2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary Danish architect and designer Verner Panton. To celebrate his legacy, Vitra and the Vitra Design Museum are planning a year-long programme of events and initiatives in collaboration with the Panton family. Highlights include exhibitions, the launch of products in new fabrics and leathers, several limited editions, and the reissue of one of his most playful designs.
Join the Vitra community and be the first to discover new Panton products, exclusive limited editions, and exciting events.
Join the Vitra community and be the first to discover new Panton products, exclusive limited editions, and exciting events.
‘The main purpose of my work is to provoke people into using their imagination.’
Verner Panton
Verner Panton was one of the most influential architect and designers of his time. Born in Denmark, Panton relocated to Switzerland in the early 1960s and started together with Vitra the development process of the Panton Chair based on Verner Panton’s first full-scale model from 1958. In addition to his innovative furnishings, he became known for his bold and experimental approach to lighting, new materials, textiles and interior concepts, as well as his masterful use of colour.
Verner Panton was one of the most influential architect and designers of his time. Born in Denmark, Panton relocated to Switzerland in the early 1960s and started together with Vitra the development process of the Panton Chair based on Verner Panton’s first full-scale model from 1958. In addition to his innovative furnishings, he became known for his bold and experimental approach to lighting, new materials, textiles and interior concepts, as well as his masterful use of colour.
Verner Panton and Vitra
In the early 1950s, Verner Panton began exploring the idea of a chair made from a single material and formed in one piece. By the mid-1950s he had developed the drawings, and in 1958 the first full-scale model was completed. Willi Fehlbaum, the founder of Vitra, was interested in the idea but only agreed to it when his son Rolf Fehlbaum paid a visit to Panton, returned with glowing reports and initiated further development. This led to the collaboration with Vitra in the early 1960s on the development of the Panton Chair and in 1967 the first cantilever chair moulded from a single piece of glass-fiber reinforced polyester was born. Today, it is one of the most striking and best-known icons of 20th century furniture design.
The professional collaboration between Verner Panton and Vitra evolved into lasting ties with his family, who remained in the Basel area – where his wife Marianne still resides today. Verner Panton passed away in Copenhagen in 1998. The close partnership continues through Marianne Panton and their daughter Carin Panton von Halem and extends to re-editions of the Cone Chair, Heart Cone Chair, Amoebe, Amoebe Highback, Visiona Stool and Living Tower, which have been manufactured by Vitra since 2004.
In the early 1950s, Verner Panton began exploring the idea of a chair made from a single material and formed in one piece. By the mid-1950s he had developed the drawings, and in 1958 the first full-scale model was completed. Willi Fehlbaum, the founder of Vitra, was interested in the idea but only agreed to it when his son Rolf Fehlbaum paid a visit to Panton, returned with glowing reports and initiated further development. This led to the collaboration with Vitra in the early 1960s on the development of the Panton Chair and in 1967 the first cantilever chair moulded from a single piece of glass-fiber reinforced polyester was born. Today, it is one of the most striking and best-known icons of 20th century furniture design.
The professional collaboration between Verner Panton and Vitra evolved into lasting ties with his family, who remained in the Basel area – where his wife Marianne still resides today. Verner Panton passed away in Copenhagen in 1998. The close partnership continues through Marianne Panton and their daughter Carin Panton von Halem and extends to re-editions of the Cone Chair, Heart Cone Chair, Amoebe, Amoebe Highback, Visiona Stool and Living Tower, which have been manufactured by Vitra since 2004.
Verner Panton and Vitra Design Museum
The Vitra Design Museum maintains one of the most important Verner Panton collections. These holdings serve as a key resource for exhibitions, loans, and publications, all under approval by Verner Panton Design AG.
In 2000, the Vitra Design Museum presented a comprehensive retrospective of Verner Panton’s work, and a new exhibition will open in May 2026 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth.
The Vitra Design Museum maintains one of the most important Verner Panton collections. These holdings serve as a key resource for exhibitions, loans, and publications, all under approval by Verner Panton Design AG.
In 2000, the Vitra Design Museum presented a comprehensive retrospective of Verner Panton’s work, and a new exhibition will open in May 2026 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth.
