“Kartell and Philippe Starck have done it again,” was the spontaneous reaction of the jurors, who explained their Red Dot: Best of the Best decision: “The Eleganza Nia and Eleganza Ela chairs are exceptionally innovative in terms of their technology and construction. In fact, this new iteration of Kartell’s classic plastic chairs is both surprising and phenomenal, as is the use of clever design and choice of materials to achieve sustainability.” These furniture pieces continue to seamlessly blend classic Italian lines with modern sensibilities to create a truly sophisticated aesthetic. A robust plastic construction serves as a base for the gracefully curved seat element, which is simply bolted in place. This makes it a versatile choice that can be modernised, reupholstered or redesigned to suit changing tastes over the years. Monomaterial recycling in the circular economy is also an option, albeit a rather improbable one. After all, the sustainable, high-quality materials and the timeless, charmingly subtle design mean that these chairs will likely outlast their owners. Eleganza is a truly functional family of seating furniture, with softness and fluidity distinguishing the transitions from back to armrest and seat to legs. The contrast in texture of the different materials used to create these upholstered armchairs, such as faux leather or a mélange of fabrics, serves to highlight their independent character. While Nia features higher armrests and has a slightly more angular appearance, Ela is the purist counterpart with a semicircular backrest. A compelling colour palette for upholstery fabrics is available for both models, and the base of the chair comes in black or white to harmonise with every shade. “The unique textile surface chosen for Eleganza has only been seen in lounge furniture until now. This is the surprising result of combining the material efficiency of plastic chairs with the sensuality of upholstered furniture,” the jury concluded.
