Seletti’s BIC lamp turns an iconic writing instrument into something you can hang from the ceiling or stand in the corner

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

It’s quite impressive to say the least, standing almost six feet tall and identical to the original pen, right down to the small clip and hexagonal grip. The translucent housing allows light to shine through, just like the original did to indicate the pen’s ink level, but instead of the ink there is a long strip of LEDs running around the inside of the pen, providing a nice bright glow with up to 2400 lumens. The colored parts are true to the originals, blue, black or red, and there is a long power cord to make use easier. You can even turn it towards a room or hang it sideways on a table.

Seletti presented the line at Maison&Objet in Paris a few weeks ago, placing it in a display that looked like it came straight from a neighborhood stationery store to emphasize the pen’s everyday roots. According to art director Stefano Seletti, it’s simple: the pen is an important part of so many people’s lives, so turning it into a lamp offers a new twist while still remaining very familiar. BIC, on the other hand, was keen to highlight the pen’s long-term impact on the design world, noting that it is housed at the MoMA and the Center Pompidou.
This BIC lamp fits perfectly with Seletti’s portfolio of fun, exaggerated takes on everyday goods; they’ve previously made chairs in the shapes of hamburgers, benches in the shapes of hot dogs, and other strange designs. They used BIC’s archives to ensure the design remained true, replacing the writing function with a lamp, while maintaining the clean lines of the pen.

US consumers will have to spend around $350 when it becomes available later in 2026. Anyone who has ever scribbled a note, signed a contract or put a pen under the couch will immediately recognize this. The same shape that once cluttered your desk drawer can now anchor a room, demonstrating how even the most mundane objects can take on new life when viewed up close.