East River Chair

Products designed by Hella Jongerius demonstrate a unique blend of industry and craft, high and low-tech, traditional and modern – characteristics which are also evident in the East River Chair: with its distinctive form and casual combination of such diverse materials as wood, metal, leather and fabric, this small armchair clearly bears the Dutch designer's signature. The colours of the East River Chair are carefully coordinated. Each colour combination gives the chair a very different look, ranging from muted and calm to cheerful and bright. The selected colours and materials have more than just an aesthetic purpose: the leather covers protect the armrests from dirt and wear and the thicker padding of the seat cushion extends into the backrest, offering comfortable lumbar support. In 2013, Hella Jongerius and Vitra collaborated on the design of a chair for the North Delegates Lounge at the UN headquarters in New York. This model served as a basis for the development of the East River Chair.