Poltrona Frau Info

Poltrona Frau is a century‑old Italian brand, founded in Turin in 1912 by Renzo Frau, and now based in Tolentino in the Marche region. The name combines “poltrona” (armchair) and the founder’s surname, originally inspired by English Chesterfield sofas, which Frau adapted for Italian taste with plissé pleating and deep tufting, innovations that immediately resonated with Italy’s bourgeois elite. Today, about 95% of its pieces are still crafted by hand, and the brand uses an extensive tanning process ensuring full‑grain leather that maintains its integrity even when scratched. The hallmark Pelle Frau® leather, along with premium woods, metals and marble, underpins the brand’s unwavering commitment to “Made in Italy” quality, sustainability and timeless design. Poltrona Frau collaborates with top designers like Gio Ponti, Jean‑Marie Massaud, Roberto Lazzeroni and others to create enduring classics like the Vanity Fair armchair, Chester sofa and bespoke collections for residential, custom interiors and Interiors in Motion such as automotive and yacht seating. Since 2014, the Haworth Group has held a controlling interest, integrating Poltrona Frau into a design collective that includes Cassina and others under the Lifestyle Design Group. In 2012, it opened the Poltrona Frau Museum in Tolentino to showcase its heritage and artisanal leather techniques. As a global leader, the brand balances tradition, sustainability and innovation, remaining a benchmark of Italian craftsmanship and aesthetic sophistication.