The new Iittala x Café Kitsuné collaboration brings together Finnish design heritage and Parisian-Japanese coffee culture. This partnership brings together two brands known for their dedication to craftsmanship and functional beauty, creating pieces that transform the simple act of drinking coffee into an intentional daily ritual.
The collection centers on the Teema mug, a design that traces its roots back to 1952, when Finnish designer Kaj Franck first introduced the Kilta series. Franck, often called the conscience of Finnish design, believed in equality and moderation through objects. His vision challenged the ornate tableware of his era, replacing elaborate coffee services with practical, versatile ceramics that could fit into smaller living spaces and serve multiple purposes.
In 1981, Iittala reimagined the Teema design when Franck himself revisited and updated his original concept. The silhouette remains clean and stackable, built for daily use rather than special occasions. Its timeless form serves as the foundation for this collaboration with Café Kitsuné, a pioneer of matcha culture in Paris since 2014.
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The collaboration reflects the shared values of the two brands. “The cup is more than a simple container. It reflects our way of living—thoughtful, aesthetic, and in harmony with the small moments that shape our day,” explained Janni Vepsäläinen, Iittala’s creative director. “This collaboration brings together the clarity of Finnish design and refined coffee culture, expressed through objects that are both classic and personal.“
Johanna Lellouche, general manager of Café Kitsuné, offered her perspective on the partnership. “Working with Iittala allowed us to bring our vision to life: an art of living where design and ritual meet at the heart of the home through objects that subtly evoke form and emotion,” she said.
The mugs come in four colors that reference beloved beverages: Matcha, Sakura, Cappuccino, and Sesame. The color scheme feels intentional rather than arbitrary, connecting the vessel to its purpose. The 0.3-liter glazed ceramic mugs maintain the practical qualities that define Teema pieces. They can be stacked, used daily, and seamlessly integrated with classic Teema tableware you might already own.
Iittala founded its glassworks in 1881 in the Finnish village from which the company takes its name. The brand built its reputation on avant-garde glass design and color innovation, creating icons such as Alvar Aalto’s Savoy vase and Oiva Toikka’s glass birds. The company’s ceramic heritage is equally deep, particularly through Kaj Franck’s work at the Arabia factory in the late 1940s.
Franck approached design with a social conscience, believing that mass production could deliver quality objects at accessible prices. The original Kilta series was launched in 1953 and was preceded by a cream bottle in 1949 that was slim enough to fit between two windowpanes at a time when refrigerators were still rare in Finnish homes. Production of the Kilta series ended in 1975, but it returned in 1981 as the Teema series with updates from Franck himself.
The Teema mug’s functional silhouette provides the ideal surface for Café Kitsuné’s signature latte art. The brand operates 35 locations worldwide, spanning from New York to Tokyo to a recent day club in Bali. They source their coffee directly from producers to ensure quality and traceability.
To complement the mug collection, Café Kitsuné created a limited menu available for one month in Paris and Tokyo. The menu features drinks in the same colors as the mugs, such as a silky Matcha Latte, a delicately roasted Black Sesame Latte, a perfectly foamed Cappuccino, and a fragrant Sakura. Accompanying pastries and the signature fox-shaped cookie feature patterns inspired by the cups in the collection.
The mugs retail for 30 euros and will be available at Iittala boutiques, Café Kitsuné locations, and via online channels. The October 16th launch gives the collection a deliberate autumn timing, when ceramic mugs feel most essential to morning routines.
