B&B Italia Up Collection

The B&B Italia Up series was launched in 1969 and immediately established itself as a groundbreaking experiment in design and industrial production. Conceived by Gaetano Pesce, the collection challenged conventions with its bold shapes and symbolic meaning. The most famous model, the Gaetano Pesce Up 5, also referred to as B&B Italia La Mamma, became an icon for its anthropomorphic silhouette and its metaphorical reflection on the condition of women. Over the years, the Gaetano Pesce Up designs have been reissued in new finishes, reaffirming their status as timeless pieces of modern design.

The B&B Italia Up chair is crafted with advanced polyurethane foam technology, a pioneering technique when it was introduced. This innovation allowed for soft, enveloping forms that could be industrially produced at scale. The Up5 model, along with anniversary editions like the B&B Up 50 and the Up5_6 version with matching ottoman, demonstrates the brand’s dedication to combining comfort, durability, and expressive design. The result is furniture that feels both sculptural and inviting, standing the test of time in quality and relevance.

At the heart of the collection is the celebrated Up chair. This armchair, paired with its spherical ottoman, is recognizable for its organic curves and striking presence. A symbol of timeless Italian design, each edition of the Up series reinforces the enduring impact of Pesce’s vision, making these pieces central to the identity of B&B Italia and to international design culture.

The Gaetano Pesce B&B Italia partnership marked a turning point in the brand’s history. With the Gaetano Pesce Up series, the designer introduced a new way of thinking about furniture — as both functional object and cultural statement. Through the B&B Italia Gaetano Pesce collaboration, the Up chairs have transcended their role as seating to become globally recognized icons of design, blending artistic provocation with industrial innovation.