The pioneers of modern furniture design in America in the mid-20th century all had their moments of flamboyance: Charles and Ray Eames produced the startling, biomorphic La Chaise; George Nelson’s firm created the Marshmallow sofa; Edward Wormley had his decadent Listen to Me chaise. But no designer of the day steadily offered works with more verve and dynamism than Vladimir Kagan. While others, it seems, designed with suburban households in mind, Kagan aimed to suit the tastes of young, sophisticated city-dwellers. With signature designs that feature sleekly curved frames and others that have dramatic out-thrust legs, Kagan made furniture sexy.
Kagan’s father was a Russian master cabinetmaker who took his family first to Germany (where Vladimir was born) and then to New York in 1938. After studying architecture at Columbia University, Kagan opened a design firm at age 22 and immediately made a splash with his long, low and sinuous Serpentine sofa. Furniture lines such as the Tri-symmetric group of glass-topped, three-legged tables and the vivacious Contours chairs soon followed.
Kagan’s choices of form and materials evolved through subsequent decades, embracing lucite, aluminum and burl-wood veneers. By the late 1960s, Kagan was designing austere, asymmetrical cabinets and his Omnibus group of modular sofas and chairs. For all his aesthetic élan, Kagan said that throughout his career, his touchstone was comfort. “A lot of modern furniture was not comfortable. And so comfort is: form follows function. The function was to make it comfortable,” he once commented. “I created what I called vessels for the human body.”
A diverse group of bodies have made themselves at home with Kagan designs. Among the famous names who commissioned and collected his designs are Marilyn Monroe, Gary Cooper, Andy Warhol, David Lynch, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, and firms such as Gucci and Giorgio Armani. His work is in numerous museum collections, including those of the Victoria & Albert and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Because of its idiosyncrasy, Kagan’s work did not lend itself to mass-production. Kagan never signed on with any of the major furniture-making corporations, and examples of his designs are relatively rare. As you will see from the offerings on 1stDibs, even decades after their conception, Kagan pieces still command the eye, with their freshness, energy, sensuality and wit.
Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Roche Bobois, France, 2003
By Roche Bobois, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Antwerp, BE
This "Comete" sofa, a futurist and asymmetric marvel designed by Vladimir Kagan for Roche Bobois in 2003, redefines modern elegance and luxurious comfort. It features two large secti...
Wool, Alpaca, Cotton
Sloane Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Preview, 1990
By Preview, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
Sloane sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Preview, 1990. Original upholstery
Velvet
Vladimir Kagan Attributed Sofa and Swivel Chair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a unique design attributed Vladmir Kagan that we believe he did for boutique hotels. The swivel chair butts up to the sofa and can fit two people. The swivel turns 360 degree...
Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan "Omnibus" Black Suede Upholstered Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Astoria, NY
Vladimir Kagan "Omnibus" Black Suede Upholstered Sofa, with lucite base. 28" H x 120" W x 32" D; seat: 17" H. Provenance: From a SoHo, New York Collection.
Suede, Upholstery, Lucite
Vladimir Kagan 11.5 Ft Iconic Serpentine Sofa Manufactured by Directional
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extraordinary 11½-foot Serpentine sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan and manufactured by Directional, representing one of the most iconic and recognizable designs in American Mid-Cen...
Fabric, Lucite, Wood
Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Cloud Sofa in Plush Mohair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofa by Directional. Newly upholstered in a beautiful plush lustrous mohair fabric. Light blue gray.
Lucite, Mohair
Vladimir Kagan Unicorn sofa for Kagan Designs, 1967. Very Rare. One Owner.
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Kansas City, MO
This original Vladimir Kagan Curved Unicorn sofa has had only one owner and was purchased directly from Vladimir Kagan Designs, Inc. in 1967. The design ...
Aluminum, Wrought Iron
20th Century American Directional Sofa - Vintage Curved Settee by Vladimir Kagan
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A half-round, vintage Mid-Century Modern American three seater sofa or settee with four pillows, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Directional in good condition. The seat back rest of the divano is curved with a wide armrest, supported by two round wooden bases. Newly upholstered in a white cotton fabric. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1950 - 1970, United States. The sofa belong to the Broadway theatre...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Wood
Vladimir Kagan Wide Angle Tangent Sofa, Model 506
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
Vladimir Kagan Wide Angle Tangent Sofa, Model 506. We recommend new upholstery on this beautiful and comfortable sofa. The last photo shows one we reupholstered that was sent to Swit...
Upholstery, Wood
Matinee Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2000s. USA. Reupholstered in Maharam felt plaid fabric.
Fabric
Vladimir Kagan Fiftyish Sofa in Super Soft Ivory White Bouclé
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A love for his 1950s wingback design motivated Vladimir Kagan to circle back and produce a more contemporary version he later named the Fiftyish Sofa. Vladimir Kagan's tendency to ov...
Stainless Steel
Vladimir Kagan “Zoe” Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2000s for American Leather, signed - excellent vintage condition
Fabric
20th Century American Lucite Four Seater Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern American four seater Serpentine sofa with two pillows, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Directional in good condition. The seat backrest of the...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Lucite
Very Rare Moon sofa (serpentine) by Vladimir Kagan for Club House Italia
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Very Rare Vladimir Kagan Moon Sofa for Club House Italia Documented and Labelled Kagan New York Collection Sofa from 2001 Few sofas embody Vladimir Kagan’s unmistakable organic desi...
Fabric
$12,000 / set
Bilbao Sofa by Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan, Preview
Located in Danville, CA
Bilbao sofa by Vladimir Kagan. These sofas were some of Kagan's most Avant Garde creations and are quite dramatic. There is wear to the upholstery and it ...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Midcentury Bilboa Curved Sofa in Royal Blue, attributed to Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Staten Island, NY
Postmodern Vladimir Kagan Bilbao sofa by Preview. The sofa is covered with ultra suede and is very clean. Please check all the photos for the condition.
Ultrasuede
Vintage White American Four Seater Nautilus Sofa - Settee by Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern American four seater nautilus sofa with four pillows, designed by Vladimir Kagan in good condition. The high seat backrest of the settee, canapé curves s...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
Fiftyish Wingback Leather Sofa, Vladimir Kagan for American Leather
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2000s. We also have a matching chair available. Original leather with walnut legs. Extremely rare piece of design.
Leather
Vladimir Kagan Restored "Fiftyish" Sofa for American Leather, 2000s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Coronado, CA
"Fiftyish" sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by American leather in the 2000s. This contemporary design was influenced by Kagan's winged barrel chairs of the 1950s. This e...
Stainless Steel
Vladimir Kagan Mid-Century Modern Sofas with Lucite & Brass, 1980s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
These are very hard to find Vladimir Kagan sofas. Lucite legs with brass hardware. Upholstered in D V Kap Novato - Onyx. Back is 30"H and 36"H with pillows. Seat height is 18.75". ...
Brass
Omnibus Settee by Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A geometric, uncommon and finely proportioned demi-backed sofa from the Omnibus collection having a waterfall edge and covered in a plush grey velvet upholstery.
Upholstery
Postmodern Sofa "Comete" designed by Vladimir Kagan for Roche Bobois, France
By Vladimir Kagan, Roche Bobois
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a spectacular and rare modular sofa "Comete" designed by Vladimir Kagan for French Luxury Furniture manufacturer Roche Bobois. Kagan created this curved...
Ostrich Leather, Wood
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Organic Vladimir Kagan Bilbao Sofas, White Boucle
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Organic Vladimir Kagan Bilbao Sofas, White Boucle Pair of handsome mid-century modern organic form sofas by Vladimir Kag...
Bouclé, Wood
Fabulous Sculptural Modern Vladimir Kagan Leather Bilbao Sofa Mid-century
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Pemberton, NJ
A sculptural modern sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan and inspired by the curves and undulations of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao Spain. I do have a pair of these gorgeous sofa both ...
Wood, Leather
Fiftyish Wingback Leather Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather
By American Leather, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2000s. We also have another available with walnuts feet. Original leather with chrome legs. Extremely rare piece of design.
Leather
Vladimir Kagan High 'Barrel Back' Sofa
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
High back 'Barrel' sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss, c.1950s, USA. The sofa is newly upholstered in a warm silver ribbed mohair Holly Hunt fabric. The luxurious three seater...
Upholstery, Mohair
Hurricane Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Hurricane Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional c. 1990s. USA. Reupholstered in white boucle fabric.
Bouclé
Vladimir Kagan “Arc” Sofa for Directional, 1990s
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Vladimir Kagan “Arc” Sofa for Directional, 1990s, fully restored in a wool velvet. Very good condition
Velvet
Curvy Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa with Lucite Base
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Bensalem, PA
Original Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofa with original Directional tags please feel free to reach out with any questions
Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan Swan Back Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vladimir Kagan Swan back Sofa faux leather and steel
Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan Sofa, Ochre, United States
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Barcelona, ES
Vladimir Kagan Sofa model “Directional” Manufactured by Vladimir Kagan Designs, Inc. United States Upholstery, walnut Measurements 244 cm x 147 cm x 75 cm 96 in x 58 in x 29.5 in ...
Upholstery, Walnut