It must feel so good to win a design competition where you’re up against the best and brightest young talent. In the aftermath of the Salone del Mobile 2012, British designer Benjamin Hubert, whom we have always enjoyed a great deal – see his Labware table/floor lamp, his Quarry and Roofer pendant lamps, the Pod and Maritime chairs, etc. – is likely still gleaming with self satisfaction after his brand new Juliet chair was chosen by Poltrona Frau as the winner of their 100th birthday armchair design.

Juliet armchair. Designed by Benjamin Hubert. Manufactured by Poltrona Frau.

Renaissance-inspired Pleats with a Puffy Texture Bring Out the Lively Look of Benjamin Hubert’s Juliet Chair.

Created with what many refer to as “pleats”, the triangular-sewn design of the supple leather upholstery forms the shell of the Juliet armchair by London-based designer Hubert. Having already received thousands of words marked with encouragement by bloggers and Milan attendees, it’s no wonder Hubert’s on cloud nine. To put it simply, his Juliet knocked this competition out of the park.

Inspired by the puffy-shouldered sleeves of the clothing designs from the Italian Renaissance era, Hubert stretches the leather over its structure and base like a glove using rich, saturated colors.

Poltrona Frau announced that Benjamin Hubert won their exclusive design competition that would manufacture an armchair on behalf of their 100 year old birthday celebration. While it was launched at Salone del Mobile this year, the chair will be placed into the well-established manufacturing company’s “iconic limited edition collection to represent its history and future”.

The competition itself was judged by the best of the best design minds and experts of the 21st century and was extended by invitation only to 12 distinguished young designers. Poltrona Frau states of the competition, “The brief of the competition was to utilise the traditional upholstery techniques under the theme ‘a chair to spend time in’ and judged under the categories of; formal appearance, representation of the given theme, use and interpretation of leather and comfort.”

Speaking to the design of Juliet herself, Poltrona Frau describes the outside of Hubert’s chair design as one which uses “the flexibility and tensile strength of leather” along with its “fluted traditional timber frame work where the shape of the timber can clearly be seen through the tight leather covering.”

About the Manufacturer: Since 1912, Poltrona Frau has been at the forefront of modern design. With origins in exquisite handcrafting of furnished goods, the company is synonymous with the high quality, attention to detail, and cutting-edge aesthetic that characterizes contemporary Italian design. Beside creating furnishings like the Juliet chair that was based on its 100th birthday design competition, Poltrona Frau prides itself in many other sofas, chairs, beds and table designs that put an emphasis on the texture and shape of the end result.