What can’t John Edelman do? Design-savvy with an innate business sense, Edelman—who helmed modern furniture brand Heller since 2022—makes his next move, joining Haworth Lifestyle as President, North and South America. In his new role, Edelman will oversee operations for Cappellini, Cassina, Ceccotti, Poltrona Frau, and Zanotta, bringing a fresh perspective and decades of expertise in the American market.
At the same time, Heller also joins the Haworth umbrella. Andrew McPhee, the brand’s current chief operating officer, will assume the executive role of general manager as Edelman stays on as creative director. “With our combined efforts and John’s creative vision, we can put Heller where it deserves to be,” states Franco Bianchi, President & CEO of Haworth. “We want lovers of Heller to know the brand is in good hands as Haworth will focus on providing the resources needed to grow and flourish.”
John Edelman On Italian Design, Business Strategy, and More
In appointing Edelman as President, North and South America, Haworth Lifestyle aims to localize its leadership and ground the Americas operations in institutional knowledge. “We have 100 years of design excellence to our name but have always approached business with an Italian point of view. Bringing on an American executive like John is a pivotal next step in the evolution of Haworth Lifestyle,” shares says Dario Rinero, CEO, Haworth Lifestyle.
“John is one of, if not the most, knowledgeable leaders in our sector, which is why we approached him for this role. His expertise, design background and charismatic voice will help us adapt and serve the opportunities available in the Americas,” he continues.
For Edelman, who led Heller to win several Interior Design Best of Year Awards, the move serves as a culmination of his career to date, from his family’s leather company to Design Within Reach and, most recently, Heller. “I met Franco and Dario years and years ago and we struck up a friendship,” Edelman shares, noting that there’s long been a desire to work together. “When I think about the vision Franco and Dario put together, creating this collection of brands that tells a unified story without losing the integrity of each brand, it’s extremely exciting,” he adds.
On a personal note, Edelman recalls his parents sipping cocktails on Poltrona Frau’s Vanity Fair chairs in their home. “This role is a combination of people that I respect and product that I adore. If you combine those two things together, that’s an opportunity to create something where the sum is bigger than the parts,” Edelman says.
Edelman’s knowledge of Italian design runs deep. Working alongside his father years ago, Edelman frequently visited leather tanneries in Italy, gaining a deep appreciation for Italian craftsmanship—and luxury, which, he asserts, is not rooted in dollars, but in a vision. “Italian craftspeople understand inherently what luxury is supposed to be,” he shares, likening the concept to a delectable morning espresso sipped slowly. “I can tell that story and champion that history of craftsmanship, as well as the future of design.”
In his new role, Edelman sees an opportunity to nurture Haworth Lifestyle’s relationship between Italy and the Americas, creating a more unified presence for the collection of brands and easing the specification process for designers. With a deep understanding of what design narratives resonate in the Americas, and why, the idea is that Haworth Lifestyle products will reveal themselves to the right audience. “Rather than pushing items into the U.S. market, we aim to have the U.S. market pull items from Europe,” Edelman explains.
Grateful to be working with Haworth Lifestyle, Edelman says he is eager to get started. “Every once in a while, you get in the right place, at the right time, with the right people and I think it’s recognizing those moments that change your life,” he shares. “This is a huge leap for me. Simultaneously, it’s a huge leap for Haworth Lifestyle—one with great opportunity—and it excites me to the core.”
Always the multi-hyphenate, Edelman, President of Be Original Americas—an organization that aims to protect authenticity in design—sits on the Chilewich board of directors and is executive chairman of Crypton Fabrics. He also serves on the board of Design Leadership Network and the board of trustees at the New York School of Interior Design.
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