Vitra was founded in 1950 by Willi Fehlbaum in Birsfelden, Switzerland — three years after Innes opened its doors in 1947. Both companies are third-generation family businesses, and both share a conviction that well-designed furniture is not a luxury but a necessity: something that shapes the quality of everyday life in ways that are felt rather than noticed.
It is a partnership that has endured for good reason. Vitra's collection is unlike any other in the world — a body of work that spans the greatest design collaborations of the twentieth century and some of the most compelling new voices of the twenty-first. From Charles and Ray Eames to Jean Prouvé, Verner Panton to Jasper Morrison, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec to Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby — Vitra has consistently chosen designers who believe that form and function are not in opposition, but inseparable.
A History of Collaboration
The relationship between Vitra and the Eames Office began in 1957, when Willi Fehlbaum secured the European and Middle Eastern manufacturing rights for Charles and Ray Eames's furniture. It was the beginning of one of the most significant partnerships in design history — and the foundation on which Vitra's reputation was built. The Eames Lounge Chair, the Plastic Chair, the Aluminium Group: these are not just products but cultural artefacts, pieces that changed the way the world thought about what a chair could be.
Jean Prouvé came next — an engineer-designer whose belief that structure should be honest and visible produced furniture of extraordinary rigour and character. Then Verner Panton, whose psychedelic interiors and injection-moulded Panton Chair pushed the boundaries of what plastic could do and what a room could feel like. Each collaboration added a new dimension to the collection, and each designer left work that continues to feel entirely relevant today.
The Vitra Campus
In 1981, a fire destroyed much of Vitra's production facility in Weil am Rhein, Germany. What followed was one of the most remarkable acts of architectural patronage in recent history. Rolf Fehlbaum — Willi's son — commissioned a series of buildings from the world's leading architects: Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Tadao Ando, Herzog & de Meuron, Alvaro Siza and others. The result is the Vitra Campus — an open-air museum of contemporary architecture and a working factory that draws visitors from around the world.
It is a statement of intent: that Vitra is not simply a furniture manufacturer but a company that takes design seriously at every level, from the objects it produces to the buildings it inhabits.
Vitra Campus
The Vitra Campus is based in Basel in Switzerland and is definitely worth a visit
Vitra's Mission Statement
At Vitra, we believe that environments shape our thoughts and feelings, whether we are at home, at work or on the go. We work every day to better our surroundings through the power of design. A family business in its third generation, Vitra follows an environmental, cultural and commercial mission.
The Vitra Campus and the Vitra Design Museum with its exhibitions, design archives and a comprehensive furniture collection inspire visitors and employees alike. They further the understanding of design and architecture‘s role in defining the future we live in.
Environmental consciousness finds expression in every aspect of Vitra’s work. It is manifested in how Vitra develops and manufactures its products, in the sourcing of raw materials and the organisation of its supply chain. Every new insight is regarded as an opportunity for further development.
The Design Process
Vitra's Senior Management have always been very involved in the design process and refer to their designers as "Authors" due to their importance in the design process. They like to build long standing relationships with their designers in to create timeless pieces.
Vitra's commitment to design does not rest on its archive. The company continues to work with leading contemporary designers — commissioning new pieces that it believes will stand alongside the classics in decades to come. The Anagram Sofa by Barber Osgerby, the Mikado Chair by the Bouroullec brothers, the Mynt office chair — these are pieces designed with the same rigour and ambition as anything in the Eames or Prouvé collections. And the recent reissue of Verner Panton's most visionary work — the Amoebe Chair, the Cone Chair, the Living Tower — demonstrates that the archive still has surprises to offer.
Read more about the designers behind Vitra products
IS VITRA FURNITURE GENUINE AND OFFICIALLY LICENSED?
Yes. Innes is an authorised Vitra stockist, which means every piece we sell is a genuine Vitra product manufactured under official licence. Vitra holds the worldwide rights to produce the Eames, Prouvé and Panton collections, and all pieces come with Vitra's own authenticity guarantee.
WHERE IS VITRA FURNITURE MADE?
Vitra furniture is manufactured at the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein, Germany — a site that has been the heart of Vitra's production since the 1950s. Some upholstered pieces and accessories are produced at partner facilities, all under Vitra's direct quality control.
WHAT ARE VITRAS MOST POPULAR PRODUCTS?
Vitra's most consistently popular pieces at Innes include the Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman — their most iconic and enduring design — alongside the Panton Chair, the Eames Plastic Chair and the Aluminium Group. For accessories and gifts, the Eames Elephant, the Hang-It-All coat rack and the Eames House Bird are perennial favourites. If you're new to Vitra and looking for a starting point, our team is always happy to guide you.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE EAMES LOUNGE CHAIR AND THE GRAND REPOS?
Both are Vitra's premium lounge chairs, but they are very different in character. The Eames Lounge Chair is structured chair with a plywood shell and sumptuous leather cushions - a design classic that suits a study or living room. It is very comfortable and swivels, but does not recline. The Grand Repos by Antonio Citterio is a fully upholstered chair with a synchronised reclining mechanism - designed for complete relaxation. It both swivels and reclines and in our opinion is the more comfortable of the two chairs.
DOES VITRA FURNITURE COME WITH A WARRANTY
Yes. Vitra offers a manufacturer's warranty on all its products. The standard warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship — full terms are available on request.
IS IT TRUE THAT THE ALUMINIUM GROUP COMES WITH A 30 YEAR WARRANTY?
Yes — the Vitra Aluminium Group carries an exceptional 30-year warranty, a reflection of the confidence Vitra has in the quality and durability of this iconic chair. Originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1958, it is built to last a lifetime, and the warranty backs that up. Full warranty terms are available on request
HOW LONG DOES VITRA FURNITURE TAKE TO DELIVER?
In-stock pieces are typically delivered within a few days. Made-to-order pieces — including most upholstered chairs and sofas in specific fabric or leather choices — generally take 6–14 weeks. We will confirm lead times at the point of order.
CAN I SEE VITRA FURNITURE IN PERSON BEFORE BUYING?
Yes — we have a showroom where a selection of Vitra pieces are on display. We recommend contacting us in advance to confirm which pieces are currently on the floor, as the display changes regularly. We can also arrange for you to visit Vitra's showroom in London if more convenient.
These are the most popular Vitra pieces .. Eames Lounge Chairs, Akari Lamps, Noguchi Coffee Table, Aluminium Group, Eames Accessories, Panton & Prouve furniture ...
These are the most popular Vitra pieces .. Eames Lounge Chairs, Akari Lamps, Noguchi Coffee Table, Aluminium Group, Eames Accessories, Panton & Prouve furniture ...
These are the most popular Vitra pieces .. Eames Lounge Chairs, Akari Lamps, Noguchi Coffee Table, Aluminium Group, Eames Accessories, Panton & Prouve furniture ...
We have been proud stockists of Vitra for many years, and it remains one of the collections we feel most strongly about. We stock a broad and carefully chosen selection of Vitra furniture, lighting and accessories — from the iconic to the newly launched — and our team knows the collection in depth. If you are considering a Vitra piece and would like advice, we are always happy to help.
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