The Champagne Chair, designed in 1957 by Erwine (1909-2003) and Estelle Laverne (1915-1997), is a celebrated piece of mid-century modern design. Produced by Laverne Originals, this elegant chair stands as a symbol of innovation in materials and form. With its sleek transparent Perspex body and single aluminium pedestal base, the chair seamlessly merges futuristic aesthetics with functional minimalism.
A Vision in Transparency: Continuing Saarinen’s Legacy
The Champagne Chair belongs to the Invisible Group, a collection of Perspex (PMMA) furniture introduced by Laverne Originals in 1958. It was conceived as an evolution of Eero Saarinen’s Tulip Chair (1955-56), which sought to eliminate the visual clutter of traditional four-legged seating. Saarinen famously remarked that conventional chairs contributed to an “ugly, confusing, and disturbing world,” prompting him to design a singular stem-based seat.
Building upon this concept, Erwine and Estelle Laverne pushed the boundaries further by embracing transparent plastics, creating a visually weightless chair yet structurally sound chair. The Champagne Chair, with its fluid, organic form, offers a timeless and sophisticated response to Saarinen’s vision.
The Design: A Sculptural Elegance
At first glance, the Champagne Chair appears almost ethereal. The high-backed transparent shell, gently contoured, resembles the delicate curve of a champagne flute, giving the chair its name. This flowing acrylic form, paired with a tufted leather cushion, provides comfort and visual lightness. The seat rests atop a brushed aluminium base, echoing the slender elegance of a wine stem.
Material and Craftsmanship
- Frame: Transparent PMMA (Perspex/Acrylic)
- Base: Polished Aluminum
- Cushion: Leather, often in brown, red, or grey
- Dimensions: 78.5 x 57.5 x 58 cm
The Laverne duo was known for pioneering modern materials in furniture design. Their work in acrylic plastics predated the iconic Lucite pieces of the 1960s and 1970s. Their mastery in crafting seamless, sculptural furniture set a precedent for later designers exploring synthetic materials.
The Champagne Chair in the Context of Mid-Century Design
The 1950s and ’60s saw a surge of experimentation with new materials as designers sought to create functional, futuristic, and aesthetically pleasing furniture. The Lavernes, inspired by Bauhaus principles and the organic modernism of Saarinen and Charles & Ray Eames, sought to blur the lines between art, design, and technology.
Their use of Perspex allowed them to break away from wood and metal traditions and embrace weightless transparency. This gave interiors an open, spacious feel, aligning with mid-century modern ideals of simplicity, openness, and integration with the surrounding environment.
Influence and Legacy
Though less widely recognized than Saarinen or Eames, the Laverne Originals brand was crucial in advancing experimental furniture design. The Champagne Chair remains a collector’s piece, sought after for its unique blend of transparency, elegance, and sculptural quality.
Many contemporary designers have revisited the concept of clear furniture, but the Champagne Chair’s refined balance of form and function stands apart. It encapsulates the mid-century beauty ethos through simplicity, proving that good design never goes out of style.
In the Media
Design Show Interesting Blends – Highlights the Champagne Chair
Article from 3 Jan 1962 Staten Island Advance (Staten Island, New York)
Where to See the Champagne Chair
This design classic is exhibited at the Design Museum in Brussels, where its historical significance and aesthetic innovation continue to captivate design enthusiasts and historians alike. Whether placed in a modernist home, an avant-garde office, or a museum collection, the Champagne Chair remains an icon of elegant minimalism.
Sources
Design Museum Brussels. (n.d.). Champagne Chair. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://collection.designmuseum.brussels/en/champagne-ch1
Sources
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