Words By Allegra Salvadori

Some things never go out of style—especially when they’re born from the union of two Italian design powerhouses. As the dust settles on Milan Design Week 2025, one collaboration still lingers in our minds (and hearts): Poltrona Frau and Fornasetti’s latest chapter in collectible design.

Presented as part of The Five Seasons collection, the re-editions of the iconic 1919 armchair and the Isidoro trunk-bar are more than just furniture—they’re artistic statements. Upholstered in Poltrona Frau’s sustainable Pelle Frau® ColorSphere® Impact Less leather, both pieces are dressed in Ultime Notizie, Fornasetti’s emblematic print of fluttering butterflies and vintage news clippings. Originally designed in 1950 and reimagined by Barnaba Fornasetti, the motif transforms leather into a tactile illusion of paper and poetry.

First designed by Renzo Frau over a century ago, the 1919 armchair is a symbol of timeless comfort with its generous proportions and pleated scroll arms. Meanwhile, the Isidoro trunk-bar, created by Jean-Marie Massaud, channels the roaring glamour of transatlantic travel with a hidden drinks cabinet that blends functionality and fantasy.

“Fornasetti and Poltrona Frau represent the quintessence of Italian artisan excellence,” notes Poltrona Frau CEO Nicola Coropulis. And indeed, this collaboration continues to seduce design lovers with its blend of craftsmanship, surrealism, and emotion.

The re-editions of the iconic 1919 armchair and Isidoro bar cabinet, created in collaboration with Fornasetti, are now part of the Poltrona Frau collection. A limited selection will be available from Tuesday, June 24 at Poltrona Frau’s Dubai stores – Jumeirah and Mall of the Emirates – including two 1919 armchairs and two Isidoro trunks. An additional two trunks and four armchairs are expected to arrive later this year.

Let’s not forget: some news is worth revisiting.