Erwine & Estelle Laverne for Formes Nouvelles 'Champagne' Swivel Chair in Acrylic

Erwine & Estelle Laverne for Formes Nouvelles, 'Champagne' dining chair or office chair, acrylic, aluminum, corduroy fabric, Italy, design 1957

Designed in 1957, the ‘Champagne’ chair reflects Erwine and Estelle Laverne’s pioneering approach to furniture design and their exploration of innovative materials in the postwar period. Originally trained as artists, the American husband-and-wife duo developed a distinctive design language in which sculptural form, material experimentation, and spatial awareness were closely intertwined. The ‘Champagne’ chair draws a clear parallel with Eero Saarinen’s celebrated ‘Tulip’ chair of the mid-1950s. Like Saarinen, the Lavernes sought to eliminate the visual clutter of conventional chair legs through the introduction of a single pedestal support. However, where Saarinen employed an opaque fiberglass shell, the Lavernes embraced transparent acrylic, further reducing the visual presence of the chair and allowing it to blend almost imperceptibly into its surroundings.

The present pair, manufactured by Formes Nouvelles, features elegantly molded transparent acrylic shells, their gently curved backs flowing seamlessly into rounded armrests to create a continuous, enveloping form. Each shell rests upon a slender aluminium pedestal rising from a circular base, lending the design an almost weightless appearance. The chairs are fitted with a self-returning swivel mechanism, and a muted orange corduroy cushion provides comfort.


Kindly note that the fabric is in good, used condition. Your special requests regarding reupholstery and finishing can be realized by the experienced craftspeople in our own in-house restoration and upholstery atelier.