Strässle

Strässle is a historic Swiss upholstered furniture manufacturer founded in 1886 by Gottlieb Strässle in Kirchberg, in the Toggenburg region of Switzerland. Originally established as a workshop specialising in saddlery, upholstery and carriage making, the company gradually evolved into a recognised producer of designer seating and furniture, contributing to the development of modern Swiss furniture design.

A decisive turning point came in 1929, when Josef Strässle, the founder's son, took over the family business. Having trained as an interior decorator in Nice, he presented the company's first collection of contemporary upholstered furniture at the Swiss Industries Fair in Basel that same year, marking the beginning of a new phase of development. His brother Alois joined the business in 1930.

Under the third generation, represented by Alex Strässle, the company expanded its international presence and developed a strategy centred on collaborations with Swiss and international designers. Traditional craftsmanship was increasingly combined with experimentation in materials, structural design and ergonomic solutions.

Between the 1950s and 1970s, Strässle distinguished itself through an innovative range of armchairs, sofas and seating systems. Particularly significant was its collaboration with Hans Bellmann, designer of the Sitwell collection, which explored the use of fibreglass and polyester, materials considered innovative in furniture manufacturing at the time.

The company's historical catalogue was further enriched by designs from Paul Tuttle, including the Nonna, Arco and Zeta seating models, as well as creations by Hans Eichenberger, whose work combined structural lightness, precision engineering and comfort.

Another important contribution came from designer André Vandenbeuck, creator of the King series, appreciated for its elegant construction and technical solutions that reduced the volume of upholstery without compromising comfort.

These collaborations helped define Strässle's identity as a manufacturer that approached design not merely as an aesthetic expression, but as an ongoing exploration of seating comfort, material quality and long-term durability.

Throughout its history, the company maintained a strong connection to the Swiss tradition of upholstered furniture manufacturing, with particular attention to craftsmanship, refined finishes and the use of high-quality materials, especially leather and metal.

Today, Strässle represents an important chapter in the history of 20th-century Swiss design. Its historical creations, particularly those developed during the 1960s and 1970s, reflect a period of intensive experimentation in which craftsmanship, industrial production and international creativity came together to produce distinctive furniture that remains appreciated in the vintage design market.