Dear Sophie -
What's lovely about Vitra is it started as a hobby. The Vitra family actually manufactured medical supplies, but privately had a fascination with design and amassed an extensive collection. When they recognized they had the capacity to actually reproduce some of these objects, they sought permission from the artists and the rights to their patents. Today they produce designs of some of the finest designers from around the globe including VERNER PANTON, HELLA JONGERIUS, GEORGE NELSON, CHARLES & RAY EAMES, ALEXANDER GIRARD. (That was one privileged heck-of-a tour!)
In addition to their collection, they commissioned wonderful architects for their museum and campus including FRANK GEHRY and ZAHA HADID for the spectacular yet not too practical fire station.
oops.
Mom