Get In Touch
A talk with Rolf Fehlbaum
24.06.15

A talk with Rolf Fehlbaum

Photography by Pascal Grob
Rolf Fehlbaum and his work at Vitra have always been a source of great admiration for Mutina. We first met him at a Bouroullec exhibition in Paris and instantly got along. In many ways his work, his philosophy and the relationship with the designers, reflect what we aim to achieve with our company: a dialogue between design and art, tradition and innovation, always looking towards the future to come. We met Mr Fehlbaum at the Vitra Campus and we had a talk about his past, the big encounters of his life and of course, his future.
Rolf Fehlbaum and his work at Vitra have always been a source of great admiration for Mutina. We first met him at a Bouroullec exhibition in Paris and instantly got along. In many ways his work, his philosophy and the relationship with the designers, reflect what we aim to achieve with our company: a dialogue between design and art, tradition and innovation, always looking towards the future to come. We met Mr Fehlbaum at the Vitra Campus and we had a talk about his past, the big encounters of his life and of course, his future.
A talk with Rolf Fehlbaum
A talk with Rolf Fehlbaum

Thinking that Vitra is partly still a “family-run” company is quite extraordinary. How do you feel about have being part of the very same furniture brand your parents made back in 1957 and now having your niece working there?

Initially I did not think that a family business was a good idea. When I hesitatingly joined it I thought it would be just for a few years. In the meantime I am convinced that the family business constellation in principle is very good for a design company as this type of company needs a long time horizon and a cultural-commercial perspective. A family company can include non-commercial criteria. All depends of course whether within the family there are persons with the necessary competence and character. We are very lucky at Vitra that my niece Nora fullfils all the necessary criteria and therefore Vitra continues to operate as a family business.

What is your best memory linked to the history of Vitra?

If I have to pick one during my leadership period it is the memory of the opening of the Vitra Design Museum in 1989. It was Frank Gehry’s first building outside the USA and the installation of a design museum with an independent status was important for Vitra and very satisfactory for me personally.

Your dearest encounter?

My dearest encounters have always been the ones with the designers, from Charles Eames and George Nelson to Antonio Citterio, Alberto Meda, Jasper Morrison, Hella Jongerius, Konstantin Grcic, the Bouroullec brothers and others. Well, I should also mention some encounters with architects: Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Alvaro Siza, Renzo Piano, Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron. And unforgettable: the encounters with Tibor Kalman.

My dearest encounters have always been the ones with the designers.
A talk with Rolf Fehlbaum
A talk with Rolf Fehlbaum

Do you remember when you first met Massimo Orsini and the Mutina team?

Yes, I remember very well. It was after the vernissage of the Bouroullec exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. It was love at first sight. We immediately bonded and I cherish the friendship. Professionally, for me it was the discovery of ceramics as a big theme. I had not been really aware, but when I received the literature of Mutina – which by the way is beautifully done – I felt the full impact.

Which is your life motto?

If I have to give an answer without much reflection I would say: “Make the best of it!” This means, for instance, that you accept willingly that you are good at certain things and not good at others and therefore concentrate on your strengths and compensate your weakness by working with people who have complimentary skills. So you use your weakness to create new productive bonds.

Where do you see yourself in the next year?

I made the step from leading the company to being a senior advisor (and a board member). I enjoy that role and the new freedom that is the consequence of having much less responsibility.

Professionally, for me it was the discovery of ceramics as a big theme.
A talk with Rolf Fehlbaum
A talk with Rolf Fehlbaum

There are no elements.

To better serve your needs, please fill the form below
I'm a/an
Who operates in
Interested in

Recover your password

Recover your Lost your password? Please enter your emaul address.
You will receive a link to create a new password via email.

We need some informations

This is our brand new website, we would ask you to reset your password and confirm some information:
I cookie ci aiutano a fornire i nostri servizi. Utilizzando tali servizi, accetti l'utilizzo dei cookie da parte nostra. Info