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.
Vladimir Kagan Juno Wingback Recliner in Soft Cocoa Brown Bouclé
By Room and Board, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Stately Post Modern Vladimir Kagan Wingback reclining chair made by American Leather professionally reupholstered in super soft and richly textured Cocoa bouclé. New cushioning and l...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan Baroness Throne Chair One of a Kind High Back Wing Chair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Exceptional and one of a kind dramatic winged back chair designed by Vladimir Kagan for Baroness Lambert. Shortly before Kagan's death, the Baroness had asked for the two chairs to b...
Muslin, Wood
Vladimir Kagan Juno Wingback Recliner Chairs in Soft Ivory White Bouclé
By Vladimir Kagan, Room and Board
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Stately Post Modern Pair of Vladimir Kagan Wingback reclining chairs made by American Leather professionally reupholstered in super soft Ivory ...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan Baroness Throne Chair One of a Kind High Back Wing Chair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Exceptional and one of a kind dramatic winged back chair designed by Vladimir Kagan for Baroness Lambert. Shortly before Kagan's death, the Baroness had asked for the two chairs to b...
Muslin, Wood
A Fiftyish Wingback Chair by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare Vladimir Kagan for American Leather ‘Fiftyish’ wingback chair based on his winged barrel-form designs from the 1950’s with Kagan-Dreyfuss. This perfect balance of midcentury m...
Aluminum
Vladimir Kagan for American Leather Curved 'Zoe' Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Embrace the epitome of iconic design with this stunning vintage Mid Century "Zoe" Sofa, an homage to the legendary Vladimir Kagan's signature aesthetics. Designed by Kagan for Americ...
Suede
$7,760
H 36 in W 32 in D 34 in
Multi-Position Reclining Chair in Red Offered by Vladimir Kagan Design Group
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Clifton, NJ
Modern multi-position reclining chair in red. The signature Kagan contour sling seat was first imagined alongside traditional midcentury materials like walnut wood. This update to th...
Leather
Vanessa Chairs by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1990s. USA. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Only known pair ever for resale. Reupholstered in Weitzner Cove Goldenrod fabric.
Fabric
$18,000 / set
H 30 in W 30 in D 33 in
Vladimir Kagan Barrel Lounge Chairs in Brown Velvet and Walnut Legs
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Westport, CT
Originally conceived in the late 1940s, this sculptural barrel chair embodies the sleek, aerodynamic sensibilities of mid-century design. This particular example, produced in the lat...
Velvet, Walnut
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
$5,057Sale Price|33% Off
H 37 in W 41 in D 41 in
Henredon for Ralph Lauren Thick Leather Wingback Writer's Club Chair, Signed
By Ralph Lauren, Henredon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeous 'Writers' wingback club chair by Henredon for Ralph Lauren has such incredible leather, very thick and quality natural hides were used in it's making. The original Writ...
Leather, Wood
Zoe Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather
By American Leather, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2000s. The Zoe sofa was one of Vladimir Kagan’s last designs. Made by American Leather /Room and Board. Upholstered in original micro suede. The biomorphic shape similar to Kagan’...
Fabric
Vladimir Kagan “Matinee” Sofa /Daybed for American Leather
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in Roanoke, VA
Beautiful "Matinee" sofa that doubles as daybed designed by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather. The sofa converts effortlessly into daybed by removing the bolster back and side bol...
Textile
Tufted Wingback Leather Club Chair
By Ralph Lauren, Restoration Hardware
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This incredible tufted leather club chair is comfortably worn, broken in and ready for its next life. The chair is structurally sound and VERY comfortable. There is no damage to be ...
Leather
$37,000
H 36 in W 27 in D 40 in
Vladimir Kagan, Lounge Chair, Walnut, White Bouclé, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc, c. 1950
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in High Point, NC
An early production adjustable lounge with retractable footrest. Designed by Vladimir Kagan for his own firm Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc, c. 1950. Branded. Features finely carved walnut, re...
Fabric, Bouclé, Walnut
Børge Mogensen Wingback Chair
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen wingback chair in original patinated nature leather upholstery. Legs in teak. Model 2204, made by Fredericia Furniture.
Leather, Teak
Antique Blue Leather Wingback Chair
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Generously proportioned antique wingchair with Mahogany frame and original blue leather upholstery. Serpentine top above a deep back, upholstered scroll arms with nail head detail th...
Metal
Danish Wingback Chair in Off White Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wingback chair, stained beech legs, fabric, Denmark, 1950s. This archetypical wingback chair of the 1950s is both extremely comfortable and pleasing to the eyes. This easy chair wi...
Fabric, Wood
Vladimir Kagan 'Ellipse' Lounge Chair in Beige Upholstery
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vladimir Kagan, 'Ellipse' lounge chair, alcantara, chrome-plated aluminum, United States, designed in 1976 and produced circa 1980 This 'Ellipse' lounge chair truly employs the desi...
Aluminum, Chrome
Wingback Armchair in Beige Floral Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Easy chair, beech, beige floral fabric, Europe, 1950s This strong, playful wingback chair is designed with a slightly tilted back in order to provide sitting comfort. The wooden arm...
Fabric, Wood
Vladimir Kagan Wingback Swivel Chair with Ottoman in Ivory Bouclé
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Vintage Vladimir Kagan wingback tilt and swivel lounge chair with matching ottoman, newly reupholstered in ivory bouclé fabric for Directional. Sculptural and classic Kagan design, t...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan Wingback Swivel Chair with Ottoman in Ivory Bouclé
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Vintage Vladimir Kagan wingback tilt and swivel lounge chair with matching ottoman, newly reupholstered in ivory bouclé fabric for Directional. Sculptural and classic Kagan design, t...
Bouclé
Sold
H 40 in W 32 in D 30 in
Mom & Pop Pair Vladimir Kagan Wingback Swivel Chairs & Ottomans in Ivory Bouclé
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
If you want to be the envy of your friends and fellow designers, here's how you do it. Our shop is very excited to offer a rare pair of Mom & Pop Vladimir Kagan swivel wingback chairs...
Bouclé
Vladimir Kagan Wingback Swivel Chair with Ottoman in Ivory Bouclé
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Vintage Vladimir Kagan wingback tilt and swivel lounge chair with matching ottoman, newly reupholstered in ivory bouclé fabric for Directional. Sculptural and classic Kagan design, t...
Bouclé
Pair of Vladimir Kagan Ondine Chairs
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in North York, ON
Pair of Vladimir Kagan Ondine wing chairs. Upholstered in a burnt orange velvet with sleek pedestal design. Price includes complimentary curb...
Velvet, Walnut
Vladimir Kagan, Rare Organic Wingback Lounge Chair, Walnut, Bouclé, America
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in High Point, NC
A rare wingback lounge chair, model no. 503. The soft organic forms are further enhanced by the high end bouclé fabric. Frame rests on a finely carved walnut base. Designed in the 19...
Bouclé, Walnut
Vladimir Kagan Executive Desk Chair
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
Kagan-Dreyfuss, New York, high back Executive desk chair. Tilts and swivels. Arm height ground up 26". Highest dimensions shown can b...
Leather, Walnut