Rolf Fehlbaum (born April 6, 1941 in Basel) is chairman emeritus and active member of the board of directors of Vitra, a family-owned furniture company with headquarters in Birsfelden, Switzerland.

In 1970 he moved to Munich to work as an editor and producer for the Bavaria Film Company and from 1973 to 1977 he was responsible for education and training at the Bavarian Chamber of Architects.

Subsequently, Vitra obtained the rights to designs by Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson for the Europe and the Middle East.

Founded in 1989 and housed in a building by Frank Gehry, the museum is partly based on the own broad collection of 20th century furniture as well as host of visiting exhibitions.

In this sense, within the framework of discussions with Jasper Morrison and the brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, the basic concept of the Vitra Home Collection was developed.

Rolf Fehlbaum became acquainted with prominent designers such as George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames at an early age – initially in his role as a translator for his father.

In 1960, a trip to the United States lasting several months gave him the opportunity to meet George Nelson in New York City, the Eameses in Los Angeles, and Alexander Girard[9] in New Mexico.

In the beginning of the 1980s, he commissioned Nicholas Grimshaw[13] to construct new factory buildings and develop a plan for the company premises after a fire had destroyed a large part of the facilities.

These pieces form the core of the Vitra Design Museum Collection, and Fehlbaum remains close to this project as it expands.