Lounge Chair & Ottoman

Design Story

Eames Lounge Chair with Ottoman from Vitra

Eames Lounge Chair – the original comes from Vitra

There are numerous reasons why an original Eames Lounge Chair and the associated Eames Lounge Chair Ottoman can only come from Vitra. Since 1957 Vitra has been the only authorized manufacturer of Eames furniture in Europe: anyone else claiming to sell Eames Lounge Chairs is plagiarising. However, the legal level is only one aspect: the Vitra Lounge Chair has a long history behind it that is inextricably linked with the Swiss manufacturer. Since the 1950s, the founding couple Willi and Erika Fehlbaum had a professional and friendly relationship with Charles and Ray Eames, a relationship which has left a lasting mark on Vitra's company history. Vitra was therefore able to coordinate all decisions and questions that arose from the manufacture of the Lounge Chair directly with the designer couple and later with their heirs. The complex design was implemented in detail according to the specifications of Ray and Charles Eames. Little has changed in this for over 50 years. The Vitra Lounge Chair is still produced in 47 steps, and largely by hand. As unmistakable as they may appear at first glance, copies of the Lounge Chair are always poor in terms of materials, workmanship and attention to detail. Only an original Eames Lounge Chair from Vitra is made of plywood with a panel thickness of 8 mm from controlled cultivation and has the exact proportions of the original design. The original has cushions made of soft aniline leather filled with foam and fleece, which are removable so that they can be replaced. Air holes ensure that air can flow out when you sit down. Made from selected materials and produced in Europe, only an original Vitra Lounge Chair can survive generations and embody the ideal legacy of Ray and Charles Eames. The Eames Lounge Chair is part of the extended Vitra warranty for selected Vitra design classics.

Design

With their Lounge Chair Charles and Ray Eames' intention was to create a contemporary version of the classic club chair. As with the club chair comfort was a top priority. Comfort combined with a hint of luxury. Launched in 1956 the Eames Lounge Chair achieves just this is an object that is lighter, more refined, more elegant than its ancestor. With its dulcet combination of moulded plywood and leather upholstery the Eames Lounge Chair is not only a delightful re-interpretation of a traditional furniture standard but an enchanting combination of materials and emotion. The Eames Lounge Chair is complemented by an equally refined Eames Ottoman. In addition to being included in the Permanent Collections of numerous museums, including the MoMA New York, V&A London or Grassi Museum Leipzig, the Eames Lounge Chair has received numerous prizes including the Triennale Milan Award. Legend has it that the original inspiration for the Lounge Chair cam from a request from the American film director Billy Wilder. A long time friend of Charles and Ray Eames, Billy Wilder would often complain that he was unable to find an armchair which was both contemporary and comfortable. To meet his wishes the Lounge Chair was created. Allegedly. Wilder did however take a deep interest in the development of the project and received one of the earliest prototypes. And so it was only logical that for the Vitra's 1980s "Personalities" advertising campaign Billy Wilder was photographed in and Eames Lounge Chair.

Production

The seat and backrest of the Eames Lounge Chair are formed from a combination of moulded plywood shell and leather upholstery. Each Lounge Chair comprises three such shells: one for the seat, one for the backrest and a third as head rest. The seat construction is completed by a pair of cushioned leather armrests. A swivel, aluminium base supports the seat construction. The complimenting Eames Ottoman is of an identical construction principle as the chair, just with a non-swivel base. Both Lounge chair and Ottoman are available in a range of wood types, leather colours and base finishes. As with all Eames furniture designs the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman are exclusively produced for Europe and Asia by Vitra. And for almost 50 years that production process has involved the same 47 steps. What has changed over the decades is the size of the average human: in some regions we are now on average 10cms taller than in the 1950s. Reflecting this development Vitra now offer the Eames Lounge Chair in two sizes: The classic 84 cms high version and a new 89 cm version. With the Lounge Chair Atelier on the Vitra Campus Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman manufacturer Vitra provides its customers with a unique insight into the making of this most classic of all furniture designs. Visitors are invited to observe and experience how the original Lounge Chair and Ottoman are carefully constructed an assembled. The original Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman were produced from Brazilian Palisander: a wood that since 1968 has been protected by an export ban and since 1998 has been subject to very strict controls on its use. Consequently the modern Vitra Eames Lounge Chair is produced from Santos Palisander - an optically similar but environmentally more justifiable wood type. In addition Vitra offer the Eames Lounge Chair in a dark walnut and a white walnut version. All veneers for Vitra Eames Lounge Chair are sourced from sustainably maintained forests. In addition all