Kartell: For Over 70 Years, the Excellence of Made in Italy Design

Kartell has represented the banner of Made in Italy design for more than 70 years. Its story begins in 1949 in Noviglio, near Milan, with the production of furniture and design objects in plastic—then as now crafted in the name of beauty and the pursuit of genuine innovation.

Kartell: The Origins of the Legend

Kartell was founded in 1949 on the outskirts of Milan by Giulio Castelli, a chemical engineer who studied under Nobel laureate Giulio Natta. Thanks to his research, Castelli had a decisive insight not only for his company but for Italian and international design: to replace traditional materials such as glass and wood with newly introduced plastics.

It is important to remember that at that time, plastic was considered a distant, lesser relative of nobler materials like wood and glass. Castelli’s challenge was to transform its perception aesthetically as well, making it a design project in itself.

The use of plastic thus became the hallmark of Kartell’s projects, and the company invested both in technology and in defining a unique, unmistakable aesthetic, adopting manufacturing techniques from other industrial sectors.

In the 1960s, with its 100% Made in Italy production, Kartell consolidated its international presence, especially in the U.S. market. This success was due to a cheerful, home-oriented design, made possible by contributions from Gino Colombini and Anna Castelli Ferrieri, who reimagined baskets, basins, and containers with originality, bringing design closer than ever to consumers.

In 1964, the Seggiolina K 1340 by Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper—designed for children and the first entirely produced in plastic—won the prestigious Compasso d’Oro, becoming one of the most iconic pieces in Italian design history.

In 1972, at the MoMA in New York, the exhibition Italy: The New Domestic Landscape invited Kartell to participate. Beyond numerous pieces that remain in the permanent collection, Kartell presented three prototype living units by Gae Aulenti, Marco Zanuso, and Ettore Sottsass. Kartell’s innovation continued in the following years.

The Year 1999 for Kartell: A Turning Point and the Dawn of Transparency

In 1988, ownership passed to Claudio Luti, son-in-law of Anna and Giulio Castelli, who brought a new wave of modernity. Luti, with a background in high Italian fashion, fostered key partnerships with both established and emerging designers, including Philippe Starck, Patricia Urquiola, Piero Lissoni, Antonio Citterio, Ron Arad, Vico Magistretti, and Alberto Meda.

The year 1999 marked a watershed for Kartell: it was the first company in the world to use polycarbonate for furniture production. The first piece was the La Marie chair, fully transparent with a modern, minimalist design, followed by one of Kartell’s bestsellers: the Louis Ghost chair. In the same year, the Kartell Museum opened in Noviglio, winning the Guggenheim Impresa & Cultura Award the next year as the best corporate museum.

Transparency became Kartell’s new starting point—a distinguishing trait that endures today. This research also led to new forms and types of objects, supported by the creation of a dedicated lighting division.

Kartell Today

Today, Kartell boasts a history of excellence with over 70 years of design and numerous Compasso d’Oro awards, yet remains forward-looking with a contemporary perspective. Its evolution still begins with plastic materials, reinterpreted through the most innovative technologies.