Heller, Inc.
| File:HELLER LOGO RED.jpg | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Furniture, houseware |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder | Alan Heller |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Website | Template:Website |
Heller is a U.S.-based firm established in 1971 specializing in indoor and outdoor furniture along with related accessories. Its headquarters are located in Westport, Connecticut. The company’s founder, Alan Heller, collaborated with eminent architects and designers including Mario Bellini, Frank Gehry, as well as Lella and Massimo Vignelli to create its product range.
The brand’s creations are showcased in distinguished institutions such as the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Vitra Design Museum. Among its acclaimed products is the stackable Hellerware dinnerware, which received the esteemed Italian design honor, the Compasso d'Oro.
History
Alan Heller founded the company in 1971, initially introducing the stackable dinnerware line known as "Hellerware," designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli. Although originally produced in Italy and honored with the 1964 Compasso d'Oro, manufacturing ceased there until Heller revived production in the United States, securing a significant presence in the market. The vividly colored dinnerware became emblematic of design trends during the 1970s and 1980s, with examples preserved in collections like Syracuse University Library’s Plastics Collection and several major museums.
Emblematic of 1960s design aesthetics, Heller also distributed iconic items such as Studio 65's Bocca sofa—characterized by its red lips shape and initially named "Marilyn" after Marilyn Monroe. Created by architect Franco Audrito, this piece has been part of Heller’s offerings since the 1970s and is included in collections at both the Vitra Design Museum and MoMA. Its contemporary iteration is constructed from waterproof resin polymer, maintaining its relevance for today’s consumers.
After Alan Heller passed away in 2021, ownership transitioned to John Edelman and John McPhee, who prioritized revitalizing the company’s strategic direction. Edelman described Heller as "Accessible. Iconic. Modern." with strong brand recognition among designers and customers alike. The firm has concentrated on reintroducing signature lines such as the Vignelli Dinnerware collection, which was relaunched at the MoMA Design Store in January 2023, thereby boosting brand exposure through strategic collaborations.
Beyond product development, Heller embraced blockchain solutions by issuing non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to authenticate designer pieces like the Vignelli rocker chair. This approach strengthens its defense against counterfeit goods while supporting its global business operations.
Awards and distinctions
Heller’s furniture and houseware have garnered acclaim for being "elegant, often whimsical but always affordable," according to The New York Times, described as "iconic" by OfficeInsight, and recognized as a "cult favorite design brand" by Business of Home magazine. Architonic praised their products as "beautiful and timeless." The company's designers—hailed by Gray magazine as "some of the world’s most revered"—include Canadian-born architect Frank Gehry, noted for his brightly colored "cube" seating created for Heller.
The plastic chair designed by Mario Bellini for Heller was awarded the prestigious Compasso d'Oro Gold Medal in Milan in 2001; this design is also part of the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection. Furthermore, Italian designer Sergio Asti's 1972 ice bucket for Heller is displayed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Further reading
- Beall, Kelly (November 2022). F5: John Edelman’s Journey from Edelman Leather to Heller. Design Milk
- Nicolaus, Fred (May 2022). John Edelman Returns, Bringing Heller Along. Business of Home
- Matranga, Vicki (August 2021). Honoring Alan Heller, a Pioneer in Housewares Design. New York Times
- Bernstein, Fred A. (December 2009). Is a Resolution Close at Hand?. New York Times