Mario Bellini graduated from the Politecnico di Milano - Faculty of architecture in Milan in 1959 and began working as an architect himself in the early Sixties. Like many other Italian architects, his activities range from architecture and urban planning to product and furniture design.

His early international success grew rapidly during the first two decades, especially in the design sector, and reached its peak in 1987 with the greatest acknowledgement expressed in a personal retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art of New York, which at the time already included 25 of his works in its Permanent Collection, including a remarkable set of Olivetti machines as well as some furniture such as the famous "Cab" chair.

He has taught in the major cultural centres in the world and has been awarded all the major international design and architecture prizes, 8 “Compasso d’oro” included. In December 2004 he was honored with the “Golden Medal” by Italian Republic President for his architectural and design work in the world.