Born in Milan in 1918, Achille Castiglioni trained at the Polytechnic of Milan. In 1944 he set up his own Como-based design office with his brothers, Livio, who left the partnership in 1952, and Pier Giacomo. Achille continued to pursue an active career right up until his death at the age of 95 in February 2003. Zeev Aram held an exhibition of Achille’s designs from his personal collection in tribute to his close friend and collaborator. Aram Store stocks many of Castiglioni’s designs, including perhaps his most iconic, the Arco Lamp.

Since 1912, the general public has always and immediately associated the name Frau with the idea of quality and design furnishing and seating in particular. A name that is so characteristic and instantly linked to German sounds, but which is, in actual fact, simply that of the company’s founder, Sardinian-born Renzo Frau, who, over time, has successfully taken the 'Made in Italy’ style and quality beyond national confines. There have been a great many important moments in the history of Poltrona Frau, and they have all contributed in some way to creating the legend of this company that was founded in Turin and is today a citizen of the world.