Found in the trendiest bars and choicest restaurants all over the world, this hip company has helped further the well-deserved esteem that Italian industrial design enjoys.
A family dynasty, whose factory is located in Crusinallo, Italy, has been producing homeware, bar counter accessories and many other tabletop objects since 1921. With numerous comparisons to famous design collectives like William Morris and Company and the Bauhaus, even the factory has garnered stylish respect, being described as "...a cultural "greenhouse"" instead of a production line.
These accolades should not come as a shock since Alessi's famous collaborations with Architects and industrial designers has resulted in products that are at times whimsical yet always innovative and aesthetically pleasing.
Alberto Alessi, Alessi's current Commercial Director since 1970, has inherited two distinct design styles: those of his maternal grandfather Alfonso Bialetti and his paternal grandfather Giovanni Alessi.
Alfonso Bialetti was the inventor, designer and producer of the octagonal coffee maker we're so familiar with; and to this day, The Bialetti Company, only manufactures the octagonal coffee maker - 4 million per year. A testimony to one of the best examples of mass-produced design. On his father's side, Nonno Giovanni Alessi established the Alessi company in 1921 focusing on producing a wide range of well-designed and well-manufactured metal objects. Currently the company produces almost 2,000 unique items constructed of metal, glass, wood, ceramic and plastic.
Today, objects are no longer purchased exclusively to perform a function or complete a task. With the vastness of items available in the contemporary marketplace, many items could fill the desired need. Consumer goods have matured and are no longer solely utilitarian. They have evolved into personal "crests" that we use to transmit information about ourselves, our social status, ethics, politics, affiliations and, more importantly, our aspirations. In many ways, who we would like to be perceived as.
Alberto believes there is another piece to this theory - a seldom mentioned but fundamental desire to return "art" and "poetry" into our everyday lives.
This notion is not a new one by any means. Since the Industrial Revolution individuals like John Ruskin, William Morris and many others despised the mass production of homogenous, poor quality goods.
Currently in many industries, designers are brought in towards the end of a production cycle to help "pretty-up" a product in order to make it more palatable to consumers. To Alessi, form and function are given the same importance, while production techniques do not dictate the look of objects.
When Alberto took over as Commercial Director. He believed that consumerism was not the final phase of human beings living comfortably and happily; he felt that consumerism was ".... Destined to evolve into a way of life where products will have less importance and man will have much more."
The shaker is reminiscent of the 50's with its clean lines and lava lamp shape.
It consists of 2 equally proportioned parts, one metal one glass, which slot together. The Boston Shaker is the most popular amongst bartenders as the glass half can be used to serve the martini.
The strainer, which is a part of traditional shakers, has been removed and made into it's own distinct object.
The stainless steel cooling bucket comes in a variety of sizes. Depending on what you are serving, a tall bottle of wine or a wide bottle of champagne, you can select the appropriate cooling bucket. The smallest bucket is ideal for holding ice used in Martinis. The bucket stand comes apart easily into 3 sections, making it a dream to store. Build into the supporting top is a "well" designed to catch water from the ice bucket .
Canadian distributor for Alessi merchandise:
ARTEMIDE CANADA 1-888-777-ARTEMIDE
Alessi Web Site
