B&B Italia Outdoor Papilio Shell Outdoor
By Naoto Fukasawa
Butterflies inspired the name and shape of this piece: the Japanese designer took the lightness of nature and turned it into a chair. The resemblance is clear in the shape of the backrest, which looks like the multi-coloured wings of a butterfly unfolded to launch into flight.
Papilio was created for indoors. Its curves and conical structure, from its swivel base to the zip that allows it to wear high fashion: lots of stylish details have made this piece a design icon. The outdoor version is a sculpture in a single material: woven polyethylene fibre in charcoal. It is even lighter weight, with its aluminium structure. However, it maintains the great comfort and particular organic shape that made the series (armchairs, sofas, chairs) a contemporary icon.