September 10, 2026

Words: Georgina McWhirter

B&B Italia Turns 60 With A Look Back—And A Leap Forward

The Italian furniture giant founded as C&B in 1966 by Piero Ambrogio Busnelli observes its 60th anniversary this year. 2026 also marked B&B Italia’s return to Salone del Mobile’s Rho Fiera Milano fairgrounds after a 25-year absence. To celebrate, an exhibition at the company’s Milan showroom dubbed “Before & Beyond”—a cute play on the brand’s acronym—showcased archival campaigns like one for Gaetano Pesce’s 1969 Up seat, its polyurethane-foam shape inspired by a shower sponge, and Oliviero Toscani’s advertisement for Mario Bellini’s 1972 Le Bambole, featuring Andy Warhol muse Donna Jordan draped topless over the boneless sofa. As for what’s contemporary, new wares for the manufacturer include Vincent Van Duysen’s Untitled, a linear solid-wood seating series, and Moor, a sculptural rattan chaise longue; Alvar by Antonio Citterio, a Scandi-style oak armchair with cork rope interlacing at the back; and reissued Catilina chairs by Luigi Caccia Dominioni with cushions in limited-edition fabrics. bebitalia.com

OBJECTS of design 60 years: B&B Italia

  • A modern chaise lounge chair with a wavy, minimalist design in light and dark brown tones, set against a plain, neutral background.
    Moor. Photography Courtesy of B&B Italia.
  • Modern chair with a round, textured fabric seat and black curved metal frame, photographed from above against a red background.
    Catilina. Photography Courtesy of B&B Italia.
  • A modern chaise lounge chair with a light gray cushion and dark frame is set against a purple gradient background.
    Untitled. Photography by Camille Vivier.
  • Wooden armchair with a grid-patterned backrest and a brown leather seat cushion, shown against a white background.
    Alvar. Photography by Camille Vivier.
  • Text in colorful font on a black background reads: “To be or not to be B&B.”.
    Photography Courtesy of B&B Italia.
  • Black and white striped armchair with rounded shapes on a blue background; large light green “B&B Italia” text overlays the image.
    Photography by Camille Vivier.
  • A group of colorful, modern chairs and round pillows are arranged behind large white boxes with bold numbers and letters on their covers, set against a plain background.
    Photography Courtesy of B&B Italia. 

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