Vitsœ

In 1959 a Danish furniture entrepreneur, Niels Vitsœ (1913-1995), and a German furniture-maker, Otto Zapf, founded Vitsoe+Zapf to realise the furniture designs of the rising star of design, Dieter Rams. The proposition was to create down-to-earth...
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In 1959 a Danish furniture entrepreneur, Niels Vitsœ (1913-1995), and a German furniture-maker, Otto Zapf, founded Vitsoe+Zapf to realise the furniture designs of the rising star of design, Dieter Rams. The proposition was to create down-to-earth furniture that would last as long as possible – thinking that has never been more relevant than it is today. Dieter Rams (b1932) had come to their attention as a young employee of Braun in Germany when he was involved in the design of a revolutionary (to the extent that some feared for the future of the Braun company) new record player, the Braun SK4 (quickly nicknamed ‘Snow White’s Coffin’). With the bravery of Rams’s design Vitsœ produced an innovative collection of modern furniture that was initially sold largely in Germany. Introduction Sorry, no sale 60s 606 is 50 Five reasons Our heritage Vitsœ's ethos What Vitsœ means Dieter Rams Customer comments Newsletter sign-up For our occasional updates A single-minded business that spans 50 years The story In 1959 a Danish furniture entrepreneur, Niels Vitsœ (1913-1995), and a German furniture-maker, Otto Zapf, founded Vitsoe+Zapf to realise the furniture designs of the rising star of design, Dieter Rams. The proposition was to create down-to-earth furniture that would last as long as possible – thinking that has never been more relevant than it is today. Dieter Rams (b1932) had come to their attention as a young employee of Braun in Germany when he was involved in the design of a revolutionary (to the extent that some feared for the future of the Braun company) new record player, the Braun SK4 (quickly nicknamed ‘Snow White’s Coffin’). Niels Wiese Vitsoe Vitsœ’s founder, Niels Wiese Vitsœ Read Anthea Bain’s 1987 interview of Niels Vitsœ Cultural meetings With the bravery of Rams’s design Vitsœ produced an innovative collection of modern furniture that was initially sold largely in Germany. Here the Vitsœ (Zapf left in 1969) showroom became an important cultural meeting and reference point in Frankfurt. Meeting of minds In 1985 the Briton, Mark Adams – who shared a fundamental belief in good, common-sense design – was introduced to Dieter Rams and Niels Vitsœ and he established Vitsœ Limited in London to import and distribute Vitsœ furniture. Eight years later Niels Vitsœ retired and Adams became managing director of Vitsœ in Germany. In 1995 Adams transferred the corporate seat and production of the company to the United Kingdom. Today Vitsœ is an international company that sells directly to customers around the world via this website.