Founded in Denmark over 150 years ago, Fritz Hansen is synonymous with the best of Nordic design. They are well-known for their collaborations with designers such as Arne Jacobsen, Poul Kjærholm, and Hans J. Wegner, titans within their own right. The embracing of design culture and collaboration, truly leaning in to what cutting edge technology through the scope of our best minds has to offer. This time, they’ve partnered with Copenhagen-based designer Cecilie Manz to create Monolit, an elegant yet welcoming dining and lounge chair.
This elevated design features a fully upholstered, veneer and steel construction. Formed of enveloping planes, the seat invites for a comforting respite, while underneath can act as temporary storage. This is especially helpful in lounges and restaurants, most of us carrying many essential items with us throughout the day.
A sculptural, solid design, the inviting tilt of the front angle welcomes the user, holding them in a soft, luxurious seat. The fully upholstered body features leather piping, which can be customized upon request. It captures the beauty of the fabric it happens to be adorned with, in a form that is immediately modern. Sensitivity to proportion is exemplified here, elegance apparent in any hue.
Feeling as natural in a dining room as a lounge, these chairs embody what Fritz Hansen does best: the highest quality materials paired with hand-rendered details at every step of the process. Their storied past, illuminated by Cecilie Manz, shines through in the Monolit collection.
The edges of leather just peeking through the seam where the upholstery meets are a real treat. Usually, we see leather as a rolled or folded hem. Here, the natural edge of the hide is shown, celebrating the material’s origin. This fairly rough finish, paired with the elegance of the upholstery, allows the warmth and delicacy of the form to shine through.
Fritz Hansen values a different type of producer/designer relationship. Choosing to focus almost exclusively on collaborations, this ensures that a sense of hierarchy is intentionally kept low. This allows for more flexibility within their design process, with more voices heard and respected. The design community is all about maintaining healthy relationships, and they are committed to this notion for all future projects as well.
Dual tone upholstery is available within the Monolit collection as well, in the full range of fabric colors.
We’ve been seeing butter yellow everywhere lately, and this collection does not miss a beat with their signature colorways. Full of rich jewel tones and light, more textured wovens, Monolit has all the trappings of a luxurious lounge – yet pared down, simplified.
Cecilie Manz is a multidisciplinary designer, born in Denmark and currently living in Copenhagen. With a strong, sculptural eye, Manz creates reserved, considered projects, from product to furniture. Founding her studio in 1998 gave her a platform to share her vision, releasing the Micado in 2003 that currently resides within the MoMA collection.
Fritz Hansen has always been committed to providing innovative, creative products. Heirloom quality, they have endured as a lasting bastion of Nordic design.
For more on the Monolit Collection, click here. For more on Cecilie Manz, click here.
