Letizia armchair by Poltrona Frau, in leather or fabric, with sinuous lines inspired by 1950s design

Letizia | Armchair

Gastone Rinaldi

Starting from
€ 2.505

The seat is welcoming and comfortable. The backrest gains new elasticity. The supports, slender and streamlined, are well balanced with the shell. Steel structure with molded expanded polyurethane padding. Elastic webbing provides suspension for both the seat and the backrest. The Letizia armchair features feet available in various finishes and can be upholstered in Pelle Frau® leather or in removable fabric.

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Letizia | Armchair

Gastone Rinaldi
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Concept and Design

Elegance, style, 1950’s atmospheres: the Letizia armchair embodies the creative ferment of an age. An icon of style which has retained the power of its designer’s successful intuition over time. Designed in 1954 by Gastone Rinaldi under the name DU55P, Letizia is now reissued by Poltrona Frau. With its sensual and soft lines and its solid and void effects, Letizia is a graceful addition to any setting, providing a touch of sophisticated lightness.

gastone rinaldi
Designed by
Gastone Rinaldi

Gastone Rinaldi was born in Padua on 16 November 1920. In 1916 his father Mario had established RIMA, a company for the production of metal furniture. Gastone enrolled in the Faculty of Economics, but he was passionate about design and sport (as a footballer, he went as far as playing with Cremona, at the time very strong, and as a racing car driver, he took part in the legendary Thousand Mile race). In 1948, together with his brother Giorgio, he took over from his father in managing the business. He met Gio Ponti and in 1950 he designed the chairs (DU10 and DU11) for the Hospital Section of the IX Milan Triennial. At the same Triennial, the DU9 chair was also presented. Domus published his creations regularly.

 

In 1952, he attended the XXX Milano Fair in the section curated by Alberto Rosselli, Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanuso. The armchairs for the Piccolo theatre of Milan followed, with Zanuso. In 1954, he won the Compasso d’Oro for the chair DU30. He participated with Ponti, Parisi, De Carli and Gardella in the American adventure of Altamira, one of the first companies across the ocean to call Italian designers. He therefore worked with Carlo Mollino on the chairs for the Molinette Hospital of Turin. In 1957, the armchair DU41 won the silver medal at the XI Triennial. However the internal relations within RIMA became complex and in 1974 Rinaldi established Thema. In 1978, he obtained a nomination for the Compasso d’Oro for the armchair Arianna and in 1981 another for the folding chair Dafne. Thema closed in 1989, Gastone Rinaldi died in Padua on 02 March 2006.

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The Letizia Armchair is a seating piece that naturally captures the charm of the 1950s, bringing a rare sense of visual lightness to contemporary interiors through its soft curves, carefully balanced proportions, and details that do not need to be ostentatious to be appreciated. It is a particularly appealing choice for those seeking an elegant armchair for refined living spaces, a compact yet welcoming seat, and a piece of furniture capable of adding character without overwhelming the room.

 

In the living room, the Letizia Armchair finds its ideal place beside a linear sofa, next to a low table, in a reading corner, or within a more elaborate conversation area. Its lightweight structure and the balance between solid and open elements make it especially attractive for those looking for a designer armchair for living rooms that may not be particularly large, yet still require a furnishing with presence and personality. In interiors where every element must be selected with care, Letizia helps create an atmosphere that feels sophisticated, welcoming, and thoughtfully curated.

 

Its distinctive design identity makes it perfect for those who appreciate a contemporary interpretation of Mid-Century style. It is not a nostalgic or purely decorative armchair; rather, it is a design that engages naturally with modern, soft-luxury, modern-classic, and eclectic interiors, bringing a recognizable character without ever feeling heavy-handed. In this sense, it is particularly suited to those seeking an armchair with vintage-inspired charm and contemporary functionality, capable of fitting seamlessly into carefully designed homes, city apartments, private studies, or elegant second residences.

 

The Letizia Armchair also performs beautifully as a reading chair or relaxation seat, especially for those who wish to create an elegant and well-proportioned retreat within the home. Its welcoming seat and flexible backrest foster a softer, more natural relationship with the body, making it appealing not only as an object of beauty but also as a piece to be enjoyed every day. In a spacious bedroom, a home library, or a private corner of the living room, it can become a perfect balance between comfort and style.

 

Thanks to the option of upholstery in either leather or fabric, Letizia can adapt to different atmospheres and aesthetic preferences. In leather, it takes on a more assertive and sophisticated character, ideal for those seeking a statement armchair with a stronger presence. In fabric, it becomes softer, warmer, and more inviting, making it perfect for those who desire an elegant seat with a more relaxed and tactile appeal. This dual nature makes it particularly attractive to those who want to tailor the relationship between the armchair and the surrounding furnishings with precision.

 

The Letizia Armchair can also find a place in high-end professional and hospitality environments. In an intimate lobby, a lounge, a suite, an executive office, or a carefully designed waiting area, it fulfills the need for seating that is light, elegant, and memorable, adding value to the environment without introducing rigidity. It is an ideal choice for those who wish to communicate taste, attention to detail, and a strong design culture, particularly in spaces where hospitality must feel refined rather than formal.

 

In terms of the people it appeals to, Letizia resonates strongly with those who appreciate the grace of soft forms, furnishings that bring lightness to a room, and designs that manage to be iconic without becoming intrusive. It is an armchair for those who seek a measured presence, who wish to create sophisticated interiors without relying on excess, and who believe that quality design is expressed through proportion even before it is revealed through detail.

 

In residential settings, Letizia can become the ideal finishing touch for an elegant living room, an important bedroom, or a distinguished entrance hall. In professional or contract environments, it can be used to enhance the character of a space while maintaining a strong sense of openness and visual lightness. In both cases, it responds perfectly to the desire for a compact armchair with a strong sense of quality, a seat that furnishes without overwhelming, and an object capable of giving a distinctive identity to its surroundings with remarkable ease.

 

The Letizia Armchair is therefore a particularly compelling choice for those seeking a seat that captures the charm of the 1950s while remaining entirely contemporary, a refined balance between comfort and lightness, and an armchair capable of bringing style, restraint, and hospitality to high-end residential or professional environments.