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 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
$4,468Sale Price|20% Off
'Saratoga' sofa by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Poltronova, black, 2000s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Milano, IT
Two-seater sofa with black lacquered wooden frame, cushions with foam padding and black leather upholstery. The manufacture's trademark 'Poltronova Study Center' is present.
Leather, Wood
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 'Saratoga' Two-Seater Sofa
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, 'Saratoga' two-seat sofa, polyester lacquered wood, leather, Italy, 1964. This two-seat sofa named 'Saratoga' is designed by Italian desig...
Leather, Polyester
Massimo Vignelli Black-on-Black Saratoga Sofa, Poltronova, Italy, 1964
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Dronten, NL
An exceptional and rare black-on-black edition of the Saratoga sofa, designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova in 1964. A landmark of 20th-century design, the Saratoga co...
Leather, Wood
$8,747Sale Price|20% Off
Sofa "Saratoga" Poltronova 70s White frame and light blue velvet cushions
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Milano, MI
The Saratoga Sofa was launched by Poltronova in 1964 from a design by Lella and Massimo Vignelli. Geometric wooden frame lacquered in white polyester with seats and backs reupholster...
Velvet, Wood
$9,270Sale Price / set|35% Off
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
Italian modern white wood leather sofa Saratoga by Vignelli Poltronova 1980s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern white wood and brown leather sofa Saratoga by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, 1980s Three seater sofa Saratoga with seat and backrest, composed of cushions ...
Leather, Wood
Italian modern white wood leather sofa Saratoga by Vignelli Poltronova 1980s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern white wood and brown leather sofa Saratoga by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, 1980s Two seater sofa Saratoga with seat and backrest, composed of cushions in...
Leather, Wood
Sold|$8,319
H 31.11 in W 80.71 in D 41.34 in
Verner Panton per VerPan Divano Rosso "Cloverleaf", Danimarca 2000s
By Verpan, Verner Panton
Located in Naples, IT
Iconico divano modulare Mod. Cloverleaf, disegnato da Verner Panton e prodotto dal marchio danese Verpan. Verner Panton progettò il divano modulare Cloverleaf nel 1969, sfidando i co...
Fabric
$7,036Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Vintage 70s brown leatherette sofa
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
3-seater sofa with foam padding and leatherette upholstery.
Plastic
Poltronova, Sofa, Pine, Fabric, Italy, 1970s
By Poltronova
Located in High Point, NC
A Russian pine and yellow fabric designed by Poltronova, Italy, 1970s. Vintage fabric presents with light staining as illustrated. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimen...
Fabric, Pine
$10,696 / set
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
2000s Royalton Two-Seater Sofa by Philippe Starck for Driade in Fabric
By Philippe Starck
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Royalton Sofa, designed by Philippe Starck and produced by Driade shortly after the design's introduction in 1988. In the late 1980s, Starck was approached by hotelier Ian ...
Steel, Aluminum
Ettore Sottsass model "Califfo" sofa for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Skokie, IL
Ettore Sottsass model "Califfo" sofa for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s– Newly Upholstered Discover a timeless piece of design history with the Ettore Sottsass Califfo...
Wood, Upholstery
$27,000 / set
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
$5,229Sale Price / set|60% Off
H 27.96 in W 51.97 in D 32.29 in
Midcentury Italian Lacquer Brass Living Room Set by Romeo Rega, 1970s
By Romeo Rega
Located in Paris, IDF
This two 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 proportion...
Brass
$3,850
H 33 in W 96 in D 47 in
Vintage MCM Bruno Munari Style Curved Italian Sofa Newly Reupholstered in Velvet
By Bruno Munari
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Mid Century Modern Bruno Munari Style Curved Italian Sofa on Brushed Brass Legs Newly Reupholstered in Italian Plush Camel Mohair Velvet This exquisite vintage Mid Century M...
Metal, Brass
$1,950Sale Price / set|22% Off
H 29.25 in W 22 in D 20.5 in
Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Intl 'Handkerchief' Set w Unique Provenance, Signed
By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli, Massimo and Lella Vignelli, David Law
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic Post-Modern design by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll International is called the 'Handkerchief' stacking chair, labelled underneath with early production (original) year labels. Great for stacking when you need more open space in the room and easy to unstack when you have guests. Perfect for those who require versatility in their space. Priced as a set of five (5). Unique provenance on this set - as it was ordered by David Law who worked with Vignelli Associates and participated in many of the designs they created for Knoll and Acerbis including the Serenissimo Table...
