes in offering the widest selection of high-quality, Finnish-designed merchandise in the United States. FinnStyle's one-of-kind shopping experience is aimed at widening perspectives, inspiring lifestyles and promoting creativity. Founded in 2002 by Ben Horn, FinnStyle began as a brick and mortar retailer, with the addition of the website following shortly after. Since FinnStyle's inception, the independently owned company has grown significantly year after year. Carrying 2,000 products from more than 20 Finnish brands, FinnStyle has served over 40,000 satisfied customers from nearly 100 different countries.

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