The Eames shell chairs in new colours

For many years, Charles and Ray Eames explored the idea of a single shell moulded to fit the contours of the human body. They finally achieved their goal with the 1948 Eames Shell Chair, a ground-breaking innovation that founded a new chair typology: the multi-functional shell chair. The chair quickly conquered homes, offices and public spaces alike, and the Eames design came to inspire generations. While the Eames Shell Chair´s variants and materials evolved over time, it´s design concept has stayed relevant for seven decades.

This year, Vitra introduces a new colour range for the Eames shell chairs – Eames Plastic Chairs, Eames Fiberglass Chairs and Wire Chairs. The colour palette offers a rich spectrum of hues highlighting the special properties of the different materials. The interplay of vibrant and more subtle colours offers new combinations and opportunities to configurate your own design icon.

Over 100 000 combinations

Vitra's design teams carefully researched archival holdings and the vintage market to determine the historical use of colours by Charles and Ray Eames, and merged this knowledge with a broad-based analysis of current needs and market offers. Based on these findings, the palettes of the seat shells for the Eames Plastic Chairs, the Fiberglass Chairs and Hopsak cover fabric were revised in close collaboration with the Eames Office. With new colours, a broad selection of seat shells and countless bases, there are now even more possibilities to create your perfect chair.

When designing the palette for the Fiberglass Chairs with their moulded shells, Charles and Ray Eames attached great importance to offering a range of neutral hues that would blend well with a wide variety of interior settings. They sought to develop integral colours that permeate the material and envelop the glass fibres. Charles and Ray Eames knew that this new design differed starkly from other chairs available at the time. Therefore the fibreglass colours had to be very carefully considered to achieve the acceptance of consumers, resulting in an understated palette for the shells.

The inventive base system allows the chair to be used in a variety of different environments, both in homes and offices. You can find a version to suit every need - simply by selecting the appropriate base and choosing an armchair or side chair shell – and every style thanks to the large array of colours designed by Ray Eames.

Discover all of the Eames Chairs at El Greco Gallery