Designed in 1930 by the French furniture pioneer, the Vitra Cite armchair was originally created as an entry for a competition to furnish a student halls of residence at the Cité Universitaire in Nancy. The Cite armchair is one of Prouvé's early classics, and is characterised by a pair of distinctive runners made of powder-coated sheet steel and finished with broad leather belts for armrests. Prouvé himself used a version of the armchair in the living room of his own home, so taken was he by the generously proportioned and spacious surface space. This version is finished in a handsome leather, while a fabric version, upholstered in a selection of premium Tress and Mello fabrics is also available.
Jean Prouve was born into an artistic family in Nancy, France. Prouve trained as a metalsmith before attending engineering school in Nancy, and his intimate knowledge of metal remained the foundation of his work and career.
After opening his own workshop in 1923, Prouve began producing modern metal furniture of his own design as well as collaborating with some of the best-known French designers of the day, including Le Corbusier and Charlotte Perriand.
