A bag folded in geometric pleats that springs to life when picked up; a gently tapered vase in smoky gray glass; and a clutch of light pink, creamy white and dark green ceramics in softly-curved pentagon forms. Hidden among these shapes and textures are clues of an impressive design pedigree — they are all the result of a collaboration between the ever-innovative Japanese clothing brand Issey Miyake and the famed Finnish design company Iittala.
The Iittala X Issey Miyake Home Collection, titled Pause For Harmony, launched in 2016 with a mix of 30 textiles, glass and ceramic products, offering a perfectly balanced showcase of the two creative powerhouses. This was reflected further in new additions to the collection that were recently unveiled — a medley of bags, pouches, cushion covers and placemats crafted from textiles with Issey Miyake's signature pleats in autumnal shades of dark beige and harvest gold.
The idea of collaboration was dreamed up by Harri Koskinen, the award-winning Finnish industrial designer who, at the time, was design director of Iittala. He is now a consultant at the company and continues to work on the collaboration project.