Brand Week: Fritz Hansen

The story of Fritz Hansen

This Brand Week revolves around the proud and traditional, Danish brand Fritz Hansen . The story of the Danish design company starts in 1885, when Fritz moves from Nakskov to Copenhagen to start a furniture workshop.

No more than 2 years later, his workshop on Christianshavn in Copenhagen has become a healthy and thriving business. In cooperation with his son Christian, Fritz created a high level of quality and their furniture became recognized in Copenhagen. In the start of the 1900’s, the workshop begins to deliver furniture for The Danish Parliament, Supreme Court and the Copenhagen City Hall.

In the 1930’s, the son, Christian, began experimenting with steam bending of Beech tree. This would prove to become a popular technique and Fritz Hansen now had a leading position in steam bending of wood. Hereafter, laminated wood furniture, became the specialty of the brand.

The Fritz Hansen workshop at Christianshavn in 1872

Collaborations with famous designers

In 1944, the China Chair, designed by Hans J. Wegner comes to market and just one year after, the famous Bar Sofa from Børge Mogensen is released. Fritz Hansen was now producing designs from the biggest designers in Danish history. And the story was just beginning…

In the 50’s, the company starts a close collaboration with Arne Jacobsen that designs the Series 7 chair, The Egg and The Swan within the same decade. These designs would prove to be widely popular, for decades to come. Danish prodigy Verner Panton also creates his Bachelor-chair in this period. This is a truly ground-breaking 10-year period for Fritz Hansen.

With so many iconic designs and supplier agreements with some of the most prestigious addresses in Denmark, Fritz Hansen was now an established and important Danish design company. After the 50’s, the company expands their factory and continues to work primarily as a manufacturer.

The series 7 chair from Arne Jacobsen has followede Fritz Hansen through the years.

Fritz Hansen in recent times

This all changes in 1998, when Jacob Holm becomes CEO and decides to lead Fritz Hansen on as an independent brand. The company now has its focus on the end consumer.

In recent times, the company has therefore been focused on both sales for consumers and companies. They have done this with significant success, with their designs combining classical, contemporary features with high functionality.

It is actually not until a few years ago that Fritz Hansen started making lights and lamps. The only lamp they produced before 2015 was Paul McCobb’s Planner table lamp , a part of his famous Planner-collection from the 50’s.

The Planner table lamp from Paul McCobb designed in 1953. Part of the Planner-collection

The acquisition of Lightyears

In 2015, Fritz Hansen acquired the lighting brand Lightyears that had a clear influence from Fritz Hansen in their designs. Since then, the two brands have accomplished much success and designs like Caravaggio and Kaiser Idell has been a driving force for their success in the lighting industry.

This means there are plenty of reasons to visit Fritz Hansen’s product page , if you need inspiration for a new and modern lamp. And if you do, you can be delighted over the rich history that comes with a Fritz Hansen product.

Kaiser Idell 6631 in brass & black Caravaggio pendant in matte black

In this week, all of our Fritz Hansen lamps are on sale and you can save up to 30 % on some popular designs.