Vitra Sofas
Design house Vitra has garnered international recognition for more than 70 years — the Swiss family-owned furniture company has outfitted public spaces as well as residential properties and offices worldwide. It has been a proponent of modernist design since the 1950s. While the brand is heralded for its collaborations with mid-century modern icons such as Verner Panton, Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard and others, Vitra’s German campus is also home to buildings designed by legendary architects Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry. Among them is the Vitra Design Museum, an independent cultural institution that displays two centuries of design today.
Vitra was established in Weil Am Rhein, Germany, in 1950 by husband and wife team Willi and Erika Fehlbaum. On a trip to New York several years later, Willi Fehlbaum encountered the work of design polymaths Ray and Charles Eames in a furniture store and immediately knew that he had found his bliss.
In 1957, Vitra entered into a licensing agreement with Herman Miller, which saw the company producing designs by George Nelson, the Eameses and others. Later, Vitra partnered with Verner Panton and created the Panton chair, which was the first chair ever crafted from a single piece of molded plastic (it was also the first piece to be independently developed by Vitra). After 27 years of establishing the Vitra brand, the Fehlbaums passed control to their two sons, Rolf and Raymond Fehlbaum.
When a fire destroyed the factory in 1981, the brothers developed the Vitra Factory Campus, subsequently taking the opportunity to redirect the architectural landscape of the company. They created a masterplan with Nicholas Grimshaw, and together they erected four buildings in just a few short years.
In 1988, with the passing of Ray Eames and the disbandment of the Los Angeles Eames office, Rolf and Raymond acquired the furniture design portion of her estate, including the Eames prototypes and experimental models, housed today in the Vitra Design Museum.
Rolf and Roy opened the Vitra Design Museum in 1989. This began a period rich with design relationships, including collaborations with Antonio Citterio, Jasper Morrison, Maarten van Severen, Philippe Starck, Alberto Meda and others.
In 2012, leadership passed to Nora, the third generation of the Fehlbaums. Nora Fehlbaum has, like her grandparents, expanded the company and brought it into the 21st century with the acquisition of Finnish furniture manufacturer Artek. Nora has turned the company’s focus to sustainability yet still maintains its international and cultural relevance legacy.
Find a collection of Vitra lounge chairs, tables, side chairs, sofas and other furniture on 1stDibs.
2010s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vitra Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Vitra Sofas
Steel, Chrome
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra Sofas
Naugahyde
Early 2000s German Vitra Sofas
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra Sofas
Upholstery
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vitra Sofas
Leather, Canvas, Fiberglass
Early 2000s German Vitra Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra Sofas
Velvet
2010s Swiss Modern Vitra Sofas
Chrome
2010s Italian Modern Vitra Sofas
Metal
2010s German Modern Vitra Sofas
Steel
1980s German Modern Vintage Vitra Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Vitra Sofas
Fabric, Polystyrene, Foam, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary German Vitra Sofas
Leather
2010s European Vitra Sofas
Fabric
Vitra sofas for sale on 1stDibs.
- What is Vitra?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024Vitra is a Swiss family-owned furniture company. The husband-and-wife team, Willi and Erika Fehlbaum, established Vitra in Weil am Rhein, Germany, in 1950. For more than 70 years, it has outfitted public spaces as well as residential properties and offices worldwide. While the brand is heralded for its collaborations with mid-century modern icons such as Verner Panton, Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard and others, Vitra's German campus is also home to buildings designed by legendary architects Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Vitra furniture.
- Who makes Vitra?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Vitra is a furniture design company that was founded in 1950 by Willi and Erika Fehlbaum. Today, Vitra products are designed in collaboration with independent designers, architects and graphic artists and manufactured by the company. Shop a collection of Vitra furniture from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Is Vitra a good brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024Yes, Vitra is a good brand. Since the 1950s, the Swiss furniture company has partnered with iconic designers, such as Verner Panton, Charles and Ray Eames and Alexander Girard, to create pieces that boast intelligent and visually appealing designs. Online reviewers consistently praise the quality of Vitra's materials and craftsmanship. Shop a variety of Vitra furniture on 1stDibs.
- Is Vitra Swiss or German?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024Whether Vitra is Swiss or German is a matter of perspective. The husband and wife team that founded Vitra, Willi and Erika Fehlbaum, are Swiss, but they established the company in Weil am Rhein, Germany, in 1950. The couple had previously owned a shopfitting company in Basel, Switzerland, and conducted some of Vitra's business there. In 1956, Vitra moved to a location in Birsfelden, Switzerland, where its headquarters has remained ever since. However, Vitra continues to operate manufacturing facilities in Germany. As a result, you might say that Vitra is a Swiss company with strong ties to Germany. Shop a collection of Vitra furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022In Vitra's collection of home furnishings, RAR means the rocking armchair rod base. It refers to wooden rocker arms with angled metal rod legs. Vitra adds them to a number of plastic chairs originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames to create rocking chairs. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Eames furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024The height of a Vitra Standard chair is around 32.25 inches from the bottom of the legs to the top of the chair back. Its seat height is approximately 18.25 inches tall. Jean Prouvé originally designed the chair in 1934. Since then, the dining chair has evolved into one of the most famous classics of the French “constructeur.” The seat and backrest of this understated, iconic piece are available in various types of wood, and the metal frame comes in different colors. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of Vitra Standard chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 20, 2024To tell if a Vitra chair is real, turn it over. Under the seat or base, you will find a name on a sticker, label or stamped directly on the piece. You can find images of authentic Vitra marks on trusted online resources and then compare them to those on your item to assess its authenticity. Next, research the specific type of chair that you have and learn about its key characteristics, such as its crafting techniques, materials and dimensions. You can use these traits as criteria for authenticating your chair. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer inspect your chair for you. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of Vitra chairs.