Alessi
ALESSI – Italian dream factory
Alessi brand history
Alessi is an Italian brand founded in 1921 by a sheet metal worker Giovanni Alessi Anghini. From the very beginning, the products created mainly via cold processing of the metals were known for their high quality, skilled craftsmanship, perfect finish, modern look, creativity and innovation. First industrial but at the same time decorative products like steel fruit baskets and bowls were produced as early as in 1945 and it was around this time that ALFRA (Alessi FRAtelli) began working in partnership with independent designers. Alessi products are still made in Italy by highly skilled craftsmen at the factory in Crusinallo, Omegna.
Alessi’s mission and vision
Alberto Alessi, the founder’s grandson once said that "A true design work must move people, convey emotions, bring back memories, surprise, and go against common thinking." He was the one who influenced the way Alessi thinks of design and who established its mission. Alessi is supposed to translate creative expressions into real home objects capable of fulfilling dreams and satisfying human desires. It is supposed to be the dream factory making the ordinary extraordinary. Its products are supposed to respond to the need for happiness and for art. But Alessi is not only the dream factory, it’s a sort of laboratory of industrial research into applied arts.
Famous designers and cooperations
When Alberto Alessi joined the company in 1970 he made it clear that he wants to produce objects which were not only functional but also capable of satisfying people’s need for art and poetry. This is when Alessi started its collaboration with a group of artists, including Salvador Dalí and later on with such famous designers like Ettore Sottsass, Richard Sapper, Achille Castiglioni and Alessandro Mendini who contributed to transforming the company into the dream factory as imagined by Alberto.
Over the years many famous artists and designers have decided to work for Alessi, including such design stars as Zaha Hadid, Aldo Rossi, Toyo Ito, Marcel Wanders, Miriam Mirri, Michael Graves, and Philippe Starck.
Materials and quality
Most Alessi products have been created via cold processing of metals (stainless steel, copper, brass, and nickel) but many other materials such as wood, porcelain, glass or plastic are also included in its catalogue. All materials and processes undergo strict quality standards, are timeless and elegant and they don’t compromise between the technological complexity of industrial production and the attention to detail typical for art and craftsmanship.
The products and design icons
Alessi is famous for its housewares and kitchen utensils – functional, beautiful and stylish products that can be both useful and decorative. The catalogue includes cookware, dinnerware, glassware, cutlery, coffee & tea and bar accessories as well as decorative objects for the living room and functional bathroom products.
Among the most popular Alessi products are such design icons as:
- Juicy Salif citrus squeezer by Philippe Starck,
- 9093 kettle by Michael Graves,
- La Conica and La Cupola espresso coffee maker by Aldo Rossi,
- Mediterraneo, Cactus!, Girotondo and La Stanza dello Sciroco fruit bowls and baskets
- Anna G. and Parrot corkscrews by Alessandro Mendini.
Alessi products – where can you find them?
Many of Alessi products can be seen in well-known museums around the world such as Centre Pompidou, Victoria and Albert Museum and the Museum of Modern Art. You can also spot them in various design and interior magazines. In fact, it’s difficult to find one in which there would be none of Alessi’s products featured in the photos! Kitchen products from the famous Italian dream factory can be also seen in movies Ordinary people and celebrities love them and they make perfect presents for design lovers as well as ideal wedding gifts.