Steel
Custom George Smith 2000s Black Tufted Leather Sofa
By George Smith
Located in New York, NY
An original custom made soft mottled black leather tufted with brass tacks and mahogany wood legs by famed bespoke British furniture maker, George Smith. Original label. Excellent co...
Leather, Hardwood
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
Sold
H 25.99 in W 118.12 in D 94.49 in
'Saratoga' Living Room Set by Lella and Massimo Vignelli Poltronova 1970s-80s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of sofas, one two-seater and one three-seater, 'Saratoga' model with black lacquered wooden frame, newly reupholstered cushions with foam padding and fabric upholstery in shades...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 23.63 in W 106.3 in D 37.41 in
Huge “Saratoga” 4 seater sofa by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 60s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Padova, IT
Thanks to a scholarship obtained in 1958, Lella studied Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology school of architecture and worked as a junior designer in the presti...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 106.7 in
Saratoga living room set designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Piacenza, Italy
The Saratoga living room set, designed by Massimo and Lella Vignella and produced by Poltronova, Italy, in the 1960s, is an iconic example of modular and modern design. The set inclu...
Leather, Wood
Massimo & Lella Vignelli Circolo Sofa for Sunar
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Greensboro, NC
Scarce Vignelli Circolo Sofa, produced by Sunar. Retains original tag. Via the Vignelli Center: "This comfy lounge chair was designed by Lella Vignelli. Although officially marketed...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 26.5 in W 106.5 in D 37 in
4-Seat 'Saratoga' Sofa by Massimo & Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, 1960s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Coronado, CA
A stunning "Saratoga" sofa designed by Massimo & Lella Vignelli and manufactured by Poltronova in the 1960s. This example is particularly special as it is a very rare, custom 4-seat ...
Leather, Foam, Wood
Sold
H 24.02 in W 58.67 in D 35.44 in
Italian modern wood leather Saratoga sofa Massimo Lella Vignelli Poltronova 1980
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Massimo Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern glossy black lacquered wood and brown leather Saratoga sofa by Massimo and Lella Vignelli, for Poltronova, 1980s. Wide two-seater sofa, Saratoga model, with a square s...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 24.02 in W 59.06 in D 35.44 in
Divano "Saratoga" - Massimo e Lella Vignelli per Poltronova - Italia - Anni '60
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Milano, IT
Il divano 2 posti proposto è un esemplare del celebre modello “Saratoga” progettato da Massimo e Lella Vignelli nel 1964. Questo pezzo iconico di desig...
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 24.02 in W 82.68 in D 35.44 in
Divano "Saratoga" - Massimo e Lella Vignelli per Poltronova - Italia - Anni '60
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Milano, IT
Il divano proposto è un esemplare del celebre modello “Saratoga” progettato da Massimo e Lella Vignelli nel 1964. Questo pezzo iconico di design italia...
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 23.63 in W 82.68 in D 35.44 in
Saratoga Sofa Set by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, Italy, 1968
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Melbourne, VIC
The Saratoga sofa, designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, is a modernist masterpiece. The sofa features a bold, cubic form that is both elegant and functional, adding...
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 28 in W 83 in D 35.5 in
Massimo Vignelli, Poltronova, Mid-Century Modern Saratoga Sofas, Lacquer, Fabric
By Massimo Vignelli, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Stamford, CT
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, pair of 'Saratoga' three-seat sofas, Polyester Lacquer and Fabric, Italy, 1964 Priced per the pair. You may purchase one if only one is ne...
Lacquer
Sold
H 23.63 in W 59.06 in D 35.44 in
divano vintage anni 60 Saratoga design Lella & Massimo Vignanelli Poltronova
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in None, IT
Divano a due posti con struttura in legno nero lucido e seduta in pelle arancione. Modello Saratoga, design Lella & massimo Vignanelli per Poltronova, anni 60. CONDIZIONI: In buone ...
Leather, Wood