Massimo Vignelli and Lella Vignelli’s legacy can be seen everywhere in the logos of Bloomingdale’s, Ford and American Airlines, among others. In addition to their work in branding, they were prolific creators of modernist home furnishings, products and interiors, and the duo’s collaborations, which span 50 years, have left a profound mark on design and wider visual culture.
After meeting in Italy, Lella (1934–2016) and Massimo (1931–2014) began working together in 1961 and a decade later formed Vignelli Associates in New York. A self-described “information architect,” Massimo was committed to streamlining complex ideas into clear, visually arresting forms. (Witness the graphic identity that he cocreated with Bob Noorda for the New York City Transit Authority as well as his influential 1972 subway map.) The Vignellis’ most recognizable piece, for example, may be the Handkerchief chair, a stackable office chair made of compression-molded plastic that has the look of a cloth floating in air. It was created for Knoll in 1983 after they designed the brand’s logo.
Evidence of the couple’s influence can also be found in their Saratoga line (1964), the first collection of lacquered furniture, which helped herald in the trendy “glossy” look of the decade (and beyond). When the Vignellis created the Poltrona Frau Interview chair in 1988 for an Italian television station, it became widely sought after, “which goes to show you the power of the TV media,” the couple once said. Much like their elemental graphic designs, the Kono (1984) and Pisa tables (1985) — both created for Casigliani — cull the form of the table down to geometric shapes.
Vignelli furniture is often labeled as Massimo Vignelli’s alone, though he fought to have Lella recognized for her work, even throwing away magazines that neglected to give her due credit. As he wrote of their lifelong collaboration in his book Designed By: Lella Vignelli: “It is not holding a pencil with four hands that makes a partnership; it is sharing the creative act and exercising creative criticism which is reflected in the end result.”
Find vintage Massimo and Lella Vignelli seating, tables and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
Massimo & Lella Vignelli Black Saratoga Living Room Set by Poltronova 1960s
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Saratoga living room set composed by a three-seater sofa, two-seater sofa, two armchairs and a low table with a structure in black lacquered wood, padded leather cushions and metal d...
Metal
Saratoga Living Set in Black Lacquer and Silk Velvet Upholstery, 1969
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Cheyenne, WY
Designed by Italian couple Massimo and Lella Vignelli, this striking Saratoga Living set manifests uninhibited cool, its rigid lines juxtaposed against sumptuous lacquered surfaces a...
Silk, Velvet, Lacquer
Massimo and Lella Vignelli "Saratoga" Living Room Set Poltronova, 1960s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Padova, IT
Exceptional Saratoga set designed by Massimo and Lella Vignella, produced by Poltronova, Italy 1960s. A beautiful living room set composed of two sofas (three-seater/two-seater) and...
Leather, Wood
H 29.53 in W 75.6 in D 35.44 in
1960s Rare Living Room Oak Set, Finland
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered In quality 100% recycled KIRGBY fabric. - Wooden parts have been carefully refurbished. - The dimesnions of the chairs : height 75cm, seat height 44cm, width: ...
Fabric, Wood
H 27.96 in W 76.38 in D 32.29 in
Midcentury Italian Lacquer Brass Living Room Set by Romeo Rega, 1970s
By Romeo Rega
Located in Paris, IDF
This three elements living room set from the Mid-Century Modern Italian Riviera period designed by Romeo Rega is bursting with nostalgia. With its impeccable design, perfect proporti...
Brass
H 27.17 in W 33.47 in D 94.49 in
Saporiti Italia Confidential Sofa, Armchair and Ottoman Living Room Set, 1970s
By Saporiti
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This living room set is from Italian manufacture Saporiti Italia and the model is confidential design by Alberto Rosselli. It consist a 3-seat sofa, an armchair and a rare ottoman. ...
Upholstery, Plastic, Leather
H 28.35 in W 94.49 in D 33.47 in
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Living Room Set for B&B Italia, 1971, Set of 3
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" living room set for B&B Italia, sofa and two armchairs, faux-fur, foam and metal, Italy, 1971, set of three. The search for a new shape for upholstered fu...
Faux Fur, Foam
H 23.63 in W 82.68 in D 31.5 in
Complete Living Room Sofa and Armchairs Design Sergio Asti for Poltronova, 1962
By Poltronova, Sergio Asti
Located in taranto, IT
Splendid living room with sofa and pair of armchairs, "zelda" model, designed by sergio asti for poltronova in 1962 The sofa measures 210 cm in length, 80 cm in depth and 60 cm in...
