A stunning example of vintage Italian craftsmanship, this exquisite Mario Bellini Bambole sofa set is sure to make a statement in any space. Crafted with four separate seating elements, it can be arranged in a variety of layouts to suit any interior. This vintage piece has been newly upholstered with a luxurious Italian white boucle fabric, adding a touch of elegance to its timeless design. Whether you’re looking for a four-seater one-line sofa, a settee and two armless chairs, a three-seater and one chair on the side, or a L-shape sofa for a corner, this versatile piece is sure to meet your needs. Sourced in Italy , this vintage Mario Bellini sofa set is sure to become a cherished piece in any home.
Four independent vintage Le Bambole elements to create several seating layouts
“Four seating layouts in one set of four elements. The Mario Bellini Le Bambole Collection is modular and fun to play with.”
The Le Bambole Sofa collection, designed in 1972 by Architect Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, is a timeless design from the 70s and 80s. This innovative design was revolutionary for its time, as it featured a multi-density polyurethane foam structure supported by four metal vertical inserts, rather than the conventional frames and belts. This daring new concept was not only seen as a totally new approach to living, but also as a way for people to create their own unique and personalized layouts. The collection consists of a long three-seater sofa, settee, chairs, lounge chairs, and day beds, allowing for a plethora of combinations. Bellini's Le Bambole Sofa collection stands as a testament to his success following the Camaleonda, Amanta, and Scacchi collections.
Corner layout for this modular Mario Bellini Le Bambole sofa
The Le Bambole vintage sofa collection was a true success story. In 1979, it won the esteemed Compasso D’Oro Design Award, an accolade awarded to only the most exemplary furniture designs. This was just the start of the collection’s successes, and it quickly gained attention and recognition for its timeless beauty and modern aesthetic. Most notably, the sofa was even inducted into the Museum of Modern Art of New York’s permanent collection.
The sofa’s widespread attention was largely due to its unique advertising campaign, which was handled by renowned photographer Oliviero Toscani. The campaign featured model and Andy Warhol muse Donna Jordan in a series of provocative topless poses, laying on a Bambole settee. Although the ad was censored when presented at the Milan Furniture Fair, it sparked a discussion about the changing landscape of advertising. The Le Bambole vintage sofa collection is a testament to the potential of great design and the impact of a daring marketing campaign. Its success story is one that will live on in the annals of history.
Arrange this authentic vintage Le Bambole set in multiple ways by arranging the single elements.
This stunning composition of Le Bambole by Mario Bellini is the perfect addition to any space. Meticulously upholstered in luxurious Italian boucle, this piece is truly remarkable. With two corner or end elements and two armless elements, you can arrange this composition however you please. Place the two corner pieces together to form a settee and the two armless chairs as separate lounge chairs, or arrange them all in a straight line to form a four seater sofa. Or, if you want a truly unique look, arrange them in an L shape. No matter the configuration, this composition is guaranteed to add a luxurious touch to any living space.
This Le Bambole set in a three seater and separate chair layout.
Le Bambole Sofa modular elements in a L shape layout
This is an excerpt from B&B Italia website about the original concept behind the Bambole sofa collection: “The original idea was that of a bag containing amorphous material which, resting on the ground, would squash to model its contents. Following research carried out by the designer together with the company's Research and Development Centre, the idea was moved towards the shape of a cushion. In this way, between 1970 and 1972, LE BAMBOLE was born. The search for a new type of upholstered product: a large cushion that was soft all over. From the very beginning the project involved the development of a whole range of products, from armchairs to beds, all with the same look. Disassembling LE BAMBOLE into parts gave even more cushions, i.e. a natural "free" form, difficult to summarise into a design drawing but easy to perceive and analyse. Inside there was a "framework", i.e. vertical corners or elastic membranes that combined form and fabric to create a balance between action and reaction. LE BAMBOLE products, according to Bellini, are not covered in fabric, but rather built from fabric, using special strong materials, the fruit of research into technical and military applications. Icon of the Seventies and winner of the Compasso d'Oro in 1979, LE BAMBOLE never gets old. What makes the design special is the apparent lack of a load bearing structure, the extreme naturalness of the shapes, the combination of comfort, softness and elasticity that the pieces clearly communicate”.
