De Sede: When a Saddle Shop Became a Design Legend

In 1962, Ernst Lüthy ran a small saddler's workshop in Klingnau, Switzerland. He worked with leather the way his father and grandfather had—cutting, stitching, shaping hides by hand. But Lüthy saw something others didn't: the techniques used to make saddles could create furniture that would last generations.

By 1965, the family business became De Sede AG. What started as custom commissions for local clients grew into something much larger. Swiss precision met sculptural design. The company began collaborating with international designers, but never abandoned its roots in traditional leather craftsmanship.

The Swiss Difference

De Sede's workshop in Klingnau processes over 32,000 square meters of premium leather annually. Each hide is inspected, cut, and stitched by upholsterers who learned their trade through years of apprenticeship. Many details are still hand-finished—a deliberate choice in an era of mass production.

The leather itself tells the story. De Sede uses thick, natural hides that develop patina over decades. The grain, the weight, the way it softens with use—these aren't flaws to be hidden under treatments. They're the material showing its character.

Icons of 1970s Design

The DS-600 "Non-Stop" modular sofa became De Sede's signature piece in the 1970s. Individual leather sections zip together, allowing owners to create endless configurations—a snake winding through a room, an intimate circle, a traditional sofa. It's still in production today.

Other classics followed: the Terrazza sofa by Ubald Klug, the DS-31 swivel chair, the sculptural Boxing Glove chair by Susi and Ueli Berger. Each piece combined Swiss engineering with bold, sculptural forms that defined the era.

Built to Last

Today, De Sede produces over 11,000 pieces annually, with 70% exported to more than 40 countries. Vintage De Sede furniture from the 1960s and 1970s remains highly sought after by collectors and interior designers—not as artifacts, but as functional pieces that continue to improve with age.

The company's philosophy hasn't changed since 1962: respect the material, trust the craftsman, build furniture that outlasts trends. In mid-century modern and vintage design furniture, few names carry the weight of Swiss precision quite like De Sede.

Explore our De Sede collection and discover Swiss leather craftsmanship from the 1960s-1990s. View items on our website: vintz.nl