Poltrona Frau

In today's world, Poltrona Frau is a topic that has gained great relevance and has captured the attention of different sectors. From academia to the business world, Poltrona Frau has become a topic of constant discussion and growing interest. Over time, Poltrona Frau has proven to have a significant impact on society, generating debates and reflections that transcend borders and cultures. In this article, we will explore the phenomenon of Poltrona Frau in depth, analyzing its implications and influence on today's world.

Poltrona Frau
Company typeSocietà per azioni, public
Borsa Italiana: PFG
IndustryFurniture and automotive Interiors
Founded1912 (1912) by Renzo Frau
HeadquartersTolentino, Marche, Italy
Key people
Nicola Coropulis
ProductsLeather seating
Revenue202 mln € (2022)[1]
OwnerHaworth Group
(controlling interest)
Websitepoltronafrau.com

Poltrona Frau is a furniture-maker founded in 1912 by Sardinian-born Renzo Frau[2] in Turin, Italy, headquartered since the early 1960s[3] in Tolentino and specializing in leather seating for interior and automotive applications.[4] The company name combines poltrona, the Italian word for 'armchair', and Frau, the last name of its founder.

The company uses a 21-step leather tanning process (vs. industry standard ranging from 12–15 steps)[5] where the full-grain leather is dyed through, so a surface scratch won’t reveal a lining underneath.[6] 95% of the company's products are made by hand.[7]

In 2014, United States–based Haworth Group purchased a controlling interest in Poltrona Frau.[4]

Furniture

Poltrona Frau armchair with drinks tray

In 2006, the company marketed a knock down version of its Viking chair at their SoHo, New York store.[8]

Beginning in 2011, the company marketed a sofa designed by French architect and designer Jean-Marie Massaud—called the John-John sofa, in tribute to John F. Kennedy, Jr.[6]—followed in 2012 by the John-John bed.[9] In 2013, the company designed and manufactured 600 seats for the Arena Corinthians in São Paulo, Brazil, the first time the company produced seats for a football stadium.[10]

In 2012, the company held a design competition to celebrate its centenary. The competition was won by British designer Benjamin Hubert, who designed the Juliet chair.[11][12]

Transportation seating

Model 177, 1915

In addition to designing seating for yachts, airplanes and helicopters,[3] Poltrona Frau has designed leather interiors for automobiles since 1986, when Lancia asked the company to design and manufacture interiors for their new version 8.32 Thema model. Poltrona Frau has since made interiors from automotive companies ranging from Alfa Romeo, Audi, Bugatti, Lancia, Ferrari and Maserati to Mini, Fiat, Infiniti, Jaguar and Chrysler.[13]

In 2002 the company's leathersmiths created red leather seating and pillions for a special edition of the California model of noted Italian motorcycle manufacturer Moto Guzzi, in celebration of the company's 80th anniversary.[14]

Museum

To mark its centennial in 2012, the company opened the Poltrona Frau Museum, designed by Italian architect Michele De Lucchi, formerly of the Memphis Group,[15] at the company's headquarters and production facility in Tolentino.[16]

The museum features approximately sixty of the company's furniture pieces, many from the collection of board chairman Franco Moschini, and organizes the company's history and production with examples of furniture, drawings, images and manufacturing materials in a 1400 square meter building under the theme “l’intelligenza delle mani," which translates "intelligence of the hands," or roughly "manual know-how".[16]

A primary video gallery highlights a technical glossary of the company: nine hand tools, methods and materials—including the curved needle, nails, horsehair, quilting and the hammer—the tools and materials required to fold, stitch, attach and work leather.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Poltrona Frau S.p.a. (05079060017), Meda - ReportAziende.it".
  2. ^ "Poltrona Frau is only latest Italian icon to go foreign". Ansa.it, 11 February 2014.
  3. ^ a b "THE POLTRONA FRAU MUSEUM OPENS IN TOLENTINO". Poltrona Frau. Archived from the original on 2017-01-13. Retrieved 2014-09-22.
  4. ^ a b "Haworth buys Poltrona Frau to create global furniture brand". Dezeen.com, 6 February 2014. 6 February 2014.
  5. ^ "Poltrona Frau: Leather seating born out of beautiful contradictions". Icon Magazine, 2014:35. 17 December 2013.
  6. ^ a b Kurutz, Steven (28 February 2013). "Analyzing the Couch". The New York Times.
  7. ^ "Poltrona Frau brand director Roberto Archetti on his vision for the Italian furniture company". The Australian.com, Anne Lim, April 04, 2014.
  8. ^ "Direct From Italy, Assembly Required". New York Times, December 20, 2006.
  9. ^ "Poltrona Frau John-John Bed". Poltrona Frau. Archived from the original on 2017-05-15. Retrieved 2014-09-22.
  10. ^ "Itaquerão terá poltronas de Ferrari em setor 'very VIP'" (in Portuguese). 14 November 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  11. ^ "Benjamin Hubert designs Juliet chair for Poltrona Frau". It's Nice That. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  12. ^ "Juliet by Benjamin Hubert for Poltrona Frau". Dezeen. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  13. ^ Stephanie Wilson (13 April 2010). "Presenting Italy". hauteliving.com. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  14. ^ "Guzzi marks 80 years with birthday models". Motorcycle News, 16 September 2001.
  15. ^ "Sitting Pretty: The Poltrona Frau Museum". The New York Times, Pilar Viladas, MARCH 4, 2013. 4 March 2013.
  16. ^ a b c "Museo Poltrona Frau, De Lucchi vs Moschini". Interni Magazine, ANTONELLA BOISI.