Italian Expressions Collide for Fornasetti x Poltrona Frau Vanity Fair XC Imagine Edition

For the first time in their multi-decade histories, Tolentino-based Poltrona Frau and Milanese atelier Fornasetti have teamed up for a special collaboration. The inaugural endeavor sees the pair blend their distinctive identities in Italian design and craftsmanship as they rework one of the furniture brand’s most iconic pieces: the Vanity Fair XC armchair.

Conceptualized by Renzo Frau, founder of Poltrona Frau, the original Vanity Fair armchair from 1930 stood out as an emblem of high-quality craftsmanship that featured plush fabrics and components pieced together using artisan techniques. Boasting a timeless design, the piece went on to become a staple in households worldwide, creating a sacred space for innovators and creatives alike.

“When I sat on the Vanity Fair armchair, I felt like I was on a cloud and began to daydream,” says artistic director Barnaba Fornasetti as he recalls his own memories of the piece. “It is no coincidence that Fornasetti’s statement is ‘Be the one who dreams’: all Fornasetti art is an invocation to the imagination and an encouragement to think creatively.”

In a nod to Poltrona Frau’s 2024 Imagine Collection, and Fornasetti’s own experiences with the armchair, the luxury brand introduces a celestial “up in the clouds” feel to the contemporary Vanity Fair XC model. Adapting an archival pattern once used for decorative objects and in upholstery materials to achieve its bold aesthetic, Fornasetti says, “I replicated the clouds from an old print in my bedroom but the sun, with its face and stylized rays, is one of the themes my father interpreted obsessively.” Strategically placed within the rounded, Art Deco-style curves of the armchair, the print accentuates the distinctive silhouette with a classic Fornasetti flair.

Further elevating the look and feel, Poltrona Frau employs a technique similar to silk screen printing to digitally print the pattern with multiple screens. Often utilized in the making of leather accessories, this highly technical method allows the brand to replicate the precise lines and unique grayscale gradient on its Pelle Frau® Impact Less leather. To finish, the panels are fused together with brushed silver studs and black legs.

Speaking on the Vanity Fair XC Imagine Edition, Poltrona Frau global marketing and communications director Leonardo Allasia shares, “We reached out to Fornasetti because we fell in love with their atelier, and their philosophy that inspires the imagination – our brand theme of the year. A brand partnership rooted in our collective imagination and brought to life by our craft gave us the chance to create something truly unique to mark the launch of our collections in our Milan flagship store during Design Week, and set the basis for a long term relationship.”

The armchair will be previewed to the public alongside the 2024 Imagine Collection during Salone del Mobile at Poltrona Frau’s flagship store in Milan and at the VIP penthouse of Harrods London later this April, giving fans the chance to discover its bespoke craftsmanship and detailed design.

The Vanity Fair XC Imagine Edition will be limited to 50 units and will be available exclusively for pre-order in Europe on the Poltrona Frau’s website until April 10th, after which it will also be available for purchase at select Poltrona Frau stores worldwide.