LÉGÈRE ARMCHAIR AND SOFA || Angelo Mangiarotti’s Vision Returns with a Contemporary Textile Soul
Some searches are about utility, others about comfort.
I’ve been searching high and low for seating that gently embraces a bibliophile like me, who likes to curl up in a chair or sofa for extended periods of time. The Légère design is on my list of candidates. Originally conceived by Angelo Mangiarotti and Chiara Pampo, this re-edition by Paola Lenti carries the warmth of memory within its generous forms. It is a piece that does not simply accommodate the body; it embraces it, with cushions that seem to fall into place as naturally as a book resting in hand. At the same time, its oak frame and structural textile shell root it firmly in the language of design, where innovation and heritage quietly meet.
Some furniture invites you to sit; others invite you to stay. Légère, reintroduced in 2025, belongs to the latter category. More than a seat, it is an embrace.
Légère armchair in natural oak, where the frame and cushions form a dialogue of strength and softness. Images above and below: © Paola Lenti srl - ph. by Sergio Chimenti
The re-edition speaks to Paola Lenti’s ongoing dialogue between past and present. In choosing to revive Mangiarotti’s vision, the brand underscores its respect for design heritage while subtly shaping it for today’s interiors. With its solid oak frame, available in natural or stained finishes, and its self-supporting textile shell made of the brand’s exclusive Piqué fabric, Légère gains an unmistakably contemporary voice. The cushions, casually set into place, provide an informality that feels inviting, even while the underlying engineering reveals careful intention.
Comfort here is not accidental. Mangiarotti’s original concept was to transcend the conventions of upholstery by rethinking how textiles and structure might work together. The result, decades later, still feels fresh: cushions that cradle without constraining, a frame that grounds without overwhelming, and proportions that allow the sitter to linger in ease.
An invitation to linger: Légère transforms seating into a timeless gesture of comfort and memory. © Paola Lenti srl - ph. by Sergio Chimenti
Paola Lenti’s re-edition takes it a step further by incorporating her company’s textile expertise and ethical values into the design. The carefully curated palette of colours harmonizes with the brand’s vast repertoire of exclusive fabrics, giving each piece a versatility that adapts to both intimate reading corners and expansive contemporary living spaces.
In Légère, memory becomes tangible. It is the memory of a designer who sought timeless clarity, the memory of forms that balance strength and softness, and the memory of time itself, where time spent in a chair encourages you to pause, read, and snuggle in a little longer than planned.
Cover photo image © Paola Lenti srl - ph. by Sergio Chimenti
