Vitra - La Chaise miniature

The Vitra Design Museum’s Miniatures Collection presents the most important pieces in the history of design furniture in 1:6 scale, reproducing the original historical pieces down to the smallest detail.

Exactly 1/6 the size of the historical originals, the chairs are all scaled and recreate with precision the smallest details of construction, material, color. The high standard of authenticity also extends to the natural grain of the wood, the reproduction of the vines and the elaborate artisanal techniques involved. This made miniatures popular collectibles, as well as artwork ideal for universities, design schools and architects.

Charles e Ray Eames

The two designers married in 1941 and moved to Los Angeles, where they began experimenting with techniques for three-dimensional plywood molding. The goal was to create comfortable chairs at affordable prices. Charles and Ray Eames had a profound and lasting influence on Vitra.  It was the encounter with their work that stimulated the origins of the company as a furniture manufacturer.  Yet it is not just the products of Charles and Ray Eames that have left a mark on Vitra.  Even today, their design philosophy continues to significantly shape the company’s values, orientation and objectives. Vitra is the only authorized manufacturer of Eames products for Europe and the Middle East.

Charles and Ray Eames' furniture has been a milestone in the Vitra Design Museum’s collection since its inception.

Vitra

By combining the technical and conceptual experience with the creativity of contemporary designers, Vitra continues to push boundaries and question the status quo. Vitra’s origins as a design company lie in the casual discovery of a chair by Charles and Ray Eames in a New York showcase.

The spirit of innovation expressed by the creations of the couple represents a movement - modern design - and still continues to be the driving force behind the development, production and sale of furniture and accessories for people around the world, for life, work and public use.

The founder of Vitra, Willi Fehlbaum, first came across the creations of Ray and Charles Eames in the early 1950s. This decisive moment marked the beginnings of Vitra as a design company. Vitra has since collaborated with international designers and architects. While the first generation laid the commercial foundations of the company and the second added a cultural dimension through the development of the Vitra Campus and the Vitra Design Museum with its collection, The third generation focuses on sustainable thinking and action.