Mario Paroli Transforms the Iconic BIC Cristal Into Lighting for Seletti
From desk staple to design statement.
Summary
- Seletti debuted the BIC Lamp at Maison&Objet 2026, reimagining the iconic ballpoint pen at a 12:1 scale
- Designed by Mario Paroli, the LED collection comes in floor, pendant, and wall-mounted versions
- Available in black, blue and red colorways
The BIC Lamp, designed by Mario Paroli for the Italian brand Seletti, transforms one of the world’s most recognizable writing instruments into a surprising lighting fixture.
Unveiled at the Maison&Objet 2026 fair in Paris, the collection faithfully translates the iconic BIC Cristal ballpoint pen at an enlarged 12:1 scale. The project celebrates the 75th anniversary of the BIC Cristal, paying tribute to the Parisian origins of the company founded by Marcel Bich.
Crafted with carefully selected materials to evoke the look and feel of the pen, the lamp integrates modern LED technology to ensure efficient illumination. Its elongated form and transparent detailing highlight Seletti’s playful approach to memory-driven design, turning a utilitarian object into a functional light source with cultural resonance.
The collection is characterized by a pop sensibility that reinterprets everyday function through unconventional proportions. Available in the three signature ink colors – black, blue and red – the lamp is also offered in three versatile versions: floor lamp, pendant or wall-mounted. The materials were specifically chosen to evoke the aesthetic of the original pen, and each piece is equipped with modern LED technology to illuminate the memory-driven design.
As part of the broader Seletti installation at Maison&Objet, which includes the Seletti Papeterie and Seletti Market concepts, the BIC Lamp serves as a central symbol of the brand’s creative experimentation. For more details, head over to Seletti’s website.
