This October, Elmo’s Madrid showroom hosts a rare exhibition of Italian design history. To mark the occasion, we sat down with Roberta Meloni, CEO of Poltronova, to talk about the company’s enduring vision and its long-standing collaboration with Elmo leather.
“Our relationship with Elmo goes back decades,” Meloni begins. “Poltronova has always been committed to working with partners who share our values of quality, longevity, and respect for materials. That is why we chose them to upholster some of our most iconic pieces — Joe and Joe Ball by De Pas, D’Urbino and Lomazzi, and the cushions of the Saratoga system designed by Lella & Massimo Vignelli. These are objects that have become symbols of Italian design, and they needed materials that could match their timelessness.”
“These symbols of Italian design need materials that can match their timelessness.”
For Meloni, Elmo’s leather stands apart. “It’s about authenticity and sensuality,” she explains. “Elmo leathers have a natural depth that enhances the bold forms of our products. They don’t try to cover or disguise the object — they emphasise it. When you sit in a Joe armchair, for instance, you feel the softness of the leather, but also its structure, its durability. That combination — comfort and strength — is essential for our design philosophy.”
“Elmo leather ensures that our products don’t just survive, they age beautifully and gain cultural value over time.”
Poltronova’s close dialogue with designers has always influenced material choices, and leather has played a central role in ensuring that their icons retain relevance across generations. “An icon is not only about form, but about the quality of the materials that carry that form into the future,” Meloni says. “A radical sofa made with poor or artificial materials may capture attention for a while, but it won’t last. Elmo leather ensures that our products don’t just survive, they age beautifully and gain cultural value over time.”
The dialogue between past and present continues today with the re-issue of Plasma, a postmodern armchair designed by Nigel Coates. Upholstered in Elmo leather, it demonstrates how heritage and innovation can co-exist. “By using Elmo, we give Plasma a new life,” says Meloni. “It speaks to contemporary audiences while remaining true to its radical roots. This is not only about preserving history, but also about creating new chapters.”
Sustainability is another shared value that underpins the collaboration. Elmo’s commitment to responsible production and traceability means that Poltronova can stand behind the material not only aesthetically but ethically.
The exhibition in Madrid celebrates this ongoing partnership between daring Italian design and Swedish material excellence. It shows how Elmo leather adds cultural and emotional value to design icons, ensuring their relevance, beauty, and durability for decades to come.