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.
Pair of Lella and Massimo Vignelli Saratoga Chairs, 1960s
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Raleigh, NC
Pair of Saratoga chairs designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Poltronova, featuring the distinctive wraparound frame construction that defines th...
Leather, Lacquer
Massimo Vignelli Pair of "Intervista" Chairs in Vermillion Leather (1989)
By Poltrona Frau, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1989 by husband and wife design team Massimo and Lela Vignelli for Italian furniture maker Poltrona Frau, the Intervista chair is the modernist designers' interpretation ...
Leather, Upholstery
Club Lounge Chair by Massimo and Lella Vignelli
By Sunar, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Pasadena, TX
High back club lounge chairs Designed by Massimo & Lella Vignelli for Sunar 2 in black 1 in blue Plastic gliders This ad is for (1) chair
Fabric
H 36.03 in W 31.5 in D 33.47 in
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau Lounge Chair 'Dezza' in Light Blue Leather
By Gio Ponti, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau, lounge chair model ´Dezza´ nr. 48, leather, lacquered beech, metal, Italy, 1965. Stylish lounge chair designed by Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau. This cha...
Metal
H 29 in W 26.5 in D 27 in
Pair of "Barcelona" Chairs in Leather by Cisco Brothers
By Cisco Brothers
Located in San Diego, CA
A wonderful pair of "Barcelona" lounge chairs in leather by Cisco Brothers, circa 2010s. These stylish chairs with a great MCM look are in very good vintage condition and measure 26...
Iron
H 32.29 in W 28.75 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Danish Lounge Chairs, 1960s
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of lounge chairs on a smooth wooden frame with elegantly curved armrests and slatted backrests. The armchairs are each fitted with a seat and backrest cushion. The cushions have...
Fabric, Beech
H 30.5 in W 31.5 in D 27 in
Post Modern Memphis Style Club Lounge Chair by Bernhardt
By Bernhardt
Located in New York, NY
Pure 1980's Postmodern, memphis influence lounge, arm chair. Gutsy tapered legs support the dramatic upholstered seat. Structurally sound and sturdy, unfortunately, the fabric shows ...
Upholstery, Wood
H 36.03 in W 31.5 in D 33.47 in
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau Set of Four Lounge Chairs in Light Blue Leather
By Gio Ponti, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau, lounge chairs, model ´Dezza´ nr. 48, leather, lacquered wood, metal, Italy, 1965. Set of four stylish lounge chairs designed by Gio Ponti for Poltrona ...
Metal
H 29.25 in W 22 in D 20.5 in
Lella and Massimo Vignelli Handkerchief Chairs for Knoll, Set of Four
By Knoll, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Miami, FL
Black high-gloss lacquered Handkerchief chairs on black lacquered frames by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corpo...
Steel
H 25.99 in W 39.38 in D 34.26 in
Pair of Cubic Lounge Chairs in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of lounge chairs, black leather, wood, Northern Europe, 1980s The design of this pair of lounge chairs is characterized by a cubic frame. When seated you experience a pleasant ...
Leather, Wood
H 30.75 in W 22 in D 17.5 in
Pair of Post Modern Acorn Arm Chairs by Vignelli
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Sunar
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Clean, oversized pair of arm chairs by Vignelli. Simple, modern lines that allow for maximum versatiliy, use them in any design application. Across from a desk, at a game table, at...
Beech
H 23.63 in W 82.68 in D 35.44 in
Massimo and Lella Vignelli "Saratoga" Living Room Set Poltronova, 1960s
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
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 27.56 in W 59.06 in D 37.41 in
Divano 'Saratoga' di Lella e Massimo Vignelli per Poltronova, nero, Anni 2000
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Milano, IT
Divano a due posti con struttura in legno laccato nero, cuscini con imbottitura in espanso e rivestimento in pelle nera. Presente il marchio della manifattura 'Centro Studi Poltronov...
Leather, Wood
H 26.5 in W 32 in D 30 in
Leather Club Lounge Chair by Metropolitan Furniture Co.
By Metropolitan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Postmodern leather club chair by San Francisco, CA-based Metropolitan Furniture, c.1970's. The chair features the original plum colored leather with a rounded seat back. Dimensions ...
Leather
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 29 in W 32 in D 24 in
Pair of Rotunda Chairs by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Hauserman, 1979
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Sacramento, CA
Pair of 1979 postmodern purple Rotunda chairs, designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Hauserman. The chairs are in very good vintage condition, with minimal wear, consistent with...
Steel
H 24 in W 35.5 in D 35.5 in
Saratoga lounge chair by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova Italy 1960's
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Chicago, IL
Saratoga Chair by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova. Italy, 1960's White lacquered wood frame. Reupholstered in April 2024 in an off-white Knol...
Bouclé, Lacquer
H 27.5 in W 35.5 in D 35.5 in
Pair of Massimo & Lella Vignelli "Saratoga" Cube Chairs for Poltronova
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Long Island City, NY
Massimo and Lella Vignelli's "Saratoga" cube chair manufactured by Poltronova, Italy. The chair features a wood base that has a thick polyester lacquer and finished with brown distre...
Fabric, Acrylic, Wood
H 27.5 in W 35.5 in D 35.5 in
A Pair of Italian Modern Cube Chairs
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Pair of Italian Modern Cube Chairs. The chair features a wood base that has a thick polyester lacquer and newly reupholstered in vintage tapestry.
Leather, Acrylic, Wood
H 24 in W 35.5 in D 35.5 in
White 'Saratoga' Lounge Chairs by Massimo & Lella Vignelli for Poltron, Pair
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Pair of 'Saratoga' lounge chairs in polyester lacquer and red fabric seats by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova. Italy, 1964. This pair of lounge chairs named 'Saratoga...
Wood
H 24 in W 35.5 in D 35.5 in
Pair of Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova Saratoga Lounge Chairs
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Mid-century modern pair of "Saratoga" lacquered cube lounge chairs designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova circa 1960's. The lounge club chairs feature a thick lacquere...
Fabric, Wood
H 29 in W 23.25 in D 21 in
Set of Eight Vignelli for Knoll Stacking "Handkerchief" Chairs, Circa 1980s
By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Peabody, MA
A set of eight early production (1985) handkerchief chairs designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll. The one piece seats and back were intended to evoke a handkerchief in the...
Steel
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Massimo and Lella Vignelli Cube Chair "Saratoga", Italy, 1968
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Melbourne, VIC
Rare and beautiful pair of "Saratoga" cube chairs by Massimo and Lella Vignelli, made by Poltronova, Italy, 1968. Constructed of wood with a fiberglass shell in white lacqu...