The Chair of a Century

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The Chair of a Century The Chair of a Century Intro Charles and Ray Eames sitting onEamesFiberglass andRay Chairs,1960Charles Eamessitting made of integrally dyedmade of integrally fibreglass. furnishings first and the purposes, different to ofbasessuited system anassortment with Fiberglass seating Chairs were first alsothe andback components. The seat separate in1950,creation mostchairs oftwo consisted mouldedshellinonepiece.Before ally their chairs- mass-produced athree-dimension with The EamesFiberglass Chairs were first the seven decades. Eames shellchairs relevant hasremained for als evolved over designconcept time,the ofthe - ofvariants range andmateri Whilethe ations. gener inspire and publicspaces,cameto chairs inhomes,offices proliferated quickly The an optional cushion orfullupholstery. seat with offered basesandwere later al different whichseverArmchair, couldbecombinedwith marketon the Fiberglass asthe SideChairand In 1950, Eames shellchairs the were launched new typology. seating achievedonly a goal,butalsoestablished this Eamesshellchairs,ground-breaking they not the humanbody.With ofthe contours the fit to shellmoulded ideaofasingle seat the plored For many years, andRay Charles Eamesex-

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Intro As Charles and Ray Eames pioneered the use In 1993, Vitra discontinued production of the of integral dyes for fibreglass, they spent fibreglass shells for reasons of occupational countless hours working to achieve the perfect safety and ecology. A few years later, in close results for each colour. cooperation with the Eames Office, Vitra reintroduced the Eames Shell Chairs with seat The Eames shell chairs were conceived as a shells made of polypropylene, a thermoplastic group, consisting of the two seat shells, various polymer that satisfied technical demands in bases and several upholstery options. The first regard to shape, strength and resilience. models to be launched were a rocking chair with wooden runners, a lounge chair on a wire Thanks to a new high-tech production process, base, and a chair with four tubular steel legs. Vitra relaunched the Eames Fiberglass Chairs Other bases followed – some swivel-mounted in 2018 in the original material of fibreglass. – with components made of cast aluminium, The colour selection is based on the vintage

Intro wire or wood. All of the supports were at- hues designed by Charles and Ray Eames.

tached to the fibreglass shells with so-called Intro shock mounts, an innovation that Charles and Ray Eames had already developed in 1946.

Due to their inherent variability, the chairs can be used in almost any setting, whether in homes, offices or public spaces. There are task chairs, dining chairs, stadium chairs, lounge chairs, rocking chairs, auditorium chairs, stacking chairs, chairs with and without upholstery – and the shells are available in a myriad of colours. New Colour Spectrum The 2019 colour update creates a new link between the Eames Fiberglass Chairs and the Eames Plastic Chairs. In an extensive process of research and analysis, the historical Eames colours have inspired a harmonious palette that emphasises the affinity of the two chair groups. The result is a rich spectrum of hues highlighting the special properties of the different materials. The interplay of vibrant and more subtle colours makes it easy to combine

New Colour Spectrum – The Designers New Colour Spectrum Eames Plastic Chairs and Eames Fiberglass Chairs. The new colour range for the shells and Hopsak cover fabric was developed in close collaboration with the Eames Office. Vitra now offers more than 100,000 possible combinations for the chairs in these two product families. New Colour Spectrum – The Designers

The Designers Charles and Ray Eames are counted among the most important figures of twentieth-century design. Their work spans the fields of furniture design, filmmaking, photography and exhibi- tion design. Vitra is the sole authorised manu- facturer of Eames products for Europe and the Middle East. When you own an Eames product made by Vitra, you know it is an original. Neutral Tones Colours like white and a variety of grey tones comple-

Neutral TonesNeutral ment one another and har- monise well with subtle colour schemes. Calm and elegant, Neutral Tones they make a perfect addition to any environment. Neutral Tones Neutral

Neutral Tones Neutral Tones Neutral

Neutral Tones Mid Tones The mid tones occupy the centre of the overall spectrum. Mid Tones They contain influences of

the neutral and bright colour Mid Tones groups, but with a ‘moderate’ appearance. Mid Tones Mid

Mid Tones Mid Tones Mid

Mid Tones Bright Tones

Bright Tones Bright

with their vibrant clarity. They instantly catch the eye instantly catchThey theeye the bright colour group. The pure shades make up up The pure shades make

Bright Tones Bright Tones Bright

Bright Tones Start your configuration Seat shells Bases Or select a predefined combination

DSR / DSW / RAR / PACC / Dining Height Dining Height Rocking Pivot Armchair Side Chair Side Chair Armchair Cast Base Rod Base Wood Base Rod Base on Castors

DSX / DSS / DSX / DSW / Dining Height Dining Height Dining Height Dining Height Side Chair Side Chair Side Chair Side Chair X-Base Stacking Base X-Base Wood Base Predefined combinations Predefined

