3 Iconic Chairs Everyone Knows

1. Gaetano Pesce’s iconic UP5 armchair, first unveiled in 1969, was conceived as both a design revolution and a symbolic reflection of its time. With its voluptuous, feminine form, the chair has been interpreted as a statement on women’s liberation and struggle, blending themes of bondage and emancipation. Technically ground-breaking, it was among the first polyurethane models, shipped vacuum-packed and inflating dramatically upon opening. Still produced today by B&B Italia, the series recently received the XXVII Compasso d’Oro Award in 2022, celebrated with a 500-piece limited edition featuring exclusive fabrics and finishes.

2. The Egg armchair, designed by Danish architect Arne Jacobsen in 1958 for the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, quickly transcended its original commission to become a global design icon. Praised for its comfort and sculptural form, the model entered mass production under Fritz Hansen, the exclusive manufacturer of authentic Eggs to this day. Considered one of the most counterfeited pieces of furniture in the world, the Egg remains a timeless masterpiece that has graced the screen in everything from a Beatles music video to Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and Sonnenfeld’s Men in Black 3. Its enduring presence in both cinema and interiors has earned it the title of the most cinematic chair of all time.

3. The Eames Lounge Chair, created by Charles and Ray Eames in 1956, redefined the traditional club chair with a lighter, more elegant, and exceptionally comfortable design. Crafted from molded plywood and leather upholstery, it quickly became a mid-century icon and is still produced under license by Vitra and Herman Miller. Loved by filmmakers and celebrities alike, the chair has appeared in Dr. House and is owned by figures such as Brad Pitt, Martin Scorsese, and Bill Gates. Beware of imitations—only licensed versions guarantee authentic quality.

*Images from public online sources.