La Marie
Philippe Starck's 1999 La Marie for Kartell, presented as the first completely transparent chair.
387 × 850 × 525 mm
Source: spec sheet PDF — 4850 La Marie, Crystal — published as W 38.7 × D 52.5 × H 85 cm
1999
3.5 kg
USD 1,010, La Marie, Crystal (04850B4), set of 2, kartell.com US shop, 2026-10-14
Description
Overview
Philippe Starck designed La Marie for Kartell in 1999. Kartell's page calls it the first completely transparent chair in the world, made of polycarbonate in a single mould, combining a light and impalpable image with essential design and an exceptionally strong structure.
Construction
The sheet lists code 4850 in transparent polycarbonate, with Crystal as the only colour.
Specifications
- Dimensions (code 4850): W 38.7 cm x D 52.5 cm x H 85 cm
- Weight: 3.5 kg
Story
The first transparent chair
In the Kartell Museo timeline, 1999 is the year La Marie was born: the first clear polycarbonate chair in the world, made in a single mould. Kartell's anniversary page of 2014 starts its history of transparency with it and calls it "An ordinary name for a revolutionary design".
Technological research
Kartell's page says the chair came from meticulous technological research into the material.
More by Philippe Starck
A.I.
Philippe Starck's 2019 chair, developed with an algorithm and made from recycled technopolymer.
A.I. Stool Light
Starck's A.I. Stool Light for Kartell: recycled technopolymer, three heights cast from one mould.
Attila
Starck's Attila for Kartell: a gnome-figure table-stool in painted technopolymer, 34 x 41 cm.
C.Koya
Starck's C.Koya stool for Kartell: a curved 3D wood seat on a steel frame.