Iconic Italian brands Fornasetti and Poltrona Frau launch their first collaboration—a limited-edition series of the Vanity Fair XC armchair. Set to debut during Milan Design Week 2024, the series is a visual tribute to the 2024 Poltrona Frau Imagine Collection that will be presented during Salone del Mobile.
The 50-piece series draws inspiration from Fornasetti’s extensive archives. The ethereal celestial illustration features a sun and moon rising over swirling clouds—originally conceptualized by brand founder Piero Fornasetti in the 1950s—and has been reinterpreted in a contemporary context by Barnaba Fornasetti, Piero's son and the brand’s current artistic director.
The chair itself dates back to 1930, inspired by Renzo Frau’s original designs. Officially titled ‘model 904,’ but known since 1984 as the Vanity Fair armchair, it has become a universal icon of Italian design. It remained a centerpiece of the brand’s collection until 2020 when the company celebrated the chair's 90th anniversary and asked designer Roberto Lazzeroni to adapt it for the 21st century.
Poltrona Frau used an innovative digital printing technique similar to silkscreening to transfer the intricate image onto leather for a unique, tactile sensation. The method, borrowed from the fashion industry, minimizes water and chemical usage. It’s the first time the brand has ever used this application.
Now available for pre-order online, each chair is individually numbered and comes with an exclusive leather clutch, a signed certificate of authenticity, and a special edition Vanity Fair XC leather keychain. They will be available in select Poltrona Frau stores in April.