Mademoiselle

Founded in Helsinki in 1935 by four young idealists: Alvar and Aino Aalto, Maire Gullichsen and Nils-Gustav Hahl, Artek was born with the aim of selling furniture and promoting a modern culture of living through exhibitions and other educational means. The company's name is a combination of the words "art" and "technology", fundamental concepts for the modernist movement of the 1920s that saw the connection between these two spheres as the innovation of modern design. Artek's collection consists of furniture, lighting and accessories designed by Finnish and international masters.

Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914-1999) was one of the greatest interior architects and designers of his era. He is often said to have captured the essence of Finnish identity, creating iconic objects that are still highly regarded today. After graduating in Furniture Design from the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki in 1937, he worked as an assistant in Le Corbusier's studio in Paris. He later became an art director and designer at Asko Oy, then one of the largest furniture manufacturers in Finland. Throughout his career, Tapiovaara pushed the boundaries of traditional design, dedicating himself to projects that ranged from wood sculptures to graphics, from movie posters to kitchen accessories, to a portable grill. With the mind of an explorer and the soul of a craftsman, he always looked for new solutions to improve everyday objects.