Header: Courtesy of Flos
Flos and Bottega Veneta have recently come together to revisit Gino Sarfatti’s Model 600 lamp, combining sustainable lighting design with the leather craftsmanship that both the lamp and Bottega Veneta are known for. The collaboration shows both brands’ focus on continuously innovating design, updating Sarfatti’s mid-century design with modern materials and LED technology.
Model 600’s History
Gino Sarfatti, born in Venice in 1912, is recognized as one of Italy’s prominent lighting designers since he created over 600 luminaires throughout his career, introducing new typologies by rethinking materials, forms, and emerging lighting technologies.
In 1939, Sarfatti established Arteluce, a Milan-based company that became known for its extensive range of lamps and innovative lighting solutions for major projects, such as the Palazzo Bianco in Genoa and the Teatro Regio in Turin. The company was later sold to Flos in 1973.
The Model 600 table lamp was designed by Sarfatti in 1966, the same year Bottega Veneta was founded in Vicenza, and it actually echoes Bottega Veneta’s early bag designs, defined by their fluid shapes and refined leather. Model 600’s base, made from lead shot pellets encased in leather, allowed the lamp to rest easily and allowed users to adjust the light’s angle, breaking away from the rigidity of conventional lamp bases.
The re-design
In a collaboration between Flos and Bottega Veneta, the Model 600 was reimagined using Bottega Veneta’s signature Intrecciato leather technique and the Intreccio Foulard edition. The updated version integrates modern LED technology while retaining the original light bulb’s shape, showcasing the craft-focused innovation both brands are known for.
Designed to be used virtually anywhere, the lamp offers soft, adjustable lighting that can function as direct or indirect illumination. It is available in small and large versions and comes in various colors, including black, grey, and Bottega Veneta’s signature green.
Historical accounts suggest that Sarfatti may have inspired the Model 600 from a bag of hunting pellets. Still, others reference an ashtray designed for placement on a chair armrest, an object Sarfatti remembers seeing at his grandmother’s house.
The lamp was first exhibited at the Milan Triennial XIV in May 1968, and its functional design ensured its production continued for years. While Sarfatti’s designs remain relevant, modern re-releases, such as this one, help align the historic designer with more modern sustainability standards.
