On the occasion of Milan Design Week, Poltrona Frau presented
its new Parka series of sectional and modular sofas. A collection that
inaugurated an exciting collaboration with the creative duo Draga & Aurel. Last
year, the 2024 Imagine Collection by Poltrona Frau invited our Imagination to
emerge as a creative force that could manifest our dream interiors, shaping
them to create a more relatable and personal space. With this in mind, and to
give voice to the numerous and possible declinations of the theme, the luxury
furniture brand has further expanded its roster of `in-house design
consultants', commissioning exciting new names to join forces on the various
projects. The renowned design duo Draga & Aurel has been invited to
collaborate on the Imagine Softness theme. The Serbian/German design partners
have been based in Como Italy for many years, and have a particularly
impressive professional path which works across the spectrum of various
artistic and cultural fields. Lovers of fashion, bespoke vintage and enveloping
shapes, Draga & Aurel have always been particularly sensitive to the
culture of textile recycling and upcycling.
In this first project for Poltrona Frau, they hone their exceptional talent with Parka, a modular seating system that pays homage to the iconic jacket. From pop stars to streetwear: in the '90s the Oasis frontman (who was highly influenced by Mod's '60s fashion) managed to take an everyday garment and make it cool. The Parka jacket became the epitome of street style, a versatile, protective garment but soft and comfortable at the same time. Much like the iconic jacket, the Parka sofa coordinates effortlessly with all types of interiors and is extremely versatile, despite (or even because of) its strong personality. The soft lines and generously padded upholstery that skims the floor hint at comfort and relaxation. The unusual elliptical shape of the backrest, which inclines to become an armrest and then a seamless seat, creates a concave or convex space that is both audacious and welcoming, seamlessly coordinating with different styles of interiors.
"Not many companies are capable of embracing so many
different external visions whilst still upholding a furnishing philosophy
consistent with its identity." states Nicola Coropulis, CEO of Poltrona
Frau, "Over the years, in the various collaborations with new designers,
Poltrona Frau has always sought and upheld that sense of contemporary luxury
which is able to respond - in an aesthetic, conceptual and, above all, ethical
way - to modern requisites." The Parka collection comprises modular elements:
a concave or convex armchair without armrests or with a terminal armrest, the
latter also in a maxi version, either right-side or left-side. It can be
upholstered either entirely in Pelle Frau®, in the various types of leather
present in the catalogue, or in a leather + fabric combination. In this case
the leather is applied to the external structure, while the fabric is applied
to the seat, backrest and armrest. Tone-on-tone top stitching completes the
aesthetic.
DRAGA & AUREL
United by a common artistic education and a professional
path that has successfully made an impact in fashion, music and craftsmanship,
Draga Obradovic and Aurel K. Basedow are the founders of the eponymous
multidisciplinary studio and atelier, active in Como since 2007. At Draga &
Aurel, Art and Design follow two parallel and contemporary paths in a
continuous exchange that strengthens and sometimes inverts their meanings.
Considered as the precursors of bespoke upcycling in design, Draga & Aurel
are amongst the most revered contemporary names in the collectible sector, and
their handmade pieces are exhibited and distributed by some of the most
prestigious international galleries. The design production is flanked by Aurel
K. Basedow's artistic oeuvres: powerful, evocative and poetic artworks. The
same artistic approach to materials is applied in the furniture design pieces
created for some of the major, and most visionary, Italian design companies.
Architectural Digest have ranked Draga & Aurel amongst the most influential
names in design and, for the third consecutive year, they have been selected in
the AD100 List of Honourees. Their projects were included in the ADI Design
Index, and they have been awarded the prestigious Wallpaper*Design Award.
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 0.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.