Vitra
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.
1960s Swiss Space Age Vintage Vitra
Upholstery, Wood
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Abalone, Wool, Fiberglass
Late 20th Century American Modern Vitra
Steel
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Fiberglass
Early 2000s German Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Aluminum
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary German Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary German Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Steel
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Metal
Early 2000s German Post-Modern Vitra
Metal
Early 2000s European Post-Modern Vitra
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary German Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary German Vitra
Leather
Early 2000s Swiss Modern Vitra
Fabric, Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Steel
1990s German Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Steel
1990s Swiss Modern Vitra
Leather, Plastic
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary German Vitra
Stainless Steel
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Aluminum, Chrome
1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Metal, Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Vitra
Acrylic
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Metal, Steel
1990s Swiss Modern Vitra
Leather, Plastic
1940s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Metal
2010s German Modern Vitra
Aluminum
Early 2000s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Aluminum
20th Century British Vitra
Plywood, Leather
Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Plastic
Late 20th Century German Vitra
Birch, Plywood
1970s Canadian Organic Modern Vintage Vitra
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Steel
1970s German Vintage Vitra
Fabric
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Plastic
2010s European Vitra
Fabric
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Aluminum, Chrome
Late 20th Century Italian Organic Modern Vitra
Leather
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Plastic
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Chrome
1940s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Plastic
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Steel
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Fiberglass
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Zinc
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Zinc
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Steel
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Steel
Late 20th Century German Vitra
Chrome
1980s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Metal
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vitra
Aluminum
20th Century English Modern Vitra
Chrome
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Vitra
Aluminum
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Creators Similar to Vitra
- 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.