Superb craftsmanship as delivered by Fritz Hansen
Behind the world famous Fritz Hansen brand is the story of a far-sighted family of Danish cabinetmakers who revolutionized the Scandinavian furniture industry, producing some of the world’s most revered design classics in the process.
Through creative partnerships with visionary designers and architects such as Arne Jacobsen, Hans J. Wegner and Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen has developed a corporate culture characterized by the love of good craftsmanship coupled with a desire to make the most of modern industrial production methods in the manufacturing and distribution of good design.
Even today, 135 years after the company was founded, this approach is a major reason for the continued commercial success of Fritz Hansen in the 21st century.
The fruitful partnership between Arne Jacobsen and Fritz Hansen has resulted in a long line of unique and revolutionary designs such as The 7 Chair, The Egg, The Swan and The Oxford Chair that all become part of a collection of furniture that receives immense international attention and enjoys widespread fame.
In the late 1960s Fritz Hansen moves the entire production to facilities in Allerød north of Copenhagen, and the partnership with Arne Jacobsen continues until his death in 1971.
Article continues after this advertisementConcurrently, Fritz Hansen expands the collection with models from leading designers such as architect Henning Larsen, the enfant terrible of Danish design Verner Panton, and, not least, poet/architect Piet Hein and Bruno Mathsson whose Superellipse table quickly becomes a classic.
Article continues after this advertisementThe legacy from Arne Jacobsen, Poul Kjærholm and Piet Hein is carried forward by talented designers such as Jaime Hayon, Kasper Salto, Morten Voss and international stars like Italian Piero Lissoni and German Jehs+Laub.
Also, several of the many classic Fritz Hansen models are revitalised these years through exciting projects with partners such as the Paul Smith fashion house and the award-winning Dutch designer Tord Boontje, Tal R and Lala Berlin.
This impressive history of Danish furniture innovation and technology is chronologically displayed at the Fritz Hansen HQ in Copenhagen.
Our Philippine media group was recently invited to visit the headquarters to further understand the development of the different collections and collaborations throughout the years.
Some of the icons include the Egg Chair designed by Arne Jacobsen along with the Swan, the Swan Sofa, and the Drop. These pieces were all designed for the SAS Royal Hotel at the center of Copenhagen.
Fritz Hansen’s master craftsman Hans Mannerhagen was in the showroom to showcase the genuine craftsmanship and premium quality of the Egg Chair.
Early this year, Studio Dimensione brought Hans to the Philippines to demonstrate the actual hand- stitching done for the Egg Chair. The stitching of the upholstery is made by hand.
According to him, two stitches will never be identical, but it follows the rhythm and cadence of the upholsterer.
An Egg in fabric has more than 500 handmade stitches and more than 1100 stitches in leather. Truly it only takes an original to make an original.
Today The Republic of Fritz Hansen is part of a small, exclusive array of luxury brands, and it fits in comfortably between other style icons such as Prada and Louis Vuitton. From The Museum of Modern Art and The Guggenheim Museum in New York to the Japanese embassy in Mongolia and the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi near the Arctic Circle, Fritz Hansen models stand as representatives of quality and world-class design.
Fritz Hansen employs a highly skilled staff of more than 200 people at its headquarters in Allerød, and the collection is distributed via exclusive showrooms in Tokyo, London, Stockholm, Oslo, New York, Amsterdam and Milan and through its global network of dedicated partners.
More information at: www.fritzhansen.com; Instagram: @fritzhansenstore_manila and @studiodimensioneph. Studio Dimensione’s newly renovated showroom of Fritz Hansen is located at G/F One Parkade 28th St. corner 7th St. BGC, Taguig City. Email: [email protected]