Edited by Mirella Vitrani
An icon of discreet luxury and Made In Italybut with an internationally recognised appeal. A choice of style that has been applied to fittings for cars, offices, planes, theatres and parliamentary halls. When one speaks of Poltrona Frau, all this comes down to a chair that boasts the craftsmanship of artfully worked leather, following a tradition of over ninety years of history and pursuing objectives of innovation from its birth to the present day.
In this synthesis of tradition and modernity, the Poltrona Frau is named after the founder of the first workshop in 1912 in Turin, Renzo Frau, who established the production of what is now a brand. Fifty years later the company moved to Tolentino, after the acquisition by the group Nazareno Gabrielli. In 1990 Franco Moschini first became its director and later its owner.
In 2001 Poltrona Frau acquires the Gebrüder Thonet Vienna and the Gufram brand. In 2004 he acquired Cappellini and in 2005 total control of Cassina, and with it Alias. A relentless pace of development, but also a path full of important awards won by the product: Poltrona Fraufor example, in 1999, it won the Compasso d'Oro.
Today, it is a colossus capable of employing around a thousand people in the eight factories that make up the group's structure, and of spending at least 3 of the 275 million that make up its current turnover on research each year.
The company's strength is also its sales structure currently based on more than 50 single-brand shops and exports to 53 countries worldwide. It deserves absolute trust in a tradition that knows how to bring contemporary value thanks to its activity in research. Its leather is patented and made in no less than 179 different shades of colour. In addition to this, the choice of all other materials and craftsmanship follows a ninety-year history of refined craftsmanship.
Poltrona Frau
Vanity Fair: The most iconic piece of Frau production
Among the most symbolic pieces of Frau's production is the Armchair model 904, later called Vanity Fair. It is characterised by its rounded shapes, a long row of nails on the back and armrests, and of course the legendary Pelle Frau leather in a bright red shade. Vanity was handcrafted then as it is today, still requiring four to six weeks' work.
What makes this valuable handicraft unique are precise patented features, starting with the skeleton of the Vanitywhich is made of seasoned beech, as is that of the historical Frau collection. Jute straps are attached to the skeleton, which intertwine to create the spring base. Then steel springs positioned on the seat, armrests and backrest are attached and tied and pulled by hand. These springs are covered with hemp cloth before moving on to the upholstery stage.
The seat is fitted with a vulcanised horsehair panel that lends rigidity, while the armrests and backrest are upholstered with vegetable horsehair. The rounded shape of the backrest is given by the skilful work of expert craftsmen.
Today, the leather is cut by hand or with a laser machine, then the various parts are sewn together by hand with the help of sewing machines. The processing of the Frau leather is so fascinating that it deserves in-depth studies that experts cannot do without. The leather is placed after the horsehair and a cotton cloth, used to avoid irregularities in the touch. The last step is then the fixing and care of all the details such as cushions and pegs. The manufacturing process does not end here: once completed, a Frau armchair requires passing stringent quality control tests. This is the moment when the Poltrona Frau trademark is branded on the back of each
piece, and a gold plate is placed.
The value of this piece therefore lies unquestionably in the concrete workmanship of the element, as well as its iconic significance. All that remains for us to do is to admire it, appreciate it and reassure ourselves that, with time, a Frau piece can still be restored in the Tolentino factory, with the possible replacement of some elements.
