Histoire d’une icône: Sacco, the unique armchair by Zanotta

Colorful, deprived of structure, lightweight and, above all, one of a kind: the armchair Sacco by Zanotta has become a symbol of informal relaxation and radical design. Would you ever imagine a plastic bag full of expanded polystyrene balls could become an armchair? Almost fifty years after its creation, the Lolita chair, as it was once called, continues to fascinate for its anatomical, modern and versatile shape.

The innovative idea conceived in 1968 by the three young designers from Turin, Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini and Franco Teodoro, is immediately welcomed by the brave and nonconformist entrepreneur Aurelio Zanotta, quickly conquering the design world and the public. Sacco, sack in Italian, overrides the concept of traditional sitting, rewriting the rules of comfort: everyone can use it according to their own needs, since its amorphous body takes on the form of the people who use it, pleasantly welcoming their bodies. In addition, the armchair is made of simple materials that make it accessible, yet extraordinarily fashionable.

Timeless icon of Italian design, the "bean" armchair has also been used in movies as a symbol of pop culture. Thanks to its flexibility and its original design, in 1970 Sacco was awarded the Compasso d'Oro. Two years later it is shown at the MoMa of New York and joins the permanent collections of several important museums worldwide, such as the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Design Museum at the Triennale of Milan.

Considered one of the greatest bestsellers of all time, Sacco is a unique piece of furniture thanks to its style and comfort. Without support, no legs or armrests, it represents a new frontier of relaxation, ergonomic and revolutionary. As a symbol of an irreverent and provocative era, Zanotta's Sacco has been transformed over time. The range of colors, sizes and materials has been enriched, adding jeans, genuine the iconic armchair while keeping the originality and comfort intact. 

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