Aino Aalto, wife of esteemed architect and glass designer Alvar Aalto, won the 1932 iittala-Karhula design competition in Finland and the gold prize at the Milan Triennale in 1936 for her functionalist glassware collection. Aino Aalto's namesake design is iittala's oldest product and stands for the epitome of mindful design.

Aino Aalto's glassware and dinnerware are the first glass products intentionally designed with everyday use in mind, yet adaptable for modern production methods. Developed in the true spirit of functionalism, Aino Aalto's glassware is so simple and timeless in form it is no surprise it still graces tables around the world 70 years later.

Finnish design has a long history and is know for simplicity, functionality, and craftsmanship. It's trademark designs emerged in the early 20th century, and gained international attention through pioneers like Alvar Aalto in architecture and furniture, as well as companies such as Iittala, Artek, and Marimekko. Their work emphasized clean lines, natural materials, and a harmonious balance between beauty and practicality. Everything must have a purpose. Iconic products like the Aalto vase, Artek’s Stool 60, and Marimekko’s bold textile patterns established Finland as a leader in modernist design. Over the next century, Finnish design became synonymous with high quality, technical skill, and timeless aesthetics—qualities that have earned it global recognition, particularly during the postwar years when Nordic design was celebrated worldwide, and still is. Today, Finnish products continue to enjoy international respect, not only for their aesthetic value but also for their reputation of reliability, thoughtful construction, and cultural authenticity.