Elisa Defossez Kikuchi was born and raised in Belgium, and later studied Product Design in Brussels and Textile Design at Aalto University in Finland. Running her own design studio in Helsinki since 2021, she finds inspiration from nature and aims to bring warmth and coziness into daily life. Elisa has collaborated with Finnish weaving company Lapuan Kankurit to create modern and creative textiles. Her notable designs for the company include the TAITO textiles and the HOHTO sauna collection.

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.