Pierre Cardin, for Roche Bobois

PIERRE CARDIN (San Biagio di Callalta, Italy, 1922 – Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, 2020) for Roche Bobois.
Dining chair. France, 1970s.
Ivory-colored lacquered wood with a seat upholstered in light brown leather.
In good condition. Shows some scuffs and isolated areas where the lacquer has worn off, especially on the legs, as well as signs of wear on the seat.
Measurements: 89 x 45 x 48 cm. Seat height: 45 cm.

Pierre Cardin’s foray into furniture design during the 1970s brought the geometric and architectural language that had characterized his revolutionary fashion creations into the home. This chair, designed for Roche Bobois, exemplifies that pursuit of sculptural forms, where functionality is combined with a distinct aesthetic personality.

The piece stands out for its upward-sloping backrest, composed of two wooden elements that flare out toward the top and are joined by four small dark horizontal crossbars. The structure’s bold lines and ivory-toned lacquer finish are hallmarks of the seat’s warmth, creating a composition of great formal expressiveness, representative of 1970s European design.

Pierre Cardin was one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th century and a pioneer in incorporating futuristic aesthetics and geometry into haute couture. After working with Christian Dior, he founded his own fashion house in Paris in 1950, later expanding his work to include the design of furniture, objects, and interior spaces. His creations are part of collections such as those at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Museo del Traje in Madrid.