For the Hide Chair 1085, Bartoli worked with Italian leather manufacturers Presot to develop a seat made from natural hide, which will evolve and change with use. Over time, the hide will age; its texture will change, as will its colour, but the chair will be the expression of this transition, preserving its functionality and performance.

The exposed line of stitches connecting the Hide Chair 1805 full-grain leather seat to the matching back support is a reference to Presot’s background in providing material to the haute couture fashion industry.

The leather wraps around a lacquered steel frame at the back and on the underside, forming two flaps that are connected using a steel tie-rod. This structural device helps to counteract any loss of tension from the ageing of the hide, keeping it in place as it softens. Lengths of metal extend from the seat of the frame slot into four round European oak legs, which are finished with a ball tip to prevent scuffing on hard floors.

With great timing, the project arrives at a moment when the issues of traditional craftsmanship, manufacturing and eco-friendly production are central to the concerns of those who make, produce and communicate design in Italy.

The Hide Chair 1085 edition is available exclusively at Fanuli.

Fanuli
fanuli.com.au