Vanity Fair | Armchair

Renzo Frau

The supporting structure of the Vanity Fair armchair is made from solid seasoned beech. The padding uses both hand-shaped vegetable horsehair and rubberised horsehair and the seat cushion is in goose down. The seat, backrest and armrest spring system consists of hand-tied steel biconical springs attached to jute belts. A row of leather-covered pins refines the back and sides of the armchair. The upholstery is available in Pelle Frau® leather or fabric. Numbered edition series with a 24kt gold-plated label.

Vanity Fair | Armchair

Renzo Frau
Loading
Loading
Proceed with selection
Visuals shown are for illustration purposes only. Actual finish and/or pattern may vary due to unique characteristics of natural raw materials

Armchair version

Upholstery Info

Concept and Design

Officially called “model 904” but known, since 1984, as Vanity Fair, over time this seat has become the emblem of Poltrona Frau. It is thought that the project, which first went into production in 1930, was developed on the basis of designs that Renzo Frau left his wife, Savina. The deliberately volumetric configuration of the Vanity Fair armchair saw it become one of the universal icons of Italian design. Also available in a “baby” version, exactly two thirds the size of the original, Vanity Fair is also a comfortable pouf.

Designed by
Renzo Frau

Lorenzo Frau, known as ‘Renzo’, was born in Cagliari in 1881. He left Sardinia for military service in Milan, which he completed successfully earning the title of lieutenant. He married Savina Pisati and moved to Turin, at the time a real hub of Italian culture. He initially worked as a sales representative for Gribaudi and then for Dermoide Patent, manufacturer of faux leather. Having moved to Great Britain for work, he was able to discover the Chesterfield model armchairs and immediately imagined its potential, successfully starting to import it into Italy. At the same time, however, he was also attracted by the models of French and Central European style. He therefore decided to create his own artisan production laboratory. It was 1912: Poltrona Frau was created. From the initial work ‘in style’, Frau quickly moved onto direct design. Poltrona Frau became not only a production pole, but also a meeting point for artists and intellectuals. Renzo Frau used these relations to consolidate the brand image: successful models ensued quickly, one after the other. As the First World War broke out, Frau was called to fight for his country and his wife Savina bravely took up the reins of the company. Frau’s armchairs thus began entering the most important buildings, also used by the royal family. Renzo Frau met an early death in 1926. He left an extensive archive of projects that would allow his wife to coherently pursue Poltrona Frau production in the years to come.

Coverings and finishes