vintage LE BAMBOLE SOFA DESIGN Mario bellini FOR B&B ITALIA 1980S

The Le Bambole collection, designed by Mario Bellini in the 1970s, was a significant icon in the design scene. It won the prestigious 'Compasso d'Oro' design award in 1979. The project's objective was to create a seating solution that emphasized the cushions and fabric, providing a cushioning and embracing experience that made it seem like there was no inner structure. According to Bellini, sitting on it feels like sitting on a three-dimensional pillow.

The settee (Bibambola) was one of the first and most successful pieces of the Le Bambole collection. It was a versatile medium-sized sofa of approximately 68 inches that could be combined with armchairs from the same collection. This particular Mario Bellini sofa settee from the 1980s has been newly upholstered with soft and smooth Italian leather in a cognac color, sourced from a century-old Italian tannery. The Bambole sofa settee is compact and ideal for smaller spaces or in combination with other elements from the same collection to create a dynamic living room area. The collection has been re-editioned by B&B Italia, but the original designs from the 1980s have a unique charm and distinction.

This particular Vintage authentic 1980s Mario Bellini Le Bambole Sectional Sofa (shown below), is composed of four elements, two of which are central and have no arms, while the other two are corner/end elements. When used in a long sofa version or sectional in an L-shaped composition, it provides a versatile seating option. The middle pieces are approximately 80 cm, while the corner pieces are 90 cm. It is genuine from the period, fully restored with new Dupont Dacron Filling and new inside coverings, and new Italian fabric in white Boucle'. The original jute fabric at the bottom, which features manufacturer stamps/markings, was preserved by our upholsterer. Since the sofa sits on the floor, the bottom jute will present wear, which is normal due to age and direct contact with the floor.

Mario Bellini, an architect, won eight Compasso D'Oro awards and has about 25 of his designs in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art of New York City. He collaborated with the most influential Italian furniture companies and was the editor of Domus, a prominent design magazine from 1985 to 1991. He then focused on architecture, creating projects like the Islamic Art Center at the Louvre, the Tokyo Design Center in Japan, the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, and many other domestic and international projects. Some of his most successful furniture designs were in collaboration with Cassina and B&B Italia.

The success of the Mario Bellini Le Bambole collection can be attributed in part to its marketing campaign. Piero Busnelli, founder of B&B Italia, enlisted photographer Oliviero Toscani to create a provocative and attention-grabbing campaign. Model Donna Jordan, who served as muse to Andy Warhol, posed topless and in unconventional positions that were deemed too risqué for some audiences. This controversy only added to the buzz surrounding the product, which remains in production today with slight modifications.

The original concept for Le Bambole was a bag filled with amorphous material that would mold to its contents when resting on the ground. After conducting research with the company's Research and Development Centre, the idea evolved into the shape of a cushion. From 1970 to 1972, the LE BAMBOLE collection was born - a new type of upholstered product featuring soft, large cushions. The project expanded to include a range of products, from armchairs to beds, all sharing the same aesthetic. Disassembling LE BAMBOLE into parts created even more cushion shapes, difficult to capture in a design drawing but easy to perceive and analyze. The products are built from fabric using strong materials developed through research into technical and military applications. LE BAMBOLE products are not just covered in fabric but rather constructed from it, using a "framework" of vertical corners or elastic membranes that combine form and fabric to achieve a balance between action and reaction. The design's natural shapes and lack of a visible load-bearing structure make it an icon of the 1970s and a recipient of the Compasso d'Oro award in 1979. LE BAMBOLE's combination of comfort, softness, and elasticity is what makes it a timeless classic.

On display in the above picture is a beautiful vintage Le Bambole sectional set, consisting of three armless chairs and one corner piece, which has been newly upholstered in luxurious Italian chocolate brown leather. The talented and renowned designer and architect, Mario Bellini, is the mastermind behind many award-winning designs such as the Bambole and Camaleonda sofas. With a total of 8 Compasso D'Oro awards and about 25 of his products on permanent display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, Bellini has collaborated with some of the biggest Italian furniture companies. He was also the editor of Domus, a prominent design magazine, from 1985 to 1991. Later on, he focused on architecture and created numerous projects such as the Islamic Art Center at the Louvre, the Tokyo Design Center in Japan, and the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne. Bellini's most successful furniture designs were in collaboration with Cassina and B&B Italia, including the 'Cab' chair, the 'Le Bambole' seating collection, and naturally, the 'Camaleonda' sofa.

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For availability of the Le Bambole Sofa Collection, please browse our website. You can also check out our Instagram page for the latest arrivals. If you have any inquiries about the availability of the Bambole sofa collection designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, please contact our office. To schedule a visit, please feel free to call our offices, and we would be more than happy to arrange a time for you. At Designitalia, we import Italian 20th Century design products, sourced directly from Italy.