Seletti’s BIC Lamp Turns an Iconic Writing Tool Into Something You Hang From the Ceiling or Stand in the Corner

Photo credit: Seletti
Seletti, an Italian design brand, collaborated with BIC to commemorate the 75th anniversary of their legendary Cristal ballpoint pen, a clear stationery staple that has sold over 120 billion units since 1950. To commemorate the occasion, designer Mario Paroli blew up the pen to 12 times its original size and transformed it into a lighting fixture, the BIC Lamp, which can be used as a chandelier, hung on a wall, or even placed on the floor.

It’s rather impressive to say the least, standing nearly six feet tall and identical to the original pen down to the small clip as well as hexagonal grip. The translucent body allows light to shine through, just like the original did to show out the pen’s ink level, but instead of ink, a long strip of LEDs runs around the inside of the pen, providing a lovely bright glow with up to 2400 lumens. The colored pieces are true to the originals, blue, black, or red, and there’s a lengthy power cord to make things easier to use. You can even swing it around to face a room or hang it sideways on a table.

Seletti showcased the line at Maison&Objet in Paris a few weeks ago, setting it up in a display that appeared like it came directly from a neighborhood stationery shop to emphasize the pen’s everyday roots. According to art director Stefano Seletti, it’s simple: the pen is a staple in so many people’s lives, so converting it into a light offers a new twist while remaining very familiar. BIC, on the other hand, was keen to emphasise the pen’s long-term impact on the world of design, noting that it is housed in the MoMA and the Centre Pompidou.

This BIC Lamp fits perfectly with Seletti’s portfolio of fun, exaggerated twists on everyday goods; they’ve previously done chairs shaped like burgers, couches shaped like hot dogs, and other weird designs. They used BIC’s archives to ensure that the design remained true, replacing the writing function with a light while maintaining the pen’s clean lines.

US consumers will have to shell out around $350 when it’s available later in 2026. Anyone who has ever scrawled a note, signed a contract, or misplaced a pen beneath the couch will instantly identify this. The same shape that once cluttered your desk drawer can now anchor a room, demonstrating how even the most mundane of objects can take on new life when examined closely.