Du 55 armchair by Poltrona Frau, Gastone Rinaldi design, Pelle Frau® leather, curved shell, moulded polyurethane foam, conical steel feet with brass or teak finish, Italian elegance

Du 55 | Armchair

Gastone Rinaldi

Starting from
€ 4.131

The structure of the Du 55 armchair is made of steel, with molded expanded polyurethane padding. The seat and backrest suspension is achieved through elastic webbing. The feet, made of tapered tubular steel, are available in various finishes. Du 55 can be upholstered in Pelle Frau® leather or in removable fabric.

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Du 55 | Armchair

Gastone Rinaldi
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Visuals shown are for illustration purposes only. Actual finish and/or pattern may vary due to unique characteristics of natural raw materials

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Concept and Design

The rounded geometries, the study of the thicknesses and padding, and the relationship between solids and voids led Gastone Rinaldi to design a chair brimming with personality in 1954. The Du 55 armchair communicates formal consistency, originality and elegance at first glance. The curved shell and slender fleet guarantee stability and comfort for a relaxing and welcoming seat.

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 DU 55 armchair by Poltrona Frau, designed by Gastone Rinaldi, is a seating piece that expresses personality, comfort, and sophistication through an immediately recognizable design language. Its rounded geometries, generous volumes, and balanced relationship between soft surfaces and slender legs create an image that is elegant without feeling heavy. This makes it ideal for those seeking a statement armchair that remains harmonious within a space, adding character without creating visual clutter.

 

It is a particularly suitable choice for thoughtfully designed living rooms, conversation areas, and lounges where enveloping comfort is paired with iconic presence. Its welcoming shape invites relaxed seating, making it perfect for reading, conversation, or simply taking a moment to unwind in a carefully curated environment. In a contemporary living space, the DU 55 can function as a striking standalone piece or as part of a pair, helping to define a more intimate and sophisticated seating area.

 

Its distinctive silhouette also makes it especially appealing for those looking to create an elegant and well-defined reading corner. Positioned beside a floor lamp, a low table, or a bookcase, it helps create a small domestic architecture dedicated to quiet moments. In this type of arrangement, the armchair is more than just a seat—it becomes a point of balance between physical comfort and visual quality, ideal for interiors designed to convey calm, order, and a strong sense of identity.

 

In a professional office, private room, or executive setting, the DU 55 responds to the need to communicate authority with warmth. It lacks the rigid appearance often associated with purely formal seating, instead offering a refined and measured presence that adapts well to environments where hospitality and image must coexist. For this reason, it can be an effective solution for executive offices, upscale waiting areas, private lounges, and meeting spaces.

 

Its reinterpretation of mid-century design makes it perfect for those who appreciate contemporary interiors enriched by historical references, where every furnishing contributes to a coherent narrative. The DU 55 pairs naturally with marble side tables, wooden surfaces, textured rugs, and sculptural lighting, creating continuity between design heritage and modern sensibilities. In minimalist environments, it adds warmth and depth; in more layered interiors, it introduces order and a clearly defined visual presence.

 

The available upholstery options also allow the project to move in different stylistic directions. Leather emphasizes the armchair’s more distinctive, refined, and tactile character, making it ideal for those seeking timeless elegance and a rich sensory experience. Fabric, on the other hand, can introduce a softer and more residential tone, perfect for those who prefer a brighter, more relaxed, or informal atmosphere. This versatility makes it equally suitable for private residences and contract projects where maintaining a precise aesthetic identity is essential.

 

The DU 55 also finds a natural place in a primary bedroom or luxury suite. It can accompany a dedicated reading corner, serve as a high-end occasional chair, or complete the room with an element that conveys private comfort and understated luxury. In boutique hotels and premium hospitality settings, it is an ideal solution for those who wish to offer a more personal and welcoming experience than standard seating can provide.

 

The DU 55 armchair is therefore particularly well suited to those seeking more than simply a beautiful armchair. It is designed for people who appreciate enveloping forms, carefully crafted details, strong design identity, and everyday comfort, while wishing to introduce into their space a piece that will remain relevant and appealing for years to come.