OLIVARI door handle ‘CLUB’: tangible synergy between famous brands
Brand synergy
The door handle CLUB by Italian manufacturer OLIVARI was forged in synergy between the Italian architect and industry designer VICO MAGISTRETTI and POLTRONA FRAU, an Italian luxury brand specialising in furniture and vehicle interiors and known for making leather seating for PORSCHE, FERRARI and other exclusive cars. The immaculate shape and the comfortable grip of the ‘CLUB’ is a creation of the designer VICO MAGISTRETTI in close collaboration with handle manufacturer OLIVARI.
VICO MAGISTRETTI
Italian architect VICO MAGISTRETTI (1921-2006) learned his trade from ERNESTO NATHAN ROGERS at his father’s studio. Magistretti designed many buildings in his hometown Milan but is mainly known as a furniture designer and the author of several Made in Italy icons: the lounge chair ‘VERANDA’ (1984), the table lamp ‘ATOLLO’ (1977), the sofa ‘MARALUNGA’ (1973), the bookcase ‘NUVOLA ROSSA’ (1977) and others.
Sofa MARALUNGA (1973)
Table lamp ATOLLO (1977)
The story behind the idea
As is often the case with VICO MAGISTRETTI, the inspiration for the Club was born during conversations. He and Antonio Olivari were repeatedly musing on the feeling of comfort until an idea came up of a soft leather-clad handle that would be particularly pleasant to touch. During the development of the design of the Club, MAGISTRETTI emphasised the importance of a material that can be lived with for a long time while appreciating its natural aging process. He gave the example of English shoes and other items that get better over time: the more you use them, the more beautiful they become.“I immediately found the proposal very interesting and innovative, so we developed it.”
Antonio Olivari
Following industrial logic, Magistretti designed two tapered half-shells to which the leather was glued. This gave continuity to the form and avoided the need for a sewn seam, which would have trapped dirt and been susceptible to wear and tear.
“As he spoke, I would think of the couch that welcomed me every evening. It was a model by POLTRONA FRAU that I had inherited from my mother. It was hers, and she passed it on to me. Not only did it prove to be indestructible, but it seemed to improve with the years. So, when I needed to consider quality leather, I spontaneously thought of POLTRONA FRAU for its extraordinary experience with this sumptuous material.”
Antonio Olivari
“As he spoke, I would think of the couch that welcomed me every evening. It was a model by POLTRONA FRAU that I had inherited from my mother. It was hers, and she passed it on to me. Not only did it prove to be indestructible, but it seemed to improve with the years. So, when I needed to consider quality leather, I spontaneously thought of POLTRONA FRAU for its extraordinary experience with this sumptuous material.”
Antonio Olivari
FERRARI leather seat by POLTRONA FRAU
POLTRONA FRAU
Since 1912 Italian luxury brand POLTRONA FRAU specialises in furniture and vehicle interiors. The company offers top-tier solutions for private residences, offices and premium leather furnishings for cars, planes and yachts
Their products are sustainable and bring universal yet personal elegance to their surroundings.
Their products are sustainable and bring universal yet personal elegance to their surroundings.
CLUB handle collection
A masterpiece among handles, the leather-clad 'CLUB' was created in 1998 and has been the handle of choice for decades by the most refined clients around the world. It is available in various metal finishes: chrome-plated or gold / bronze / anthracite tone brass, and several options with extra durable PVD surface finish suitable for use outdoors, including in aggressive environments such as coastal areas. The leather grip is also available in various tones: shades of brown, smoky beige, ink black or carmine red.
⇒ Find all OLIVARI products here.
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