PSCC / DKX / DSR / DAX / Pivot Side Chair Dining Height Dining Height Dining Height Cast Base K-Wire Shell Side Chair Armchair on Castors X-Base Rod Base X-Base Predefined combinations

DKR / DKW / DAR / DAW / Dining Height Dining Height Dining Height Dining Height K-Wire Shell K-Wire Shell Armchair Armchair Rod Base Wood Base Rod Base Wood Base

DAR / DAW / Beam Dining Height Dining Height Seating Armchair Armchair Side Chair / Rod Base Wood Base Armchair

DAX / DAL / Dining Height Dining Height Eames Fiberglass Chair Armchair Armchair X-Base La Fonda Base Eames Plastic Chair Select a shell colour and Wire Chair colours

metal basic metal chrome metal cream metal dark grey base material dark powder- 01 powder-coated powder-coated coated 17 32 30

Plastic shell colours

white granite grey poppy red deep black forest 04 56 03 12 48

Wire Chair base colours

ice grey sunlight light grey pale rose pebble metal basic metal chrome metal cream metal dark grey 23 26 24 41 11 dark powder- 01 powder-coated powder-coated coated 17 32 30 Shell colours and bases

rusty orange sea blue mustard green solid wood wood solid solid wood 43 83 34 42 dark maple maple golden black maple 95 02 30 Shell colours and bases

Fiberglass shell colours Base colours

Eames Eames Eames Eames Eames metal basic solid wood solid wood Sea Foam Parchment Red Orange Ochre Dark Ochre Light dark powder- ash honey dark maple Green 01 03 08 07 coated 65 95 05 30

Eames Eames Eames Eames metal solid wood wood solid Red Raw Umber Elephant Navy Blue chrome black maple maple golden 09 06 Hide Grey 02 01 30 02 04 Choose an upholstery or keep it naked

Full Seat No upholstery cushion upholstery Upholstery Upholstery yellow / nero / sea blue / warmgrey / poppy red / pastel green forest ivory moor brown ivory Choose the cover colour 71 77 25 80 67

grass-green / petrol / dark blue / marron / cognac / ivory moor brown ivory moor brown ivory 69 73 74 76 88

grass-green / ice blue / dark blue / red / nude / forest ivory moor brown moor brown ivory 70 81 75 62 17

ivory / ice blue / dark grey red / warmgrey / forest moor brown 05 cognac ivory 87 82 96 79 Upholstery colours Upholstery

mint / sea blue / dark grey / red / yellow / ivory dark grey nero poppy red ivory 85 22 24 63 16 Upholstery colours

green / blue / nero coral / mustard / ivory moor brown 66 poppy red ivory 20 84 65 18

mint / blue / nero / pink / mustard / forest ivory ivory poppy red dark grey 86 83 23 68 19

Checker black white 01 Or select a predefined colour combination

ice blue / mint / green / ivory / blue / white shell - ivory ivory ivory forest ivory 81 85 20 87 83 white piping

sea blue / dark blue / nero / poppy red / cognac / ivory ivory ivory ivory ivory 25 74 23 67 88

mustard / yellow / nude / warmgrey / ivory ivory ivory ivory 18 16 17 79 Shells Predefined colour combinations

nero / ice blue / blue / sea blue / nero / black shell - ivory moor brown moor brown dark grey forest 23 82 84 22 77 black piping

petrol / dark grey dark grey / dark blue / nero moor brown 05 nero moor brown 66 73 24 75

marron / red / mustard / warmgrey / moor brown moor brown dark grey moor brown 76 62 19 80 The Chair of a Century a of Chair The in wood, with seat and back with seat and back in wood, as two separate components. Did you know that know the Eames Did you the first were shell chairs three shell chairs dimensional to be successfully mass-produced with seat and back in only one piece? their creation in 1950, Before produced were most chairs

Did you know? Did you know that Charles and Ray Eames were the first designers to create fibreglass with integral colours?

Did you know? Charles and Ray Eames were the first to develop dyes for

fibreglass. Up until that time, The Chair of a Century paint had been applied to the finished surface – but no one before them had coloured the fibreglass resin with integral dyes. Did you know that this was the first chair system to be developed for so many different uses? Did you know? With the relaunch of the

Fiberglass Chair and con- The Chair of a Century tinuing production of the Plastic Chair, Vitra now offers more than 100,000 possible combinations. The Eames Shell Chair

For many years, Charles and Ray Eames explored the idea of a single chair shell moulded to fit the contours of the human body. 1990

They finally achieved their goal with the 1948 design of the Eames 1950 shell chair, a ground-breaking innovation that established a new seating typology: the multi-functional chair combining a single seat shell and variable bases. The chairs quickly became ubiqui-

tous in homes, offices and public spaces alike, and the Eames 1955

design came to inspire generations. While the Eames shell chair's 1993 variants and materials evolved over time, its design concept has stayed relevant for seven decades.

