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Colombini Umbrella Stand by Kartell designed by Gino Colombini
This cylindrical, injection-molded container is glossy, colorful, easy to clean and pretty much indestructible. The Kartell umbrella stand is characterized by two lateral openings which allow the lower section to be used as a waste basket. The umbrella stand may be supplied with a stainless steel upper tray for use as an ashtray.
Gino Colombini Gino Colombini worked from 1943 in the Milan practice of the architect and designer Franco Albini. From 1953 until 1960, Gino Colombini was technical director of Kartell, which was founded by Giulio Castelli to specialize in articles made of plastic. Kartell made utilitarian appliances and objects of plastic that were beautifully designed products, no longer dreary and colorless but colorful and modern. Gino Colombini designed many of these household items and, in so doing, revolutionized these small everyday things and made them affordable. Objects designed by Gino Colombini include a carpet beater (1957), a lemon squeezer (1958), plastic wash basins, salad colanders, and lunch boxes, and, in 1959, a long-handled cleaning scoop to be used instead of a dustpan. Particularly well known is Gino Colombini's 1965 round umbrella stand made of ABS plastic, topped with a steel ashtray. Gino Colombini was awarded the Compasso d'Oro for designs he did for Kartell in the years 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1960.
Contrary to the common idea, products in plastic materials are highly ecological for the reason that they can be recycled (with the exception of polyurethane, little used in Kartell products). Thus, Kartell products can be easily recycled. In order to simplify the recycling process, the various components of Kartell products can be easily separated and reduced to elements made of one single material. Moreover, the plastic parts of each product carry, clearly printed, an identification mark to determine the correct classification of the different kinds of plastic and their effective recycling.
Creativity and technology, glamour and functionality, quality and innovation: a combination of extraordinary factors together with a strategic vision of distribution has contributed to the lasting success of Kartell. By cultural and entrepreneurial choice, since its origins in 1949 the Italian manufacturer has chosen to characterize itself as the market leader in the production of designers articles which use technology and plastic materials. This choice requires a great understanding of materials and transformation technology. A leader in furniture design, Kartell addresses an international audience with a collection unique in originality, variety, size, and range.
Gino Colombini
