The return of the Bambole, Soriana, and Togo Sofas
That ’70s Sofa
One of my weekly tasks is analyzing the merchandise that Pamono sells, which gives me a front row seat to emerging patterns in the vintage market. Among the most blazingly hot trends of the last year is the return of 1970s-era sofas. Sharing is caring, so here’s a rundown on Pamono’s most-wanted couches from the era of pioneering space travel and “follow your bliss” super-relaxation.
The Togo Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset (1973)
Quilted, structureless, and set low to the ground, French designer Michel Ducaroy’s iconic Togo Sofa exemplifies the 1970s, when the modernist mainstream intersected and absorbed the counter-culture’s interest in alternative lifestyles. In spite of (or perhaps because of) its laissez-fair vibe, this organic, breviloquent seating system became a favorite of the international chic-oisie. Today, it looks particularly stunning in spaces defined by rich or voluminous architecture.
The Soriana Sofa by Tobia & Afra Scarpa for Cassina (1969)
Yes, it was technically designed in the 1960s, but the Soriana Sofa by Italian husband and wife duo Tobia and Afra Scarpa is associated more with the following decade, when its popularity took off. Like the Togo, it’s low and soft, inviting the sitter to really sink in. But its standout feature is the minimalist chromed wire structure that cinch the plush cushions in place and add a glint of glamour to the otherwise nearly amorphous design. Lately it's often found in high-profile and high-style boho modern interiors.
Le Bambole Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia (1972)
Looking like an oversized pillow with armrests, Le Bambole by Italian design guru Mario Bellini was made famous by its provocative ad campaign, which featured ’70s it girl Donna Jordan sprawled across it topless. But its success was no gimmick, and Le Bambole seats and sofas have been acquired by museum collections around the world. In the 21st century, it’s found a new generation of admirers, especially among those who favor edgy minimalism and industrial-style interiors.
Bonus: Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia (1970) and Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina (1973)
In addition to the Bambole, Soriana, and Togo Sofas, there are a few more notable ’70s sofas on the rise: Bellini’s Camaleonda and Vico Magistretti’s Maralunga, both of which feature that groovy, hippie modern vibe while maintaining an undeniable upscale elegance. They’re both stylistically flexible and look great within a variety of interior contexts—from sophisticated office spaces to fashionably low-key urban lofts.
* With special thanks to Handelsmann Khaw, Kelly Wearstler, Frederic Hooft, Designgut, and Cassina for images.
-
Text by
-
Wava Carpenter
After studying Design History, Wava has worn many hats in support of design culture: teaching design studies, curating exhibitions, overseeing commissions, organizing talks, writing articles—all of which informs her work now as Pamono’s Editor-in-Chief.
-
More to Love
Vintage Octogonal Coffee Table, 1970s
Vintage Camaleonda Modular Lounge Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
Vintage Black Camaleonda Sofa with 5 Elements by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia
675 Velvet Maralunga Two-Seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
Graphite Leather Togo Sofa Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1970s
Vintage Turquoise Togo Living Room Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1974
Maralunga 2-Seater Leather Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1988
Maralunga 3- Seater Sofa in Leather by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1988
Maralunga 2-Seater Sofa in White Leather by Vico Magestretti for Cassina
Vintage Maralunga Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Vivo Magitretti for Cassina
Vintage Maralunga 2-Seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Camaleonda Armchairs by Mario Bellini, 1970s, Set of 2
Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1973
Maralunga Armchair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1973
Togo Pouf in Cognac Leather
Vintage Two-Seater Soriana Sofa by Tobia & Afra Scarpa for Cassina
Vintage Soriana Lounge Chairs by Tobia & Afra Scarpa for Cassina, Set of 2
Le Bambole Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
Vintage Maralunga Armchairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Set of 2
Vintage Le Bambole Two-Seater Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
Vintage Maralunga Living Room Set by Vico Magistretti
Vintage Italian Maralunga Three Seater Leather Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Vintage Blue Leather Love Seat Togo by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset
Vintage Maralunga Leather 3-Seater Sofa by Vico Magstretti for Cassina
Vintage Maralunga 2-Seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Vintage Red Leather Togo Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset
Vintage Bambole Lounge Chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
Vintage Le Bambole Three-Seater Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
Vintage Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Vintage Aubergine Togo Living Room Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset
2-Seater Sofa Maralunga by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Set of 2
Maralunga Leather Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
Soriana Armchairs by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1960s, Set of 2
Soriana Velvet Sofa by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1960s
Vintage Maralunga Leather Chair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Vintage Two-Seater Togo Black Leather Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset
Togo 3 Seater in Cognac Leather
Italian Leather Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
Modular Camaleonda Living Room Set by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1973
Soriana Sofa & Lounge Chair Set by Tobia & Afra Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s
Vintage Le Bambole Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
Camaleonda Chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1976
Vintage Camaleonda Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1976
Camaleonda Modular Leather Sofa by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1970s
Camaleonda Ottoman and upholstery
Camaleonda Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
Soriana Two-Seater Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s
Blue Leather Togo Living Room Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1970s
Tobacco Colored Leather Togo Living Room Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset
Togo Living Room Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1970s
Italian Leather Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