1950 The Eames shell chairs are Over the next years, bolder colours cooperation with Eames Demetrios, launched on the market as the Fiber- are added to the collection. grandson of Charles and Ray Eames glass Armchair and Fiberglass Side and Director of the Eames Office. 1960 Chair, in combination with several 1961 For New York’s La Fonda del Sol The new colour selection is based on 1951 different bases. First available in the restaurant designed by Alexander the original hues designed by the versions LAR, RAR, SAX and LAX, Girard, Charles and Ray Eames modify Eameses in the early 1950s. Together 1998

Timeline the chairs are initially offered with the shape of the fibreglass shells with Demetrios, Vitra researched the shells in three colours specially and create the new La Fonda base. vintage colours of the Eames fibre- developed by the Eameses: greige, glass shells in the holdings of the Vitra elephant-hide grey and parchment. 1963 Launch of the Eames Tandem Design Museum. Later the colour palette is expanded Shell Seating. Timeline to include sea foam green, lemon 2019 Vitra extends the repair and yellow and red, along with a choice 1970 Charles and Ray Eames produce service offer with the exchange of shells of several more bases: DAR, DSR, the film: “The Fiberglass Chairs: and bases for the Fiberglass and DAX, DSX, DAW and DSW. Each three- Something of How They Get the Way Plastic Chairs and introduces a take- letter acronym refers to the height They Are”. back program, which will ensure of the chair, the shell type (armchair the chairs to be properly recycled at 1961 or side chair) and the type of base. 1990 Vitra initiates the first commercial the end of their life. launch of La Chaise, a reclining piece 1951 The Eames Wire Chair is intro- designed by Charles and Ray Eames at New colour range process 2018 duced, repeating the shape of the the same time as the Fiberglass Chairs The 2019 colour update creates a new Fiberglass Side Chair in a different in the late 1940s. link between the Eames Fiberglass 1953 material. The Eames Fiberglass Chairs and the Eames Plastic Chairs. Side Chair becomes available with 1993 Vitra discontinues production In an extensive process of research upholstery. of the fibreglass shells for reasons of and analysis, the historical Eames occupational safety and ecology. colours have inspired a harmonious 1953 An upholstered version of the palette that emphasises the affinity Eames Fiberglass Armchair is marketed. 1998 In close collaboration with the of the two chair groups. The result Eames Office, the Eames shell chairs is a rich spectrum of hues highlighting 1954 Eames Stadium Seating is are reintroduced with shells made the special properties of the different 1963 developed as a prototype. of polypropylene, a thermoplastic materials. The interplay of vibrant polymer that satisfies technical and more subtle colours makes it easy 2019 1955 The Eames Stacking Side Chair demands in regard to shape, strength to combine Eames Plastic Chairs and 1954 (DSS) is launched. Introduction and resilience. The substitution of Eames Fiberglass Chairs. The new of the Eames Pivoting Armchair and polypropylene for fibreglass makes colour range for the shells and Hopsak Pivoting Side Chair on a contract it possible to manufacture the Eames cover fabric was developed in close (cast aluminium) base (PACC, PSCC). shell chairs with more affordable collaboration with the Eames Office. production techniques. 1960 The following shell colours are introduced to the market: navy blue, 2018 Thanks to a new high-tech seal brown, raw umber, ochre light, production process, Vitra reintroduces olive green dark and red orange. the Eames Fiberglass Chairs in close 1970 9 © –

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Worldwide distribution Worldwide Worldwide distribution rights Worldwide Distribution rights Akari for Distribution rights the Butterflyfor Sori Yanagi → Sori Yanagi Stool restricted to Europe, Africa and North and South America. North America; distribution rights the Dining for North Knoll Inc. for held by America. Table Distribution rights: All of the in this designs shown publication are protected copyright. by Vitra and the Vitra Design Museum have been authorised the by of theowners intellectual property rights to manufacture and distribute these and designs worldwide rights their for hold the exclusive production and sale. restrictionsThe following apply: Charles & Ray Eames → Worldwide distribution rights Organic Chair, La Chaise, for Eames Paper Elephant, Plywood Mobile, Trays, Classic Napkins, Greeting Cards, Eames Quotes Posters, Eames Quotes Greeting Cards, Eames Wool the MiniaturesBlankets and for Collection; distribution rights all other furniture for designs other Europe only and the for Middle East. For regions, please contact Herman Miller, Inc. Girard → Alexander rights, with the exception of Environmental Wall of Environmentalrights, Wall with the exception areHangings, which restricted only to Europe Light Sculptures restricted to Europe (excluding and Australia.France) Distribution rights for Herman Miller, Inc. for held by the Coffee Table and the Middle East. For other regions,and the please Middle East. For contact Herman Miller, Inc. George Nelson → all clocks and the Miniaturesfor Collection; distribution rights other exclusively designs for other Europefor and the Middle East. For regions, please contact Herman Miller, Inc. → Isamu Noguchi Vitra is represented worldwide. Vitra local partner can Your at www.vitra.com/be found dealers

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