We have founded Kippis in honour of Finnish design and for all those who appreciate beautiful objects as much in the day-to-day life as in festivities. Finnish design has been internationally acclaimed since the 1930’s; in the 1950’s, after the prizes won in the Milan Trianneal, Finnish glassware in particular saw its breakthrough in the world of design. The milestone creators of this tradition –Göran Hongell, Gunnel Nyman, Tapio Wirkkala, Kaj Frank and Timo Sarpaneva– have through their work enabled the later generations to keep up the successful course of the Finnish design.
In our store we have a fine and vast collection of Finnish glassware from the 40’s to these days, as well as original furniture classics that are no longer manufactured. Along with old and new classic design items we also have artefacts created by young designers. The main body of our collection, however, consists of furniture and lamps designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by Artek, and glassware items manufactured by Iittala and designed by Kaj Frank, Tapio Wirkkala, Timo Sarpaneva and Harri Koskinen.
We have an assortment of handmade, unique porcelain and clay crockery by Nathalie Lahdenmäki and both lamps and glassware designed by Harri Koskinen. From Pihlgren & Ritola we have gorgeous wallpapers that were designed in the 50’s and 70’s by Lisa Johansson-Pape, Ilmari Tapiovaara and Birger Kaipiainen, to mention just a few. In our selection of lamps we have pieces like Modern Art and Lokki by Yki Nummi and also creations by Lisa Johansson-Pape and Paavo Tynell. On the vintage side we have works by designers such as Eero Aarnio, Yrjö Kukkapuro, Antti Nurmesniemi and Ilmari Tapiovaara.
The founders of the KIPPIS store are Kari Kenetti, who has made a prominent career in Finland as an art dealer and curator, and Susanna Kenetti, who has always shared her husband’s passion for art and collecting it. The selection in the KIPPIS store is based on Kenettis’ long-lasting passion for and expertise in art and design. They have travelled around Finland looking for the finest items to bring on sale in Berlin, where they have come because of the liveliness of the city and their local artist friends.
In Finland “kippis” is said when one toasts while drinking. So Cheers, Prost, Kippis; Kippis to Finnish design.