The Ribbon Chair

I wanted to share a design classic with you today, one with all the curves and colour of the 1960s and 1970s, The Ribbon Chair by Pierre Paulin. Paulin was born in France in 1927, he studied as a sculptor but injury forced him to reconsider his path in life. Paulin was very influenced by a favourite uncle, Georges Paulin, a hero of French Resistance who invented an automobile part, the mechanical retractible hardtop, and was executed by the Nazis.

Paulin worked for Thonet, stretching swimming fabric over frames, but he really found his stride when working for Dutch company Artifort. The Mushroom chair in 1960 fitted perfectly into this futuristic decade. Colourful fabrics and patterns in curvaceous shapes, comfort and beauty were at the forefront.

The Ribbon chair followed in 1966 and the Tongue chair in 1968. Paulin’s pieces where popular with Georges Pompidou, his interior design could be found in the Élysée Palace. Today the chairs are displayed as works of art in the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Paulin inspired many designers after him, including Olivier Mourgue who created Dijnn chairs featured in 2001: A Space Odyssey. You can spot the classic Ribbon chair on the small and silver screen, including the recent film, Blade Runner: 2049.

The Ribbon chair has flare, stunning from every angle. A design classic who’s appeal has endured and will continue to do so.

Sources: Main image: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Bottom image: 1, 2, 3.