B&B Italia renews le bambole after 50 years
B&B Italia’s famed and much loved Le Bambole has received a radical redesign for its 50th anniversary. The collection, including an armchair, sofa and double bed, has been penned by its original designer, Italian architect Mario Bellini. The new design choices make it even more feminine in aesthetic as well as more comfortable and sustainable.
B&B Italia’s famed and much loved Le Bambole has received a radical redesign for its 50th anniversary
All images courtesy of B&B Italia
The original design was born in 1972 during significant social shifts in Italy, especially for women’s rights. Le Bambole showcased a collection of upholstered furniture pieces, revolutionary for its combination of cozy softness, plush roundness, gentle harmony and playful informality. This appearance mimicked a series of large cushions arranged in an almost random manner that reflected the transformation of society at the time. Inside, a metal frame ensured solidarity, whilst a generous polyurethane padding added the comfort. It was all dressed in an elastic, supportive upholstery.
Photographed by Oliviero Toscani, Donna Jordan, a model best known for her work at Andy Warhol’s Factory, danced and laughed topless next to or nestled on Le Bambole in 1972
mario bellini recaptures the look and feel of original
As a constant feature in the B&B Italia catalogue for 50 years, Le Bambole has seen slight adaptions in shape in order to keep with the times. The 50th anniversary collection recaptures the look and feel of the original, with a focus on a generous, curvy yet contemporary form.
‘I feel the pleasure of revisiting this family again, because it confirms to me that it is anything but aged; on the contrary, it is enjoying a thriving and promising second life, a rebirth done in a big way, done with enthusiasm, with breadth, with decorations and with the original flourishes. We have recovered its charm, its sumptuous floridity, its softness,’ adds Mario Bellini.
Mario Bellini’s new design choices make it even more comfortable, sustainable and feminine in aesthetic
The new range restarts from the basics with the Bambola armchair, Bibambola two-seater sofa, Bamboletto double bed, and three-seater sofa with a deeper seat, called Grandbambola. Its characteristic comfort is realized thanks to clever construction measures. Recycled polyurethane gives structure whilst polyurethane foam and thermoplastic elastomers add shape, comfort and breathability. This is then covered in an undercover of recycled PET. All elements can be completely disassembled for ease of recycling.
The revamped version reveals a generous, curvy yet contemporary form
The 50th anniversary collection of B&B Italia Le Bambole is available in a range of suited upholstery. Sila is a new sablé fabric with eight options. Its irregular, three-dimensional nature masks the orthogonal effect of warp and weft. Instead, it amplifies softness as a comfortable sensation that starts with sight and is completed by touch. The Manila fabric reveals a dreamy print as large roses create an unusual classic aesthetic. Kasia offers an extremely soft, naturally-marked full-grain leather option too.
‘The variation of this fabric, when in contact with your hands, your arms, your body, empathises with your skin and is extremely pleasant,’ concludes Mario Bellini.