Togo Leather Sofa Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1973
Maralunga Leather Chair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Model Maralunga Leather Lounge Chair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Model Maralunga Leather Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Maralunga Two-Seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
Vintage Maralunga 2-Seater Sofas by Vico Magestretti for Cassina, 1970s, Set of 2
Le Bambole Leather Chaise Lounge by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
Soriana Blue Velvet Sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s
Vintage Italian Le Bambole Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
Vintage Le Bambole Armchair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
Vintage Maralunga Armchairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Set of 2
Red Leather Togo Modular Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1970s
Vintage Camaleonda Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia
Italian Vintage Le Bambole Armchairs by Mario Bellini for B&B, 1970s, Set of 8
3-Seater Maralunga Sofa by Vigo Magistretti for Cassina
Maralunga 2-Seater Sofa by Vigo Magistretti for Cassina
Togo Leather Chairs by Michel Ducaroy, Set of 2
Maralunga Leather 3-Seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Italian Brass Octogonal Coffee Table, 1970s
Le Bambole Italian Leather Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B
Vintage Soriana Sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina
Soriana Lounge Chairs and Ottoman by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina
Le Bambole Leather Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
Le Bambole Leather chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
Italian 675 Maralunga Armchair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1973
Soriana Living Room Set by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina
Camaleonda Seat Module by Mario Bellini for C & B Italia, 1970s
Italian Le Bambole Seating Set by Mario Bellini for B&B, 1972
Maralunga Armchair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1973
Maralunga Three-Seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Vintage Maralunga Ottoman by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Toscana Chairs by Piero Sartogo for Saporiti, 1980s, Set of 2
Vintage Le Bambole Two-Seater Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
Italian Le Bambole Leather Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
Vintage Black Leather Maralunga Easy Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Set of 2
Vintage Black Leather Togo Lounge Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset
La Bambole Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
Scandinavian Ceramic Table Lamp from Stogo
Blackberry Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
Vintage Maralunga 2 Seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Soriana Club Chairs by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Set of 2
Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
Sorianan Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970
Soriana Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina
Le Bambole Chaise Lounge by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
Black Leather Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
Le Bambole Lounge Chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italy, 1972
XL Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Maralunga Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Maralunga Sofa and Ottoman by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
Maralunga 3-Seater Sofa by Cassina
Soriana Ottoman by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina
Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti, 1973
Orange Microfibre Togo Sofa Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1974
Violett Leather 2-Seater Togo Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1970s
Vintage Le Bambole Sofa by Mario Bellini for B & B Italia
Italian Two-Seater Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1980s
Mid-Century Brown Leather Togo Living Room Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1970s
Vintage Soriana Living Room Set by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina
Vintage Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Vintage Brown Leather Togo Living Room Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1970s
Black Leather Togo Sofa Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1974
Vintage Le Bambole Leather Lounge Chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italy, 1972
Mid-Century Maralunga Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Mid-Century Leather Le Bambole Day-Bed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
Vintage Camaleonda Living Room Set by Mario Bellini for C&B, 1970s
Black/Brown Leather Togo Sofa Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1974
Vintage Le Bambole Neck Leather Chaise Lounge by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
Vintage Soriana Armchair with Footrest by Tobia & Afra Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s, Set of 2
Large Four-Seater Soriana Sofa by Bianchin & Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s
Maralunga Lounge Armhairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1973, Set of 2
Vintage Maralunga Sofa and Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Set of 3
Red Leather Togo Chair & Pouf by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1974
Black Olive Leather Togo Sofa Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1974
Vintage Maralunga Two-Seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
Chocolate Brown Leather Togo Sofa Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1970s
Beige Leather Togo Sofa Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1974
Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1974
Vintage Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1973
Vintage Le Bambole Leather Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
675 Maralunga Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
Dark Grey Leather Togo Sofa Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset
Vintage Camaleonda Modular Lounge Sofa by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1973
Maralunga Two-Seater Leather Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
Maralunga Two-Seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
Maralunga Armchairs with Pouf by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
Soriana Cognac Leather Sofa by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s
Soriana Sofa by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s
Camaleonda Lounge Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1971
Grey Microfibre Togo Sofa Set by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, 1970s, Set of 5