WA:IT launches ‘TŌKA’ a sustainable candle designed by architect Piero Lissoni

Introducing TŌKA, a sustainable fragrance candle collection by the Italian brand WA:IT. As the first European company to achieve net carbon-negative status in 2021, WA:IT sets a high standard for environmental responsibility. The 500-candle capsule collection, designed by Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni, promises to captivate the senses with its soothing Mediterranean scent.

Each TŌKA candle is a unique piece of olfactory design. The terracotta container, meticulously crafted and glazed by hand according to the vision of Lissoni, exudes artisanal charm. Complementing this exquisite vessel is the fragrance formulated by WA:IT. The distinct blend of neroli and wild fig leaves’ notes evokes the sensual ambience of the Mediterranean shores and the captivating sunsets of Southern Italy, transporting you to a realm of tranquil beauty with each delicate scent.

"The inspiration comes from the combination of candlelight and the skills of Japanese ceramists, This container will be different each time, there will never be two alike, just like the glow produced by a candle,” explains Lissoni. The Japanese ‘WABI SABI’ aesthetic, embracing acceptance, impermanence, and the beauty of imperfection, serves as the foundation for TŌKA. As the flame flickers and dances, it awakens inner emotions, inviting reflection and mindfulness. Even after the candle's glow fades, the lingering scent of TŌKA remains etched in memory. Meanwhile, the ceramic vessel, bearing Lissoni's signature, offers a lasting legacy. Repurposing this vessel becomes a celebration of sustainability and the beauty of craftsmanship.

"It all starts from an intuition: the scents, the colours, the names. That's how the name TŌKA materialised in my head. It's the Japanese contribution to balancing a proudly Italian project. TŌKA means a small luminous source, but it also has a ceremonial meaning as a guiding light. Japanese ritualism imbued with harmony, respect, and a deep connection with the beauty of the moment is part of WA:IT's DNA," says Raffaella Grisa, engineer and founder of the WA:IT brand.

The 500-candle capsule was launched at the Salone del Mobile 2024, in perfect harmony with the theme of the Fuorisalone 2024: MATERIA E NATURA. Every element of the WA:IT X Piero Lissoni collaboration is consciously designed with sustainable design in mind, from the fragrance to the vegetable wax to the ceramic container. In addition, the packaging paper, produced in Italy, is made using polluting algae from the Venice lagoon - a bio-waste harmful to the delicate ecosystem of the lagoon, thus ensuring a completely environmentally friendly product. TŌKA will be available for sale for one week, from May 17 to 23, 2024, at the exclusive WA:IT pop-up at Gray Matters, located at 409 Broome St, New York.