Kartell
Kartell
Est. 1949
About
Kartell is an Italian design company known for furniture and design objects made largely from plastic, based in Noviglio, near Milan. It is widely credited with helping turn plastic from a purely industrial material into a medium for design, producing colourful and transparent pieces in collaboration with many of the best-known names in international design. Its catalogue spans chairs, tables, storage, lighting and accessories for residential, hospitality and retail interiors. The company was founded in 1949 by Giulio Castelli, a chemical engineer, who initially produced items such as car accessories and laboratory equipment before turning to home furnishings in the 1960s. Castelli's background in materials led to a conviction that plastic could replace traditional materials such as wood and glass in well-designed furniture, and the company built its identity around the industrial and aesthetic possibilities of injection-moulded plastics. Several Kartell products are widely recognised design objects. The Componibili modular storage units, designed by Anna Castelli Ferrieri in 1967, are among the company's signature pieces, and its collaboration with the designer Philippe Starck produced the transparent polycarbonate Louis Ghost chair in 2002, one of its best-known products. Other designs include the Bourgie table lamp by Ferruccio Laviani and the Masters chair developed with Starck, reflecting a long list of designer partnerships. In 1988 leadership of the company passed from Giulio Castelli to his son-in-law Claudio Luti, who had a background in fashion. Under Luti the brand was repositioned and expanded internationally, with flagship stores, design collaborations and a stronger presence in the contemporary design market, while remaining a family-controlled business. Kartell's products are aimed mainly at residential, hospitality and retail interiors and are sold through its own flagship stores, design retailers and online channels internationally. The company also operates the Kartell Museum near its headquarters, documenting its design history. As an Italian design house built around plastic and designer collaboration, Kartell occupies a distinctive place in the story of modern industrial design.
Specifications
- Categories
- homeofficehospitality
- Price Range
- $$
- Founded
- 1949
- Headquarters
- Noviglio, Italy
Resources
Common Questions
Kartell is headquartered in Noviglio, in the province of Milan, Italy, where it also operates the Kartell Museum documenting its history. It sells internationally through flagship stores, design retailers and online channels. Its products are used in residential, hospitality and retail interiors.
Kartell was founded in 1949 by Giulio Castelli, a chemical engineer, near Milan. It began with products such as car accessories and laboratory equipment before moving into plastic home furnishings in the 1960s. It has remained a family-controlled company.
Kartell is known for design-led plastic furniture and objects, including transparent and colourful pieces. Among its best-known products are the Componibili storage units by Anna Castelli Ferrieri (1967) and the Louis Ghost chair by Philippe Starck (2002). The company is credited with helping establish plastic as a material for high design.
Leadership of Kartell passed in 1988 from founder Giulio Castelli to his son-in-law Claudio Luti, who came from the fashion industry and repositioned and expanded the brand. Kartell has remained a family-controlled business rather than part of a larger group. It collaborates with many external designers on its collections.
Kartell products are sold internationally through its own flagship stores, design retailers and online channels, mainly for residential, hospitality and retail use. Buyers can purchase through these official channels. furniture.directory is an independent directory and does not sell furniture directly.