You might be more familiar with its products than the brand name itself. Remember the citrus juicer designed by Philippe Starck that looks like the Martian tripod from War of the Worlds? That’s an Alessi and arguably, the most famous. In fact, many Alessi items have become renowned design icons just like the juicer and they remain in production for decades.

Alessi distinguishes itself from a mere producer of expensive household products by collaborating with some of the most prolific architects and designers of our time to challenge the boundary between form and function. As a result, it manages to create quirky, design-driven and at times, experimental household items, which look so good you almost forget that they are actually functional. The price is a stunner as well.

The Anna G figurine corkscrew from Alessandro Mendini is an enigmatic re-imagination of a typical corkscrew - the handle becomes a head with hairstyle, the central body flows into a dress and the shoulders become the joints to a pair of slender arms. This doll-like collection was an instant success. The price? A good RM360, which isn’t too bad. But only a true fan would fork out RM 1260 for an Alessi-Phillipe Starck colander.

Available at Parkson KLCC, Parkson Pavilion and Robinsons Department Store at The Gardens