Chelsea Online

This fabulous tea strainer created in the form of a bird. Designed by Alan Chan, he was inspired by a tradition, rooted in Chinese history, when bird-fanciers took their pet birds in exquisite birdcages to tea. Alessi draws inspiration from Italian industrial culture to create unique, contemporary products. Collaborating with over 500 designers around the globe, Alessi believes that “a true work of design must be able to move people, to convey feelings, to trigger memories…” Born in Granerolo, Verbania, in 1916, Carlo Alessi studied technical design at the OMAR institute in Novara. At an early age, he worked in the metal workshop set up by his father, Giovanni, in 1921. In the fifties, he became managing director of the company, introducing a new international dimension, which he developed by working with external designers. He remained president of Alessi until 2009, when he passed away.