‘TAIKA’ MEANS MAGICAL IN FINNISH
The strong decorative style of the Taika series may surprise those who are used to seeing iittala representing traditional Nordic functionality and simple design forms. The exuberance of the decoration, the design adopted for the pieces in the Taika has been a step into a magical world for iittala. Taika will add to the Iittala range a new and distinctive alternative, taking further the concept of mix and match. Taika is launched in two colour schemes which will both mix well with 2007’s new colours, sand and ultramarine. A pinch of Taika makes your everyday life as a festive; it stirs peoples’ own imaginations and entices them to spin their own stories.
Klaus Haapaniemi – an international Finn and designer of Taika
Klaus Haapaniemi (b. 1970) has had plenty of coverage recently in the Finnish as well as in the international media. His CV of design work is impressive: garment prints for Diesel, Levis, Marimekko, Dolce & Gabbana, Cacharel and Bela’s Dead, a new brand. He has also worked as Creative Director of the Italian fashion house Bantam, published a book entitled ‘Giants’ together with the Finnish writer Rosa Liksom, produced illustrations for the Observer newspaper, shown his work in exhibitions – and done a few other things in between. The international WGSN trend analysis service has dubbed him as one of the most important rising stars in illustration and design.