Kartell

Drawing on his experience in the fashion world, Claudio Luti, the son-in-law of Giulio and Anna Castelli, bought the company in 1988. His time at Versace enabled him, as a designer, to cultivate a love of perfection and aesthetics; this sensibility would allow him to breathe new life into the brand. Luti brought together designers and architects of the calibre of Philippe Starck, Ron Arad, Antonio Citterio, Ferruccio Laviani, Piero Lissoni, Patricia Urquiola, Mario Bellini, Alberto Meda and Vico Magistretti, whose creations, the fruit of their talents, would quickly become symbols and icons of the brand.

Kartell’s history and its defining moments have been shaped by the use of innovative materials. The creation, manipulation and development of these materials have led to products with unprecedented characteristics. Ten years of research culminated in a revolutionary innovation that marked a turning point in Kartell’s history. In 1999, the brand became the first company in the world to use polycarbonate to manufacture new products: decorative items and furniture. This led to the creation of La Marie, a completely transparent chair with a modern, minimalist design, which was followed by the Louis Ghost, one of Kartell’s best-selling models. From then on, the company developed and explored the theme of transparency – a symbol of its exclusivity and originality – whilst continuing its research into surfaces and forms using new technologies and high-performance materials, which enabled the creation of designer furniture such as stools, sofas, mirrors… all of which are completely original. Alongside its Home and Contemporary Furniture division, Kartell has ventured into lighting production, thus writing a new chapter in the history of lighting design with designer lighting such as pendant lights that create a unique atmosphere to enhance your interior.

Kartell’s hallmark is the industrial production of high-end, high-tech design objects that are ‘Made in Italy’. From the selection of innovative, certified materials to cutting-edge technologies, every Kartell product guarantees its owner features that reflect the brand’s DNA through technology, quality, strength and durability. Indeed, the range of furniture – spanning from Scandinavian to Baroque styles, via contemporary and vintage designs – is united by its use of fine, high-quality materials such as brass, solid wood and crystal.

The high level of stability in production and sales, combined with repetitive processes, helps to minimise inefficiencies and waste, resulting in products with a contemporary design that generate few polluting residues and are, in any case, fully recyclable. A passion for excellence has consistently guided Kartell’s development since its inception. It is this same passion that, today, drives the company to focus on environmental responsibility and best practices in sustainability.

Kartell products are timeless; they are designed with respect for the environment in mind and, at the end of their life, are intended for museums or to become part of a collection. Its purpose is to create value. It does not simply produce decorative objects, but original pieces that will contribute to a cultural project and which will under no circumstances be destined for the scrap heap at the end of their life. Quite the contrary: these objects will become true keepsakes.

The raw material used by Kartell, which is fully recyclable, can be given a new lease of life through material processing techniques for industrial applications. For seventy years, research and technological development have enabled the company to continue selecting materials capable of regenerating and protecting the environment. Furthermore, all product packaging is made from recyclable and recoverable materials, specifically within three main categories.

For the Smart Wood collection, Kartell has obtained FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certification, which identifies products containing wood sourced from forests that are managed properly and responsibly, in accordance with strict environmental, social and economic criteria. The source forest has been independently audited and assessed in accordance with these standards (principles and criteria for good forest management), established and approved by the Forest Stewardship Council® a. c. through the participation and consent of stakeholders. Indeed, the timber comes entirely from FSC-certified forests, thus guaranteeing the origin and proper management of forest resources. Consumers can be fully confident about the origin of the materials they purchase. Don’t hesitate any longer – it is now possible to combine an Italian-designed corner sofa with a responsible approach!

Organic materials are also one of the new frontiers being explored by Kartell’s research team, which has led to the creation of the first range of furniture made from a completely revolutionary and natural material. This material is derived from agricultural waste that does not compete with food for humans or animals. The waste is ‘broken down’ by microorganisms through a biological process and transformed into a plastic-like biomass. This biomass is then subjected to a series of processes to refine its composition, becoming a high-quality material that Kartell was the first to apply in the furniture sector using injection moulding and moulding techniques, just as with other plastics. From convertible outdoor furniture to create a stylish garden to the side table in natural wood and chrome that will be the centrepiece of your living room, Kartell has the solution.

Finally, Kartell is committed to implementing and continuously improving its environmental management system, which is ensured through its adherence to international certification protocols. Furthermore, with consumers’ health in mind, Kartell guarantees that all its products are GREENGUARD-certified, meaning that its modern furniture emits low levels of pollutants, with the aim of preserving indoor air quality.