Designed by Mario Bellini and produced by B&B Italia in the late 1970s, Le Stelle is one of the most emblematic creations of Italian design of that period, an expression of the formal and technological research that made the partnership between Bellini and the company from Novedrate famous.
The sofa stands out for its fluid and enveloping silhouette, built on a load-bearing structure in iron and steel that supports padding in cold-molded polyurethane foam and Dacron® fiber, avant-garde materials developed by B&B Italia in collaboration with the company’s research center during the golden years of Italian industrial design.
The line, soft yet architectural at the same time, opens into a visual embrace: the inclined armrests project outward like wings, while the curved backrest and generous cushions define a deep and informal comfort.
The name Le Stelle evokes a cosmic dimension, typical of Bellini’s poetic and experimental language, in which during those years he conceived the sofa as a microcosm of form, function, and matter.
The upholstery is the original period one, in elasticized fabric with diagonal stripes in shades of pink and salmon, a rare and refined chromatic combination that preserves its authenticity intact.
The original B&B Italia label, still present under the seat, attests to its provenance and patented materials (Lycra®, Polysoft®, Dacron®), a direct testimony to the technological philosophy of the company.
Beyond its aesthetic value, Le Stelle represents a historical document of Italian radical design, in which comfort and experimentation coexist in perfect balance. This example, perfectly preserved in its original integrity, constitutes a collectible piece for enthusiasts and connoisseurs of twentieth-century design, as well as a sculptural and poetic presence in any contemporary environment; it shows minimal signs of time such as some lateral wear stains, as shown in the photographs, removable with a specific treatment, but is generally in excellent period condition.
Product Name: Le Stelle sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia 1970
Designer: Mario Bellini
Year of Design: Late 1970s
Style: Italian radical and experimental design of the 1970s, with a sculptural and poetic imprint
Main Materials: Iron and steel structure; cold-molded polyurethane foam padding and Dacron® fiber; original elasticized fabric upholstery with diagonal stripes (Lycra®, Polysoft®, Dacron®)
Distinctive Design: Fluid and enveloping silhouette with wing-like inclined armrests, curved backrest, and generous cushions; soft yet architectural aesthetic; original pink and salmon color scheme; formal and technological research typical of the Bellini–B&B Italia partnership. The name Le Stelle recalls the cosmic and experimental dimension of Bellini’s poetic language.
Dimensions: Length 165 cm | Height 75 cm | Depth 75 cm
Comfort: Deep, enveloping, and informal seating thanks to the advanced foams developed by the B&B Italia research center; form conceived as a visual and functional embrace.
Typical Use: Sculptural living-room piece, collectible environments, representative spaces, or curatorial interiors; perfect as a statement piece.
Design Icon: One of the most emblematic creations of the Bellini–B&B Italia collaboration and a symbol of the radical season of Italian design; an excellent example of the fusion between aesthetic experimentation and technological innovation.
Versatility: Easily integrates into modern, eclectic, or vintage contexts thanks to its organic form and strong visual presence; ideal as a sole protagonist or within a curatorial environment.
Current Condition of the Design: Original example perfectly preserved, with B&B Italia label under the seat; shows minimal signs of time such as some documented lateral stains, removable with specific treatment; overall excellent condition.
Additional Notes: Please note that this object is in excellent vintage condition. Minor signs of time may be present, which do not affect its functionality. We invite you to consider these characteristics before purchase.
Mario Bellini is one of the most influential Italian architects and designers of the twentieth century, a leading figure of the golden age of Italian design. Born in Milan in 1935, he developed a design language in which technological experimentation, sculptural sensitivity, and attention to human behavior merge into soft, fluid, and profoundly innovative forms. Design director at Olivetti in the 1960s and 1970s, he created iconic objects such as the Divisumma calculators and revolutionary office machines, now exhibited at the MoMA in New York, which dedicated a monographic exhibition to him as early as 1987. In parallel, he collaborated with the most important Italian companies—B&B Italia, Cassina, Vitra, Brionvega—creating furnishings that have become symbols of international design. As an architect, he realized museums, congress centers, and major public works worldwide, from the Tokyo Design Center to the new building of the Musée du Louvre. His vast and cross-disciplinary work is considered a reference point for its ability to unite formal poetry, technical innovation, and a humanistic idea of design.
B&B Italia is one of the most important and innovative companies in contemporary Italian design, founded in 1966 by Piero Ambrogio Busnelli and quickly becoming an international reference for the industrial production of furniture with high technological and aesthetic content. A pioneer in the use of experimental materials and processes—such as cold-molded polyurethane foam, developed within its own internal research center—the company redefined the way upholstered furniture is conceived, opening new formal and productive possibilities. Over the decades, it has collaborated with the most important designers on the global scene, including Mario Bellini, Gaetano Pesce, Antonio Citterio, Patricia Urquiola, and Zaha Hadid, generating an iconic collection that includes objects that have become symbols of Made in Italy. With a global presence and an identity strongly linked to Italian design culture, B&B Italia still represents a model of excellence today, capable of combining research, innovation, and a sophisticated vision of contemporary living.