When you hear the name Tapio Wirkkala, you immediately think about a small Japanese or Chines man, don’t you? Oh! Of course, NO! You think how wonderful
the first bottle of Finnish vodka was! Am I right? Again NO! So, it means, that you are a perfect expert in art and know, that Tapio Wirkkala was a famous Finnish artist, if to be precise, designer.
It is no use to deny the facts, as we all know, they are stubborn thing, Tapio Wirkkala is responsible for the 1st Finnish vodka bottle design. Also, he gave birth to a famous kitchen set Littala’s Ultima Thule. These two masterpieces are so popular because of a brand new form and design, it was a great step forward in glassware designing. Both items possess a form of falling icicle and were made from transparent glass. By the way, Tapio Wirkkala created his own glassblowing method.
In 1950’s he produced a series of vases. Some of them now can be seen exceptionally at the auctions. Some of his works are the representatives of Museums. As a rule, each item is sold in a very quick way. As for me, I think that a famous modern designer, Kenzo (I mean Kenzo Takada) has much in common with glass designer Wirkkala. It looks like a plagiarism. Especially, if we have a look at those two things: Bottle of the perfume Fleur by Kenzo and Iittala vase “Ovalis” by Tapio Wirkalla. Do you see any connections?

