Take a Seat
Images: Vitsœ.
Vitsœ is a 60-year-old British company known for its continuous production of Dieter Rams’ original furniture. After years of research Vitsœ has announced that it is adding linen upholstery to its 620 chair range, or 'Chair Programme' in Viscoe's words. Designed by Rams for Vitsœ in 1962 the chair is a kit of parts (like its sibling the 606 Shelving System), meaning you can start with a single chair but add a seat or two whenever you need, to make a sofa.
Produced in leather since day one, customers around the globe can contact Vitsœ years after purchasing to replace all, or part, of their upholstery in the comfort of their own home. In offering this service, Vitsœ has stuck doggedly to a limited palette of upholstery colours, which remain always available to customers. In recent years Vitsœ’s move to its purpose-built production building in Royal Leamington Spa, combined with new machine-technologies and outstanding craftsmanship, has enabled great strides to be made in the production quality and accuracy of the chair programme. The arrival of linen is a direct result of these advances – and is a natural response to requests for an alternative to leather.
Image: A flax bale. Photo: CELC (Confederation of Flax and Hemp)
Typically for Vitsœ the linen is offered in only four colours to help ensure longevity of supply. The undyed flax comes with the knowledge that the colour will vary from season to season, depending on the harvest conditions that year – just like a fine wine. Marie-Emmanuelle Belzung, the secretary general and development director, CELC (European Confederation of Flax and Hemp) endorsed Vitsœ’s new linen, saying: “European-grown and woven linen guarantees quality, traceability and responsible production. Flax, the source of linen, is an eco-friendly crop that is waste-free and supremely versatile, values that Vitsœ shares in its design and production ethos. The inclusion of linen upholstery perfectly complements the 620 chair; it is handsome, durable, comfortable and timeless.”
For more information visit www.vitsoe.com