Spotlight... Janus et Cie

The Great Outdoors

With over 40 years of experience, Janus et Cie pairs craftsmanship of the past with innovations of the future to bring design and comfort to the outdoors.

Words: Donna Salek

Lounge poolside or dine al fresco at the world’s top hotels and the chances are, your comfort rests in the arms of Janus et Cie. A leading name in the world of luxury outdoor furniture, the design-driven manufacturer has been furnishing the hospitality industry for over 40 years, its sofas, daybeds and armchairs dressing the patios and terraces of Raffles Singapore, Rosewood Mirabar Beach and Asbury Ocean Club.

Established in 1978 by founder and CEO Janice Feldman, the company began life as a single store in the Los Angeles Pacific Design Centre and has since grown to encompass 19 showrooms across North America, Asia Pacific and Europe, as well as field offices and select dealers across the globe. Following a 2016 acquisition, it is now part of Haworth’s Lifestyle Design family, sitting alongside Cappellini, Cassina and Poltrona Frau, though continuing to operate independently.

For Janus et Cie, there has always been a focus on quality and craftsmanship, and Feldman is known for her commitment to material innovation, having led new product development. “A product’s design can sometimes begin as simply as a sketch on a napkin,” she muses. “I am constantly drawing, looking for creative solutions for our clients and developing new concepts.” Designing some of its most popular collections, the brand’s portfolio blends the luxurious aesthetic typically desired in interior furniture, with the rigorous durability expected of outdoor use.

Whilst Feldman’s own designs have proven popular, collaborations with the likes of Piero Lissoni, Paola Navone and Patricia Urquiola have also been hugely successful. More recently, a partnership with André Fu saw the designer create Rock Garden, his first collection for the brand, which went on to appear in the St. Regis Hong Kong. “Each collaboration has been unique and incredibly special,” Feldman notes. “We seek out skilled and talented visionaries who think outside of the box, and we invite them to bring innovation and expertise to the design table whilst also capturing the core of the brand.”

New for 2020, the Patricia Urquiola-designed Anatra collection has been expanded, with the latest elements constructed using the same soft textured braiding, wrapping the frame to gently create a harmonious weave.

Other products launching this summer include Feldman’s Akuu handwoven seating collection, whilst the Matisse range has also welcomed new functionality, with an armchair featuring the series’ signature geometric sled frame and a comfortable mesh seat.

Resilient materials are common threads that run throughout all of Janus et Cie’s collections. Janusfiber, the brand’s signature ‘generationnext’ fabric, is offered in a multitude of finishes that harmonise with natural or synthetic materials and boasts mildew and microberesistant qualities. With Janus et Cie’s products appearing on cruise liners and yachts too, rigorous testing is conducted to ensure that each meet high performance standards and withstand harsh weather conditions.

Since its inception, Janus et Cie has been acutely aware of its environmental responsibilities. The brand operates with a commitment to eco-friendly practices, implementing the use of innovative sustainable materials such as synthetic wood created using post-consumer plastics, and aluminium frames that are crafted from recycled content and fully recyclable at the end of their life.

Janus et Cie’s success can be attributed to its strong, consistent values and unwavering mission to create beautifully designed outdoor furniture. To understand its ethos, it helps to take a deeper look into the company’s namesake. ‘Janus’ takes after the Roman god, whose face looks both backward and forwards, serving as a metaphor for Janus et Cie’s approach, which honours heritage and craft while looking to the future to pursue the innovation of materials and progressive engineering.

So what does the future hold for the brand? “We will be opening a new showroom in London, another in West Hollywood, and are moving into a new space in Miami,” says Feldman. “The world of design is constantly evolving and there has never been a dull moment since I started the company. We have some exciting collaborations on the horizon, and our team works diligently to ensure that we find a balance between adapting with the changes in the world around us, whilst remaining true to our heritage.” www.janusetcie.com