The Ultrafragola Mirror by Ettore Sottsass

Ultrafragola Mirror History

Originally created in the 70s by Italian architect Ettore Sottsass, Ultrafragola, meaning “ultimate strawberry,” dons an iconic pale pink neon hue that you can’t help but be drawn to. Its frame is made of a wave of lights that resemble the luscious wavy hair of a woman. During a decade that was eager to make a statement to let loose and let your hair down, this mirror embodies that high-desired freedom. Although this mirror has been around for over half a century, modern influencers are creating a new wave of Ultrafragola Mirror fans with a younger audience.

At the time this mirror was released, feminist voices were getting louder calling for a change to social standards. They stood outside Miss America pageants protesting the male-celebrated version of a woman and called for a revolution – for freedom for self-expression. In this pivotal historical moment, it was then that this tribute was created.

The Ultrafragola Mirror first debuted as part of the Mobili Grigi series presented by Sottsass at Eurodomus 3 in Milan in 1970. Hosted by Domus magazine, the Eurodomus 3 piloted a series of exhibitions on modern home design.

Sottsass took this opportunity, as Artistic Director at manufacturer Poltronova, to present a collection that went against everything that mainstream brands were offering at the time. Imagine a market saturated with brown, teak floor-length mirrors drawing little attention beyond functionality. Now picture transitioning to being swept off your feet by nostalgic early 20th-century neon lights, reimagined with a softer tone, and available for you to showcase in your bedroom.

This mirror was revolutionary in every sense of the word – from what it represented to how it transformed a room.

If there’s one mirror that’s taken the design world and Instagram by storm these last few years it’s the Ultrafragola mirror by Ettore Sottsass. This mirror has been spotted in the apartment of Louis Vuitton’s cool creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, as well as in the home of it-girl Bella Hadid. The very cool boutique hotel Le Pigalle in Paris has a beautiful white Ultrafragola at the entrance, perfect for guests to snap selfies before heading out for the day.