Renzo Frau

Background

Lorenzo "Renzo" Frau was born in Cagliari, Sardinia, in 1881. He completed his military service in Milan, earning the rank of lieutenant, married Savina Pisati and moved to Turin, then a hub of Italian culture. He worked as a sales representative for Gribaudi and then for Dermoide Patent, a maker of faux leather. A period working in Great Britain introduced him to the Chesterfield armchair, which he began importing into Italy.

Signature Style

Attracted also by French and Central European models, Frau opened his own artisan workshop in 1912, founding Poltrona Frau. He soon moved from work "in style" to direct design, producing upholstered armchairs and sofas built on traditional techniques. His workshop became a meeting point for artists and intellectuals, and his armchairs entered the most important buildings, including those used by the royal family.

Notable Works

• Vanity Fair armchair ("model 904", in production from 1930)
• 1919 armchair
• Chester sofa and Chester Line sofa and ottoman
• Vanity Fair ottoman

Legacy

During the First World War Frau served his country while Savina ran the company. He died early, in 1926, leaving an extensive archive of projects that allowed his wife to continue Poltrona Frau's production. The Vanity Fair, developed from those designs, became the emblem of the company he founded.