In 1955, in a small upholstery workshop in Aarhus, Denmark, Lars Wendelbo’s father, Tage, laid the first stitch in what would become a global design brand. Seventy years on, Wendelbo is recognised internationally, yet its roots remain embedded in the quiet, hands-on dedication of a family workshop and values passed down through generations.
“I still remember the smell of wood wool when I came to the workshop as a boy,” Lars reflects. “Back then, foam wasn’t as common. The smell, the atmosphere – it stayed with me.” For young Lars, the workshop was more than a place of work. “It was a playground. I loved coming there.”
With generations of upholsterers in the family – from his father and grandfather to uncles and great-uncles – the path felt almost inevitable. “I never really thought about doing anything else. It felt natural that I should be one too.”
As the company evolved, so did its ambitions. In 2007, Lars and his wife, Christina, relocated to Ho Chi Minh City to open a new chapter in Wendelbo’s production story. The team then counted just 20 people. In those early years, the couple introduced an extensive training programme to equip employees with the skills, care, and sensibility required by Wendelbo’s approach to upholstery.
Today, that team has grown to several hundred, and the knowledge passed down from one pair of hands to the next is still felt in every design. “I’m always proud when I walk through production and see what our skilled employees are able to produce,” Lars says. His son, Christian da Silva Wendelbo, now leads the production in Vietnam, continuing the family legacy into its third generation.
A defining moment came not long after the move to Vietnam. “After the first year, we saw growing interest in our designs – and from markets we had never reached before.” Since then, Wendelbo has expanded steadily, now represented by over 200 high end retailers across the world and collaborating with renowned international designers.
In 2020, the role of CEO was passed to Christian Ernemann, who has led the company into a new era of international growth and creative ambition. In recent years, Lars has focused on what he is most passionate about: product development and working closely with the designers shaping the collection.
As Wendelbo marked its 70th anniversary during 3daysofdesign this year, Lars hopes the company will continue to be defined by what has always mattered most: timeless design, enduring craftsmanship, and a deeply human approach to making. “We’ve come a long way – but the essence is still the same.”
Earlier this year, after more than 45 years in the industry, Lars formally stepped back from daily operations – though not from the company. He remains an active member of Wendelbo’s board and design advisory group, continuing to offer insight and continuity while making room for the next generation.
“It feels just right,” he reflects. “We have a fantastic team of skilled and committed employees who’ve taken the baton. It’s a joy to watch from the sidelines.” Letting go, he adds, was never abrupt. “It’s something we’ve planned over time, so it hasn’t been difficult. And it feels good to focus more on family, on travel – while still being connected to the company and industry I care for.”
“We’ve come a long way – but the essence is still the same.”
