The latest personalities to be added to the Vitra collection are a diverse bunch, ranging from 'Chairless' - a textile strap tool for sitting by Alejandro Aravena - to a fully-fledged modular sofa unit called 'Suita', by Antonio Citterio.
Chairless is a mobile alternative to a chair, designed for situations where a chair isn't available. The Chilean architect's design is an industrial version of a sitting strap used by Ayoreo Indians - a nomadic South American tribe - and some of its proceeds will go towards supporting these people. We're not entirely convinced about its comfort factor, but we're withholding judgement, having not yet given it a test drive.
Suita is a light and elegant range of seating elements, with a sleek, steel frame. We like its legs - made from delicate-looking aluminium die-casting - which give the sofa a floating appearance. Also on show at the Vitra stand is the organically-shaped 'Flower' bench by SANAA and some new editions of 1950s Eames classics - a recyclable version of the 'Plastic Armchair' and an even more comfortable edition of the iconic 'Lounge Chair & Ottoman', whose proportions have been adjusted to account for the increase in the average human height.
'Eames Plastic Side Chair' - a recyclable edition of the 1950s classic by Charles and Ray Eames.
'Suita' by Antonio Citterio, 2010, for Vitra.
'Flower' by SANAA, 2001/2010, for Vitra.
'Lounge Chair and Ottoman' - a new edition of the 1956 classic by Charles and Ray Eames, with enlarged proportions.
'Chairless' by Alejandro Aravena, 2010, for Vitra.
'Chairless' by Alejandro Aravena, 2010, for Vitra.
ADDRESS
Stand C05, Hall 12
Salone del Mobile
Milan
-
The Park: step inside Jeremy King's mid-century dinerOne of several 2024 openings from restauranteur, Jeremy King, food critic Ben McCormack books in at The Park
-
Six brilliant bars for your 2025 celebrations, hot off the Wallpaper* travel deskWallpaper’s most-read bar reviews of the year can't be wrong: here’s inspiration for your festive and new year plans, from a swanky Las Vegas lounge to a minimalist London drinking den
-
Misfires and Monstrosities: three vehicular design disasters that show taste is in retreatFrom a multi-million dollar piece merchandise to a wretched Rolls-Royce, these are the low points of the year in transportation design
-
Faye Toogood brings new life to Matisse’s legacyMilan Design Week 2023: tapped by Maison Matisse, the London-based designer has taken inspiration from the French master’s forms to create a collection of heirloom-worthy objects
-
Prada Frames 2023: Milan programme announcedProgramme announced for Prada Frames 2023 at Milan Design Week, the annual symposium curated by Formafantasma at Luigi Caccia Dominioni's Teatro Filodrammatici from 17 to 19 April
-
Alessi Occasional Objects: Virgil Abloh’s take on cutleryBest Cross Pollination: Alessi's cutlery by the late designer Virgil Abloh, in collaboration with his London studio Alaska Alaska, is awarded at the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2023
-
Salone del Mobile 2023: highlights from Milan Design WeekIn pictures: our highlights from Milan Design Week, held during the 61st Salone del Mobile 2023 (18-23 April)
-
USM launches blushing pink limited edition of its modular furnitureFollowing an installation during Milan Design Week 2022, USM launches a new pink limited edition of its Haller range
-
‘You don't want space; you want to fill it’: Milan exhibitionMaking its debut during Milan Design Week 2022 at Marsèll Paradise, a new exhibition by Matylda Krzykowski, explores how we approach the space we live in (until 15 July 2022)
-
Men’s mental health takes centre stage at an art and design exhibition by Tableau‘Confessions’, which travels to Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design following its debut at Milan Design Week 2022, features commissioned work by 14 male artists, designers and architects, reflecting on toxic masculinity, vulnerability and mental health
-
Salone del Mobile 2022: highlights from Milan Design WeekIn pictures: our highlights from Milan Design Week 2022, held during the 60th edition of Salone del Mobile (7 – 12 June 2022)
