Press Release February 2021

Experience Nordic design and lifestyle: New Omotesando store & café opens on February 19th

As a pioneer of Nordic design, Iittala embraces the essence of Nordic living. On February 19th, Iittala will open its new Iittala Omotesando store & café in Tokyo. The new store, designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, is Iittala's first experience store. The store aims to offer visitors experiences of Nordic culture and lifestyle, which Iittala represents. The store also includes the world's first Iittala café, that offers Nordic taste experiences in both traditional and modern style.

On February 19th, 2021 the Finnish architects. Designed by renowned produced glassware by blowing and design and lifestyle brand Iittala will open architect Kengo Kuma, the space pressing, according to continental a new store and café in Omotesando, honours Iittala’s unique expertise in European models. The breakthrough for Tokyo: a destination for everyone progressive Nordic design and the Iittala came in the early years of interested in Nordic design. The store is brand’s heritage, dating back to 1881. modernism and functionalism during the located in Omotesando, in the popular 1930s and 1940s. During this time, design Aoyama area, which is known for its Thoughtful design that is made to last pioneers like Alvar and Aino Aalto and fashion and design boutiques, art Kaj Franck set the foundation to Iittala’s galleries, and restaurants. Aoyama, In 1881, in a newly established design philosophy: to push boundaries famous amongst design-oriented tourists factory located in a village called Iittala in and give people beauty and function. This and locals, is home to many distinct southern Finland, the first glass items thinking is at the base of what keeps buildings designed by world acclaimed took shape. In the early years Iittala Iittala forever relevant. Iittala doesn’t just

create beautiful objects, it believes in Iittala café modernity meets traditional Iittala’s design has been sold in Japan timeless design that will never be thrown and Nordic culture is in harmony with since the 1950’s. Today in Japan, Iittala’s away. local influences. For example, traditional designs are sold in 170 locations and Nordic delicacies such as fresh cinnamon through Iittala’s own web store. Iittala has Today, Iittala has an established place in buns can be enjoyed with a cup of coffee also collaborated with famous Japanese the landscape of internationally and traditional Finnish pastry Karelian pie brands and designers such as Issey distinguished design, and it represents is served with egg butter. Miyake since 2016 and minä perhonen the essence of Finnish design. While since 2020. glass as a material will always remain at The store will also host in the future a Iittala's core, the brand’s collection variety of inspirational events in Nordic Iittala is dedicated to the pursuit of better extends from dining to interior objects and lifestyle, such as talks, workshops and living. By choosing Iittala, you choose art, materials ranging from glass to exhibitions, where one can deep dive into thoughtful design that is made to be loved ceramics, steel, wood and textile. the Nordic culture. and used, day in and day out, for decades and generations to come. A selection of classics, novelties and The store inspires the guests to enjoy the specialties calmness of Nordic nature with its interior elements that infuse tradition with The assortment of the new Iittala innovativeness and Nordic aesthetics, Further Information: Omotesando store & café will include combining wood with new, innovative and juha.vesamaki@.com

Iittala’s iconic designs, novelties and sustainable materials. [email protected] (Japanese) specialities only available in this location. The assortment is seasonally refreshed When entering, Nordic ambiance and seasoned with a changing selection surrounds the visitor with seasonal video Images: of other high-quality Finnish design from Finnish nature and other considered [email protected] brands, curated by Iittala. The visitor will details, such as a unique lighting [email protected] (Japanese) structure, the glass parts of which are also find the Finnish and Moomin by Arabia products in the store, mouth-blown using wooden moulds at the as well as Fiskars' world-famous scissors. Iittala Glass Factory in Finland. www.iittala.com During the opening, the selection Store side includes Finnish forest inspired Iittala is a brand registered by Fiskars includes, for example, the Flycatcher wall structure and counter units made of Group. Fiskars Group’s mission is to glass bird, available exclusively from this new innovative material: SOLIDO typeE, make the everyday extraordinary. Fiskars store. The Flycatcher belongs to Iittala's which is a sustainable recycled material serves consumers and customers around beloved Birds by Toikka collection, made partly of coffee beans. the world with globally recognized brands designed by the legendary Finnish artist The Japanese Chidori, used inside the including Fiskars, Iittala, Arabia, Royal and designer . Iittala will also café, expresses respect for local Copenhagen, and Waterford. launch a new colour, linen, to the famous traditional crafts and nature. On product Please visit www.fiskarsgroup.com for Teema tableware collection this year displays Iittala collaborated with students more information. exclusively in Japan, and it will first be of the Finnish Aalto University to create available from the new store. eye-catching and sustainable platforms using innovative materials such as waste The assortment will also include all Store address: Iittala's novelties for this year: for glass from Iittala factory, pulp, pigments, example, the Essence serving collection gypsum and cellulose (MCC) called Iittala Omotesando store & café designed by Alfredo Häberli, a new art AaltoCell. Jingumae 5-46-7GEMS Aoyama Cross 1 glass sculpture series Kartta by Finnish artist Santtu Mustonen and a limited, Shibuya-ku numbered edition of a rare archive shape Tokyo 150-0001 of the icon of Finnish design, the Aalto Tel: 03-5774-0051 vase by Alvar Aalto. Also, Iittala's E-mail: [email protected] innovative collection of 100 % recycled Opening times:11:00－20:00 glass items will be available in the new store. www.iittala.jp/ Nordic experiences and aesthetics facebook.com/iittalajapan Instagram.com/iittala_japan There will be a café in the store, where the visitor can take a moment to enjoy authentic Nordic taste and lifestyle experiences. The café menu is built on flavours and dishes inspired by Nordic food culture that’s characterized by simplicity and a respect for ingredients. In