B&B Italia’s Le Bambole marks 50th year with Stella McCartney collab

SOFT curves, plush forms and innovative materials – these may not be anything out of the ordinary in today’s furniture designs, but back in 1972, they were revolutionary concepts from Italian architect and designer, Mario Bellini.

His award-winning Le Bambole (meaning “dolls”) upholstered sofas for luxury furniture brand B&B Italia (known then as C&B Italia), were radical, not only for being cosy and plush, but also fun and playful.

Polyurethane padding was wrapped around a metal frame that maintained the couch’s shape; the piece was then covered in upholstery that was both elastic and provided support.

Created at a time of women’s social and artistic emancipation, Le Bambole was also remembered for a daring advertising campaign that cradled a bare-chested model, Donna Jordan, one of American visual artist Andy Warhol’s muses.

Since its birth, Le Bambole has evolved; every piece in the new collection can now be completely disassembled and recycled.

With the iconic piece of furniture turning 50 last year, Space Furniture and B&B Italia are marking the occasion with a vibrant pop-up at Taksu Gallery in Holland Village. The star feature is a capsule collection by Stella McCartney x B&B Italia, marking the first interiors collaboration by the British fashion designer and the furniture company.

Launched at last year’s Milan Fair, the capsule collection will be showcased in an immersive display with its Le Bambole armchair, featuring the hand-drawn “Fungi Forest” toile de Jouy print from the Stella McCartney Summer 2022 collection.

Apart from responsible material and construction choices, the collection’s new innovative upholstery is 100 per cent biodegradable, with a toxin-free polyester that breaks down in compost and soil without harming the environment. 

The Taksu installation also includes a colourful exhibition that celebrates Le Bambole’s history and highlights the collection’s new construction methods for circular design.

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“Le Bambole 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,” says Bellini.

The limited-edition collection includes a sofa, armchair and ottoman, and is available exclusively at Space Furniture Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.

Visit the pop-up at Taksu Gallery, 43 Jalan Merah Saga, #01-72, from Apr 28 to 30 (Fri and Sat 10 am to 7 pm, Sun 12 to 6 pm).