Brand Story
Headquartered in Meda in Northern Italy, family-run furniture manufacturer Flexform strives to create elegant pieces that stand the test of time
We delve into the storied history of Italian furniture purveyor Flexform
With hundreds of showrooms around the globe, Italian furniture brand Flexform has become synonymous with its sleek designs; its furniture pieces are a common fixture in stunning hotels and private homes worldwide. Throughout the years, Flexform has maintained its Italian DNA and its collaborative philosophy, working closely with leading designers and architects to produce its collections; the brand is also best known for its sofa systems which are celebrated for their versatility and comfort. “Flexform’s identity and success are based on a strong value system: made-inItaly quality, elegance beyond time and unrivalled comfort,” says Giuliano Galimberti, Flexform’s general export sales director. As part of the third generation of Galimbertis
in the company, the director is also a board member of the firm. According to Galimberti, the Flexform collections are made for “an international client, who loves products with a timeless style but of great quality; one who does not like to show off their home, but to live in it.” He adds: “Flexform customers are people who have a natural sense of beauty and love to surround themselves with carefully chosen objects.” Here, we delve into the history of the Italian company, the intriguing origins of its English name, and the Italian-made quality that it has come to be identified with.
“FLEXFORM’S IDENTITY AND SUCCESS ARE BASED ON A STRONG VALUE SYSTEM: MADE-IN-ITALY QUALITY, ELEGANCE BEYOND TIME AND UNRIVALLED COMFORT”
CRAFT AND DESIGN
Founded in the city of Meda in northern Italy, Flexform’s history is rooted in the traditions and heritage of Italian craftsmanship. Situated within the furniture manufacturing district of Brianza, the region has been home to numerous workshops and furniture producers which have been working with wood, metal and upholstery since the early 20th century. Its proximity to Milan also made Brianza a go-to for architects and designers, who sought out artisans with the technical skills to turn their design concepts into well-crafted products. In 1959, three brothers—agostino, Romeo and Pietro Galimberti—started one such workshop, which was then called Flexform di Galimberti (Flexform by Galimberti in the Italian language). As a contraction of “flexible forms” in English, its brand name referenced the versatility of the furniture collections that the brothers wanted to produce. The Galimberti brothers’ sofas and armchairs soon won acclaim, finding their way into elegant buildings in Milan, in villas overlooking Lake Como, and even at the foyer of Teatro alla Scala (popularly known as La Scala), the famed opera house in Milan.