Gino Colombini

Born in Milan in 1915, Gino Colombini worked in Franco Albini’s studio from 1933 to 1952 and was Kartell’s technical director from 1953 to 1960. His everyday objects in moulded plastic, from a carpet beater to a lemon squeezer and colanders, earned Compasso d’Oro awards in 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1960.

His Umbrella Stand, a Kartell classic of the 1960s, is an injection-moulded cylinder with two side openings that also works as a waste bin, now made from recycled industrial waste with a soft-touch finish.