Iittala, founded in 1881, is a Scandinavian design brand specializing in glassware. (image: Iittala)
SEOUL, Sep. 5 (Korea Bizwire) – Iittala, a Finnish design brand, plans to open its first retail store at Lotte Department Store Yeongdeungpo in Seoul in September 2014 to expand the brand in the Korean market.
Iittala, founded in 1881, is a Scandinavian design brand specializing in glassware. The Finnish company operates more than 200 stores in 23 countries including Europe, America and Asia, having a wide range of fans.
Now Korean consumers can enjoy Scandinavian product lineups from art glass to glassware to ceramics. Iittala’s long experience since 1881 will show Korean customers its craftsmanship with elegant, timeless, practical design. Koreans can have an opportunity to relish the footprints of its heritage soon.
In the first shop, Korean shoppers will meet renowned Iittala products made by famous Finnish designers including Alvar Aalto, Kaj Franck and Oiva Toika. Iconic design tableware such as Teema and Taika, and long-beloved Alvar Aalto’s Savoy Vase have long been favored in Korea despite the fact that Korea has not had any official store until now.
“Iittala focuses on practical but timeless design to make products which are long-admired and have enriched our lives,” Oh Dong-eun, president of Royal Copenhagen Korea, said. “Considering the fact that more and more Koreans have eclectic tastes in lifestyle brands, Iittala is expected to write a new chapter in the market,” she added.
Starting with the shop in Yeongdeungpo in Seoul’s southwest, five more stores will be rolled out in department stores or as a flagship store.
By Veronica Huh (veronicah@koreabizwire.com)
