A master of reflection, Alfredo Häberli has become an internationally recognized designer whose mantra, "observation is the best form of thought," has proved invaluable when creating his popular glassware collections.

Born in Argentina in 1964, Alfredo Häberli moved to Switzerland in 1977 where he studied industrial design at the School of Design in Zurich. Currently noted for creating collections that unite tradition with innovation, Häberli is the proud creator of iittala Essence, iittala Essence Plus, iittala Origo and iittala Senta. The joy and energy that exudes from his pieces is a cohesive concept that exists throughout his entire body of collected works. When creating designs, Häberli refuses to create pieces just for the sake of it. Instead, he uses his observations on how people use objects to create original works that exist to fulfill a purpose while being aesthetically pleasing at the same time.

Smart, thoughtful and interested in creating pieces that last a lifetime, designer Alfredo Häberli embodies timeless style. Bestowed with many awards throughout his life, a few such recognitions include the Excellent Swedish Design Award and the Japanese Zakka of the Year for Origo in 2001. In 2002, he won another award for Origo at the Industrie Fourm (iF) Design. He continues to create beautiful designs as his work remains an international favorite.

Finnish design has a long history and is know for simplicity, functionality, and craftsmanship. It's trademark designs emerged in the early 20th century, and gained international attention through pioneers like Alvar Aalto in architecture and furniture, as well as companies such as Iittala, Artek, and Marimekko. Their work emphasized clean lines, natural materials, and a harmonious balance between beauty and practicality. Everything must have a purpose. Iconic products like the Aalto vase, Artek’s Stool 60, and Marimekko’s bold textile patterns established Finland as a leader in modernist design. Over the next century, Finnish design became synonymous with high quality, technical skill, and timeless aesthetics—qualities that have earned it global recognition, particularly during the postwar years when Nordic design was celebrated worldwide, and still is. Today, Finnish products continue to enjoy international respect, not only for their aesthetic value but also for their reputation of reliability, thoughtful construction, and cultural authenticity.