Poltrona Frau’s fashion forward collaboration with the veteran Savile Row tailor known for his colorful bespoke patterns and intricate designs, was first presented at London Design Week 2023. The partnership marks the first foray into interiors for Boateng whose transformational impact on menswear fashion spans more than three decades.
The Middle East debut of the Culture and Craft collection at Downtown Design provides a first look at the reimagined classics of Poltrona Frau, including the ‘Chester’ sofa, a 1912 design conceived by the company’s founder and inspired by Edwardian Chesterfields, and the ‘Vanity Fair’ chair, from 1984, both adorned with distinctive patterns developed by the Boateng. The collection also encompasses lifestyle accessories, textiles and wallpapers adorned with the Kente motif, African-inspired scented candles. A reimagining of the classic African Mancala game bring together craftsmanship, sartorial precision, and product innovation.
Commenting on the collection debut, Fahed Ghanim, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim – Lifestyle, operator of Poltrona Frau in the Middle East said:
“We are thrilled to participate in this year’s Downtown Design and unveil Poltrona Frau’s fashion forward collaboration with renowned menswear designer Ozwald Boateng. Poltrona Frau has consistently maintained a commitment to innovation and rejuvenation throughout its history and this unique collection cements the brand’s dedication to not only preserve its rich heritage but also remain relevant and sought after in an ever-evolving world of design and aesthetics.”
“As the anchor event of Dubai Design Week, Downtown Design celebrates contemporary and high-quality design, and Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle is proud to raise the bar for innovative design solutions with Poltrona Frau, and continue to bring this unparalleled artisanal experience to Dubai.”
The Boateng and Poltrona Frau teams spent more than six months developing a hand embossed leather for the Chester sofas, inspired by traditional Kente cloths, brightly woven fabrics typically worn on formal occasions. Each new Chester sofa was then hand-crafted in Poltrona Frau’s atelier in Tolentino with the same meticulous care as one of Boateng’s handmade Saville Row suits.
The ‘Tribal’ pattern, the signature print of Boateng, takes the pride of place across all products in the partnered capsule and pays homage to the British designer’s Ghanaian’s origins, with each colour, pattern and design carefully conceived to convey a strong narrative of sustainability and diversity.
Commenting on the Middle East debut of his capsule interiors collection, Ozwald Boateng said:
“I’m delighted to personally unveil my collaboration with Poltrona Frau at Downtown Design, a collection which harnesses my exploration of African patterns, and Poltrona Frau’s heritage of Italian design excellence. From the onset, there was an instant connection through craft, construction and attention to detail with Poltrona Frau. The process of making the furniture is very similar to my approach to tailoring, including the choice and development of materials. For me this partnership is really about tradition and finding a new language around that tradition. I hope design enthusiasts in the region will appreciate our shared vision.”
The Poltrona Frau and Ozwald Boateng Culture and Craft collection will be on display during the 10th edition of Downtown Design from 8-11th November alongside the Poltrona Frau and Ceccotti Collezioni DUO collection. Following the design fair, all products will be available at the Poltrona Frau Jumeirah Showroom.
About Majid Al Futtaim
Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is a diversified lifestyle conglomerate spanning 16 countries across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The company employs 46,000 people representing 114 nationalities and welcomes 600 million customers to its shopping malls, communities, retail and entertainment destinations each year.
With owned assets valued at US$18 billion, Majid Al Futtaim has the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately-held corporates in the region. The company is committed to becoming Net Positive in water and carbon by 2040.
Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle is home to world-class fashion and retail brands with more than 65 stores across the MENA region. As the retail partner of choice for some of the most desirable brands, Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle holds exclusive licensing rights across the region for names such as Lululemon, Lego, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, AllSaints, CB2, Shiseido, Poltrona Frau, Crate & Barrel and THAT, a Majid Al Futtaim multi brand concept store and app. The Company currently boasts 18 online platforms and continues to strengthen its position as a market leader through its exceptional omnichannel customer experience offering.
About Poltrona Frau
Poltrona Frau has been a leader in the world of Made in Italy furnishings since 1912. As a brand, it values artistic aptitude and meticulous construction, using only the highest-quality raw materials, like Pelle Frau® leather, making it the ideal go-to for high-end furniture for the home and office. The search for style has led Poltrona Frau to create classic pieces that express a unique elegance that is as universal as it is intimate and personal, from Chester and Vanity Fair, designed by company founder Renzo Frau, to Dezza by Gio Ponti and Titano, a project by Pierluigi Cerri that won the brand its first Compasso d’Oro industrial design award. Not forgetting the brand’s more recent successes, including the collections expertly designed by Jean-Marie Massaud, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba, Roberto Lazzeroni, GamFratesi and Neri&Hu.
Poltrona Frau also fosters an exquisite blend of tradition and innovation through two additional business units. Firstly, we have Interiors in Motion, which specializes in the furnishing of exclusive interiors for cars, luxury yachts, rail and air transport. This division proudly collaborates with some of the most renowned luxury brands, including Ferrari, Porsche and McLaren in the automotive sector, and Ferretti Yachts, Pershing and Riva in the seafaring sector, to name but a few. Secondly, there is the Custom Interiors division, which focuses on creating purpose-designed seating for auditoriums, theatres, airports, public spaces, office and store showrooms, hotels and yachts, working very closely with the very best names in the fields of architecture and international design. It has partnered with the likes of Renzo Piano, Foster + Partners, Frank O.Gehry, Jean Nouvel, Zaha Hadid Studio and David Chipperfield to produce some of its most iconic design projects. The beating heart of the operation has always been the production site in Tolentino, located in the Marche region of Italy, an expert factory with roots in the local area. The Tolentino site is at the forefront in the area of environmental sustainability certifications, as well as in regard to the health and safety of its employees.
For more informatio, please visit www.majidalfuttaim.com and https://www.instagram.com/majidalfuttaim.
