Proust is the multicolored armchair that has become a symbol of post-modern design in the common imagination; it is impossible not to recognize that hard-hitting aesthetic.
A design icon of Alessando Mendini, the Proust armchair is a classic found in museums and homes. The colors, shape and materials all stand for uniqueness, a characteristic that makes it recognizable and always current.
The story of the Proust armchair is a contemporary design fairy tale, which began in 1976 when Mendini devoted himself to the idea of working on the “Proust fabric” inspired by impressionism, pointillism and the French poet’s literary and pictorial suggestions. This idea will never result in the production of a fabric but of the multicolored armchair that everyone knows.
The first Proust armchair was made in 1978, and in the following years about fifteen were made, all by hand and under Mendini’s supervision.
Over the years, the Milanese designer engaged in post-modern and contemporary design has designed several variations of the Proust, some made of totally different materials such as ceramic and bronze.
Currently and since 1994, the Proust Armchair has been part of the Cappellini catalog, produced in hand-carved and hand-painted wood and with a multicolored fabric upholstery that coordinates with the decor of the frame.
Cappellini’s is a reissue with a long story to tell, made up of twists and turns and excellent names like that of Alessandro Mendini.