Leather, Wood
H 35.04 in W 23.23 in D 26.38 in
Set of 10 black lacquered green velvet Arches dining chairs by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Best Chair Design at the International Design & Architecture Awards 2021 Honorable Mention at the European Product Design Awards 2021 The Arches dining chair is designed in the ...
Brass, Metal
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
Gianfranco Frattini Ocher Velvet Sesann Living Room Set for Cassina, 1972
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Sesann dining room set, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1970 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina. It is composed of a three-seater sofa and an armchair. It features o...
Chrome
H 35.04 in W 23.23 in D 26.38 in
Set of 6 black lacquered green velvet beech Arches dining chairs by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Best Chair Design at the International Design & Architecture Awards 2021 Honorable Mention at the European Product Design Awards 2021 The Arches dining chair is designed in the ...
Brass, Metal
H 23.63 in W 106.7 in D 37.01 in
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for 'Saratoga' Sofa Reupholstered in Beige Velvet
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, 'Saratoga' four-seat sofa, velvet, polyester lacquered wood, Italy, 1964. This four-seat sofa named 'Saratoga' is designed by Italian desi...
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
Gianfranco Frattini Brown Alpaca Velvet Sesann Living Room Set for Cassina, 1972
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Sesann living room set, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1972 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina. The set is composed of a three-seater sofa and three armchairs. It ...
Chrome
H 35.04 in W 23.23 in D 26.38 in
Set of 12 black lacquered green velvet Arches dining chairs by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Best Chair Design at the International Design & Architecture Awards 2021 Honorable Mention at the European Product Design Awards 2021 The Arches dining chair is designed in the ...
Metal, Brass
H 32.68 in W 59.85 in D 31.5 in
Living room set by Mobilgirgi, 1970s
By Mobil Girgi
Located in Buzzò, Emilia-Romagna
Experience the fusion of wood and velvet from the 1970s, with this exclusive living room set by Mobilgirgi. The set is composed of 1 sofa (depth: 80cm x width: 152cm x height: 83cm) ...
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
H 24.02 in W 35.44 in D 82.68 in
Massimo and Lella Vignelli 'Saratoga' Living Room Set
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, Saratoga living room set, wood and red leather, Italy, 1964. This living room set named 'Sartoga' is designed by Italian designer couple ...
Leather, Wood
H 24.02 in W 118.12 in D 118.12 in
Italian Modern Saratoga Living Room Set, M. and L. Vignelli for Poltronova 1980s
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post modern black lacquered wood and brown leather Saratoga living room set by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, 1980s Living room in black lacquered wood and brown leather cushions, Saratoga model, composed of a three-seater sofa, a two-seater sofa, an armchair, a luminous container bar table, a coffee table at armrest height and a half-height coffee table central. Project by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, around 1980. Good condition, cushions in vintage condition but with good padding. A small white scratch is present on the three-seater sofa, another small on the bar table. Three-seater sofa measures in cm 210 x 90 x 61 H and seat height 40 cm Two seater sofa measures in cm 149 x 90 x 61 H Armchair measures in cm 90 x 89 x 61 H Measures high coffee table 90...
Leather, Wood
H 23.63 in W 106.3 in D 35.44 in
Massimo and Lella Vignelli "Saratoga" Living Room Set Poltronova, 1960s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Padova, IT
Exceptional Saratoga set designed by Massimo and Lella Vignella, produced by Poltronova, Italy 1960s. A beautiful living room set composed of two sofas (three-seater/four-seater), a ...
Leather, Wood
H 35.44 in W 82.68 in D 23.63 in
Lella & Massimo Vignelli Saratoga Living Room Set Poltronova, 1960s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Cascina, Pisa
A beautiful living room set composed of two sofas (three-seater/two-seater) one armchair and a chest of drawers model Saratoga. The sofas and the armchair present a black lacquered w...
Leather, Wood
H 35.44 in W 82.68 in L 35.44 in
Massimo Vignelli Black and Cognac Leather Saratoga Living Room Set
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Dronten, NL
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 'Saratoga' living room set, black lacquered wood and cognac leather, Italy, 1964. This set of two-seater sofa, three-seater sofa and sofa...
Wood
H 27.56 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Massimo and Lella Vignelli "Saratoga" Set
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Melbourne, VIC
The complete living collection of “Saratoga” by Poltronova designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli – A rare collector set. The “Saratoga” is one of the first examples of Modern Living...