Why Plastic Became Luxury

Today, plastic is often associated with mass production and disposable products. But in the 1960s, it represented something entirely different. Plastic symbolised innovation, optimism, and a bold vision of the future.

As the Space Age captured the world's imagination, designers embraced new materials that allowed them to break free from traditional craftsmanship. Wood and metal had long defined furniture design, but plastics such as ABS, fiberglass, and polyurethane opened up endless possibilities. Suddenly, designers could create smooth, flowing forms that had never been possible before.

Visionaries like Joe Colombo, Verner Panton, Eero Aarnio, Luigi Colani, and Olivier Mourgue saw plastic not as a cheap alternative, but as the material that would shape modern living. Their designs challenged convention, combining comfort with futuristic aesthetics and redefining what furniture could be.

Ironically, many of these objects were originally designed to be affordable and accessible to a wide audience. Today, the opposite is true. Original first editions have become increasingly rare, and the finest examples are now highly sought after by collectors, museums, and design enthusiasts worldwide.

What changed?

Time.

Many plastic pieces were used every day and never intended to survive for decades. Exposure to sunlight, scratches, cracks, and changing tastes meant that countless designs disappeared. Finding an original example in excellent condition has become increasingly difficult, which has significantly increased their desirability.

At Baan Collection, we appreciate these pieces not only for their rarity but for what they represent. They capture a unique moment in design history when optimism, experimentation, and technological innovation came together. They remind us of an era when designers believed that the future could be shaped through creativity.

Perhaps that is why these objects feel so contemporary today. Their forms remain fresh, their ideas remain relevant, and their craftsmanship continues to inspire.

What was once considered the material of tomorrow has become one of the most collectible materials of today.

For us, owning an original Space Age design is about more than collecting furniture. It is about preserving a vision of the future—one that was imagined more than half a century ago and still has the power to inspire.