Eames Shell Chairs

Introduced in 1948 and eventually marketed as the first mass-produced plastic chair, the Eames Shell Chairs established an entirely new typology in seating. Today Vitra manufactures the seat shells of the Eames Plastic Chairs RE in recycled post-consumer plastic, while the Eames Fiberglass Chairs are produced in glass-fibre reinforced polyester resin.

With over 170,000 configurations, 23 shell colours and 36 upholstery options, there is a perfect chair for everyone and every home. Be it in fibreglass, recycled plastic or welded steel wire, the seat shells follow the contours of the human body to offer an increased level of comfort. Thanks to the multitude of possible combinations, the Eames Shell Chairs can be used in the widest range of settings – from dining rooms, living rooms and home offices to terraces and gardens.

Throughout its long production history, the Eames Plastic Chair has been continuously developed and adapted a number of times.

The recycling material stems from Germany's 'Yellow Bag' (Gelber Sack) collection of household waste, which primarily consists of used packaging. Utilising this recycled material instead of conventional plastic generates fewer climate-damaging emissions and significantly reduces energy consumption.

When designing the palette for the Fiberglass Chairs with their moulded shells, Charles & 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 & 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 be accepted by consumers, resulting in an understated palette for the shells.

Our 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.

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.