# Pleated Shell Sofas Plissé Sofa by Bertrand Lejoli for Paola Lenti Has a Sculpted Outdoor Shell By Amy Duong | Published 2026-05-03 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pliss-sofa References: [paolalenti.it](https://www.paolalenti.it/)  The Plissé sofa by Bertrand Lejoli for [Paola Lenti](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/azul-chair) is defined by a curved outer shell that wraps around the seating area, creating a continuous [pleated surface](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plissade) across its structure. The design is part of a wider seating collection that includes armchairs and multiple sofa sizes, all sharing the same enveloping form. Its frame is built for [outdoor durability](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orbit-outdoor-furniture), using robust materials suited to exterior environments while maintaining a refined, upholstered appearance. The construction integrates a padded seating element that combines the seat, backrest, and armrests into a single unit positioned within the structural frame. Upholstery options include a range of technical fabrics developed for outdoor use, paired with internal padding designed for comfort and weather resistance. The shell’s pleated detailing is emphasized through hand-finished wrapping techniques that reinforce both structure and visual continuity across the piece. Image Credit: Bertrand Lejoli ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.6/10 - Popularity: 63% | Activity: 32% | Freshness: 72% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Sculpted Outdoor Shell Seating:** Curved, enveloping exterior shells that integrate form and function suggest opportunities to reframe outdoor furniture as architectural, weatherproof living components. - **Integrated One-piece Upholstery:** Unified seat-back-armrest units point to potential for manufacturing processes that simplify assembly while enhancing ergonomic continuity. - **Hand-finished Technical Fabrics:** Artisanal wrapping techniques applied to performance textiles indicate new intersections between craft-led finishing and durable, high-performance outdoor materials. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Outdoor Furniture:** Durable, sculptural seating opens possibilities for product lines that blend residential comfort with commercial-grade weather resistance. - **Hospitality and Resort Design:** Enveloping, sculpted sofas imply opportunities to transform outdoor amenity spaces into branded, resilient guest experiences. - **Textile Manufacturing:** Technical upholstery fabrics paired with hand-finishing suggest innovation in specialized textile treatments and value-added fabrication services. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Ultralight Camp Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zero-lt.md) - [Driver's Seat Desk Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crown-seat-desk-chair.md) - [Heavy-Duty Foam Camping Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hest-foamy-camp-chair.md) - [Adaptive AI-Powered Fitness Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aipowered-fitness-platform.md) - [Knotted Net Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/novum-chair.md) - [Car Seat-Inserted Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toyota-seat-chair.md) - [Racing Camp Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magma-racing.md) - [Wheelchair-Compatible Cabin Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cabin-concept.md) - [Suspended Framed Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/azul-chair.md)