Design DNA How Arne Jacobsen’s curvaceous ‘Series 7’ chair has retained iconic status since its conception in 1955

The story behind the 1955 design that would become one of the most imitated chairs in the world, hailed for its flawless combination of style and function

Danish architect Arne Jacobsen’s ‘Series 7’ is one of the most iconic and enduring chairs ever designed. More than 65 years after its creation, it remains the best-selling chair in manufacturer Fritz Hansen’s catalogue. Aside from those famous curves, much of its appeal lies in its chameleonlike quality. Over the years, it has morphed from its original plywood form, which was intended for sophisticated dining, into an armchair, an office chair on wheels and a children’s seat. It has also undergone numerous re-editions in velvet, leather and various colours that all subtly alter its mood. It’s the ultimate go-anywhere design – eminently practical, with its lightweight, stackable frame, yet instantly signalling glamour, with its sinuous lines and slender legs.

Jacobsen designed the ‘Series 7’ in 1955, when he was 53, and the chair would go on to feature in one of his greatest achievements, the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen (now the Radisson Collection Royal Copenhagen), which opened in 1960. Jacobsen designed everything for the 22-storey building, from its façade to the door handles and cutlery in the restaurant, where ‘Series 7’ still seats diners today. Although the chair wasn’t created specifically for the hotel – unlike the equally famous ‘Swan’ and ‘Egg’ – it suits the dining space perfectly.

Simplicity is at the heart of the chair’s success. Its streamlined plywood shell, which made minimal use of timber at a time when materials were scarce, epitomises post-war economy; the cross-shaped metal base lends strength and flexibility, as well as a visual lightness that transcends time. It’s why this impeccable chair is still at home in every setting, whether it’s a stylish apartment in ELLE Decoration, a cool conference room or the latest design destination.