Chair Database
Helena Rubinstein Suite
Designed by:
Medgyes L
Co-Designed by:
–
Designer:
Ladislas Medgyes
Co-Designer:
–
Country of Origin (Designer):
USA
Date of Design:
1939
Date of Manufacture:
1941
Decade:
1940s
Region:
Americas
Significance:
Commissioned for Helena Rubinstein’s New York City apartment Lucite
Manufacturer:
Rohm and Haas
Country of Origin (Manufacturer):
USA
Material:
Acylic glass
Process:
Pressure moulded
Monobloc:
No
Cantilever:
No
Renewable Carbon:
No
ERPR Score:
NA
ERPR Rating:
NA
Weight:
Note:
Often credited as the first plastic chairs these designs were created specifically for Helena Rubenstein’s New York penthouse apartment by Ladislas Medgyes who worked for the cosmetics mogul designing fit outs for her shops. The chairs sold by Grosfeld House (launched at the World Fair in 1939) and the Boudoir chair developed on the West Coast by Swedlow Plastics (and shown in a 1939 promotional film by DuPont) both appear to pre date this design. As the manufacturer of the Rubenstein chairs was the inventor of Plexiglas, it is almost certain these chairs are not made from Lucite as is also often reported.
Image Credit: