From new materials to stellar collaborations, why Kartell continues to evolve
How do you sum up the impact of a brand, particularly one that has remained a darling of Milanese design for six decades. Kartell was one of the first manufacturers to open stores internationally and is now reshaping its direction by embracing circular materials and manufacturing everything from lighting and furniture, to rugs and smaller design collectables. Here, More Space talks with Lorenza Luti – marketing head and granddaughter of founders and trailblazers, Giulio Castelli and Anna Castelli Ferrier – about the brand's next big move.
A reminder of the new diversity of materials within the Kartell collection, HiRay designed by Ludovica + Roberto Palomba is made of formed metal wire and is both light and sculptural. The range designed for the outdoors includes a chair, chair with arms, bistro table, armchair, divan and side table. Photos c/o Kartell.
‘Our focus is not on following trends or adhering to a specific style, but rather on uncovering new avenues of creativity while upholding our identity grounded in quality, innovation, and industrial design.'
Lorenza Luti, Head of Marketing, Kartell
The iconic Colombo 4801 chair by Joe Colombo was designed in 1964. First made of three pieces of steam bent black lacquered plywood, connected without glue or screws, the design has been in continuous production 50 years. Photo c/o Kartell.
The Asia sofa collection designed by Piero Lissoni has a compact, enveloping seat and, like all of Lissoni's pared back designs, is elegant and refined. Photo c/o Kartell.
The Candelabra Abbracciaio is cast in aluminium, its form described by designer Philippe Starck as 'a loving embrace'. Photo c/o Kartell.
Expanding Kartell's soft furniture collections, Clap is designed by Patricia Urquiola specifically for the contract market. Photo c/o Kartell.
Outside on the terrace at Lake Como, the Hiray bar stools and high table designed by Ludovica + Roberto Palomba. Photo c/o Kartell.
‘There is no design without emotion… A design piece must tell a story, going beyond the product itself,’ explains Lorenza Luti during our interview about Kartell’s evolution. Luti who graduated in economics and then worked with Italian fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna, joined the family business in 2005 more than 40 years after her grandparents, chemical engineer Giulio Castelli, and architect, Anna Castelli Ferrier, launched the company in Milan. Some of Kartell’s most recognisable pieces include the Componibili storage collection released in 1969, designed by Luti’s grandmother at a time of huge transformation in furniture design and manufacturing in Italy. It remains both a legacy piece and one of the brand’s most popular designs.
With its rich history of design collaborations, the greats from Ettore Sottsass to Gio Point and Anna Castelli Ferreri, to standout contemporaries including Philippe Starck, Patricia Urquiola, Piero Lissoni, and Ferruccio Laviani, Kartell loves to explore new territories. ‘We are open to being influenced by various production sectors, art, and the social world, while remaining committed to following our unique path,’ explains Luti as we discuss how those relationships shape the collections. ‘Our focus is not on following trends or adhering to a specific style, but rather on uncovering new avenues of creativity while upholding our identity grounded in quality, innovation, and industrial design. As a result, we have been able to produce products that have become timeless icons, some of which continue to adorn homes worldwide even after more than 50 years.’
‘There is no design without emotion… A design piece must tell a story, going beyond the product itself.'
Lorenza Luti, Head of Marketing, Kartell
During the Milan Furniture Fair 2024, Kartell hosted ‘Milano Urban Horizons’ a show that celebrated ‘the urban and architectural essence of Milan’ and the roots of the brand itself. Iconic monuments and buildings within the city’s metropolis were depicted via bold graphics, a futuristic skyline. It was a nod to the heritage and the city and reminded us that Kartell is not just synonymous with Italy it’s also rooted in Milan the undisputed epicentre of creativity, where universities, architecture and product design studios converge. ‘Milan is where we meet our designers and develop ideas,’ Luti continues. ‘At this year's Salone del Mobile we paid homage to Milan, the stand was a metaphor for the strategy and philosophy of Kartell ‘Made in Milan’ with all the value that this creative choice brings… Milan is a constantly evolving city.’
Under the title ‘Crafting Spaces for Living’ Kartell’s latest collection featured work by longtime collaborators. The H.H.H., ‘Her Majesty the Chair’ by Philippe Starck, features recycled leather; the A.I. Console is made from Illy Iperespresso capsules and a new armchair with wheels. called K/Wood, joins the Smart Wood Collection along with the Adam Wood Container storage unit; Antonio Citterio and Oliver Low’s Glossy Family XXL tables are designed in steel and marble; there is the Viennese influenced straw and carbon fibre Belvedere chair by Ludovica Serafina + Roberto Palomba, as well as their 100% recyclable aluminium Albert chair; and the soft shapes of Patricia Urquiola’s AAland upholstered furniture and rug collection, inspired by the beauty of archipelagos. It’s a collection that highlights Kartell’s material transformation and a carefully curated family of designs for both residential and commercial application.
The Angela Stone floor lamp with the K/Wood armchair and stool, both collections designed by Philippe Starck, Photo c/o Kartell.
Below:
The Jelly collection of table accessories for indoor and out, in colours and shapes designed by Patricia Urquiola. And the Componibili in new Photos c/o Kartell.
The Audrey chair designed by Piero Lissoni is light and flexible, a multi-functional 'go everywhere' chair for indoor and outdoor, office, home and contract. Photo c/o Kartell.
‘At this year's Salone del Mobile we paid homage to Milan… a constantly evolving city.’
Lorenza Luti, Head of Marketing, Kartell
‘It always thrills me that our catalogue embraces many generations: young couples who purchase the Componibili, a product designed over 50 years ago, and those who want our most contemporary and hyper-technological creations...'
Lorenza Luti, Head of Marketing, Kartell
‘I firmly believe that this is the direction in which we need to go, creating not a series of objects but a transversal and versatile lifestyle collection,’ Luti explains. ‘It always thrills me that our catalogue embraces many generations: young couples who purchase the Componibili, a product designed over 50 years ago, and those who want our most contemporary and hyper-technological creations. I also like to see our customers play with their creativity through our proposals: a stool becomes a bedside table, a vase is transformed into a wine cooler, it is that emotion that Kartell knows how to convey.’
The Kartell collection is available exclusively in South East Asia from Space – Australia, and Space – Singapore and Malaysia.