ALESSI
KEY ALESSI RANGES :
*NEW SPRING SUMMER 2008*
*BLOW UP* Bowls, Mirror, Clock, Table, Umbrella Stand etc...
*ANNA* Including Anna G Corkscrew, bar & wine accessories
*MICHAEL GRAVES* Including teapot, kettle & tableware
*KING KONG* - the Girotondo collection
*ORIENTALES COLLECTION* - sushi accessories & tableware
*MR. CHIN* - tableware & accessories
*DESKTOP ARCHITECTURE* - the Hani Rashid designed range
The name Alessi instantly brings to mind an array of designs - from the classic Bombe teaset to the whacky Juicy Salif citrus juicer -items which are instantly recogniseable and representative of the true diversity of the company.
Alessi was founded in 1921 by Giovanni Alessi as a foundry and metal workshop. The company's now president Carlo Alessi joined the company in 1932 and was a pioneer in experimentation with stainless steel. From the 1950s to the 1970s the company continued to have a strong reputation for its metalwork, particularly in the hospitality industry. It supplied bread baskets, sugar bowls and fruit dishes - still considered modern classics - to international hotels, restaurants and airlines.
The company now has a huge range of products in its stable and its legendary label is now famous for its impeccably designed, high quality stainless steel products including its diverse range of tea and coffee makers, bar and wine accessories, cookware, cutlery and household items. It continually develops new ranges and since the early 1990s has launched new products in various plastic materials.
In 2006 the company took the decision to identify its brands into three groups - A Di Alessi, Alessi and Officina Alessi. The A Di Alessi brand includes its most 'democratic' or 'top brand..pop price products' and incorporates its plastic products including the playful 'Family Follows Fiction' series such as the Mary Biscuit box and Alessandro Mendini's iconic Anna G corkscrew. This range includes the lower priced items within the Alessi catalogue.
The next range - Michael Graves collection. The third catagory - Officina Alessi - includes their most sophisticated, experimental and innovative products,as well as small-scale and limited productions. These tend to be the more expensive, select, Alessi products such as Frank Gehry's 'Pito' kettle.
Utility loves Alessi because of its extensive and diverse product range as well as its truly exceptional quality and consistency. Also, as a family run company Alessi it's willing to 'take a punt' on up and coming designers, create one offs and doesn't always manufacture purely for commercial reasons. There have been many instances where they have broken convention with items which do not always sell but which have been created purely...because they could! Alberto Alessi is a great promoter of young talent - many projects involving young designers are developed in his Alessi Study Centre in Milan. Furthermore, under his jurisdiction Alessi presented the Tea and Coffee Piazza project - tea and coffee services in the form of post modern pieces of 'miniature architecture' designed by leading international architects and Alessi consultants such as Michael Graves, Alessandro Mendini and Aldo Rossi as well as Future Systems and Zaha Hadid. These sets are limited to 99 pieces and are available from Utility on application.
