Enrico Cappellini started Cappellini in 1946 in Carugo, Como. His son Giulio, an architect and designer, transformed the family business into a global luxury furniture brand. Giulio Cappellini began collaborating with the most prominent design trademarks in the 1980s, resulting in classic designs like the Proust armchair by Alessandro Mendini (1978) and the Felt Chair by Marc Newson (1993).To intercept cutting-edge concepts, stimulate experimentation, and provide a whole new vision of life free of clichés made the company unique in the sector. Giulio Cappellini’s career as a talent scout, headed by an incredible intuition perfected by years of experience, put Cappellini in the forefront of design.

Cappellini | Italian Designer Furniture Since 1946

Cappellini manufactures contemporary designer furniture in Carugo near Como and Milan in Brianza region, Lombardy. Enrico Cappellini founded the company in 1946 opening small workshop producing traditional furniture according to artisan traditions of Brianza area. Giulio Cappellini joined father's company in 1979 with intent to bring innovation and launch brand on international market, assuming role as artistic director continuing through present.

Giulio Cappellini Vision and International Expansion

Giulio Cappellini transformed family firm established by father Enrico in post-war Italy into mediator for great furniture design from around world connecting designers with design-aware market. Time Magazine named Giulio Cappellini one of most influential trendsetters of fashion and design globally. In 2023, Giulio Cappellini received prestigious Compasso d'Oro Career Award at ADI Design Museum Milan rewarding career of continuous reading and interpretation of design through personal poetics and constant research of new talents conducted with deep passion. Giulio traveled internationally testing conviction that while Italy possessed big tradition of furniture production, country held onto idea nothing happening elsewhere in world. Colleagues warned he would destroy Italian design questioning why work with foreign designers. Giulio responded that designer birthplace (London, Milano, Sydney) mattered less than quality and passion. Cappellini currently receives approximately 200 drawings from aspiring designers monthly.

Historic Designer Collaborations and Iconic Pieces

1981 - Cappellini launched Sistemi collection, first piece Giulio decisively influenced, introducing new way of conceiving cabinets combining function and aesthetics in serial production through modular buildable systems. 1987 - Collaboration with Shiro Kuramata launched Progetti Compiuti collection including Pyramid Chest (originally designed 1968 for Ishamaru). The piece found spots in art and design museums worldwide. 1988 - Jasper Morrison exhibited prototype of Thinking Man's Chair in London, later entering Cappellini catalog as contemporary classic. Late 1980s - Cappellini established lasting relationships with Morrison and Marc Newson bringing to market Thinking Man's Chair and Embryo Chair respectively. 1991 - Tom Dixon created Bird Chaise Longue for Cappellini. Early 1990s - Cappellini moved into design accessories and homewares creating Progetto Oggetto collection enriching catalog with series of design accessories and everyday life objects. 1993 - Cappellini began manufacturing Proust armchair by Alessandro Mendini, one of most recognizable pieces in design history originally designed 1978. 1996 - Knotted Chair by Marcel Wanders entered Cappellini catalog becoming contemporary classic remaining amazing piece years after conception. 1998 - Piero Lissoni designed Supersoft chair. 2004 - Giulio Cappellini discovered Nendo at Milan's Salone Satellite beginning successful long-lasting partnership. Japanese studio designed many products resulting in designs with strong visual impression. 2009 - Dror Benshetrit created Peacock armchair during New York trip meeting Giulio. After almost one year engineering, ambitious product emerged using pleated felt supporting body weight resembling peacock's tail with fashion world references. Cappellini started producing iconic Tube Chair by Joe Colombo originally designed 1969.

Additional Designer Collaborations

Designer roster includes Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec (Cloud bookcase), Patricia Urquiola (Lud'o Lounge swivel chair), Werner Aisslinger (Juli chair collection), Michael Young, Satyendra Pakhale, Inga Sempé, Ora Ito, and numerous others. Collections known for tapping new trends and far-flung talents displaying minimalism alongside pop fashion, computer tech, and amoebic forms.

Cappellini Ownership and Corporate Structure

In 2004, Cappellini became part of Poltrona Frau Group. In 2021, American office furnisher Haworth Inc. acquired the company. Cappellini operates alongside Cassina as holdings within group structure.

Museum Collections and Cultural Recognition

Cappellini products exhibit in most important museums throughout world. Museum of Modern Art New York holds over 30 Cappellini pieces in permanent collection. Additional institutions include Musée des Arts Décoratifs Paris, Galleria d'Arte Moderna Rome, Museum für Angewandte Kunst Köln, and Victoria & Albert Museum London.

Cappellini Showrooms and Facilities

Spazio Cappellini Milano opened in Via Borgogna 8 in heart of Durini Design District introducing brand-new concept promoting cultural dialog in name of freedom starting from design. Cappellini Hub opened in north Milan unifying operations, technical and R&D departments, marketing, and customer service. Flagship store operates in Via Santa Cecilia Milan marking aesthetic and conceptual turning point of brand communication. Global stores operate internationally. House of Cappellini show presented at Fabbrica del Vapore Milan marked change of direction for furniture design presentations organized outside traditional fair sites. First anthological exhibition presented in Cologne curated by Achille Castiglioni showcasing first 20 years company activities. Cappellini | Italian designer furniture available in Houston through CAM Studio.