Poltrona Frau Reveals Limited Edition Dezza Armchair by Gio Ponti in Iconic Iris Color

Poltrona Frau, the luxury Italian leather manufacturer, continues to honor the legacy of renowned architect Gio Ponti with the release of a limited edition Dezza armchair. Originally conceived in 1965, this piece is revived for contemporary interiors, preserving Ponti’s timeless design approach. However, this release marks more than just the 60th anniversary of the iconic chair—it highlights the ongoing fusion of tradition and innovation. Poltrona Frau’s creative team taps into Ponti’s ability to seamlessly blend multiple disciplines like art, ceramics, textiles, crystal, and home furnishings, giving new life to this classic design.

The Dezza armchair features a dynamic silhouette with tight tailoring and modern, square lines, complemented by gently tufted cushions and curvaceous armrests. The result is a piece that balances structure with comfort, offering a visual appeal from every angle, with contrasting buttons and hardware drawing the eye. Its angular, sinewy legs provide an elegant stance, offering a sense of movement while maintaining poise.

While the Dezza has been in continuous production since its original debut, this limited edition introduces a notable change. The chair is upholstered in Pelle Frau Impact Less leather, aligning with Poltrona Frau’s sustainability goals. The company leads the industry with its commitment to traceable, certified suppliers, chromium-free tanning processes, and the offset of CO2 emissions, integrating these values into its luxurious leather traditions.

The color palette of Panna and brilliant Iris blue evokes the bright, airy interiors Ponti designed for the Hotel Parco dei Principi in Sorrento, reflecting the majolica floors in complementary shades. But the standout feature of this release is the chair’s upholstery pattern, based on an unpublished Ponti illustration. Poltrona Frau digitally prints the design on leather using a unique process, enriching the chair with an exclusive historical touch. The design features 26 stylized hands, each with its own identity, such as “the gloved hand,” “the starry hand,” “pierced hand,” and “the fortune teller’s hand,” among others. The Dezza armchair successfully blends playful elements with sophistication, showcasing artisan mastery and the “intelligence of the hands” in its construction.

“Ponti’s hand represents the human ability to imagine, to go beyond the world of objects to enter those of theatre, poetry and playfulness,” says Salvatore Licitra, curator of the Gio Ponti Archives.

A limited edition of 60 individually numbered pieces, each identified by a metal tag on the rear and accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity, will be available exclusively online at Poltrona Frau e-shops in select European markets until April 1st. After this date, the chair will also be available at select retail locations globally. However, Poltrona Frau’s approach to re-creating Ponti’s work transcends merely modernizing the aesthetics for novelty. The brand remains deeply committed to preserving the integrity of Ponti’s original vision.

“We are thrilled to present this historic piece from our catalogue in a new guise. It’s a mix of excitement and gratitude for this opportunity,” says Nicola Coropulis, CEO of Poltrona Frau. “With our re-editions we always try to create and deepen the cultural significance of the original design, offering something truly exclusive that not only enhances the materials and finishes but, above all, celebrates the creative process behind the products.”