3 Karim Rashid Kite Chairs 2004 for Label

Modern Dutch design owes a great deal to Gerard van den Berg. While the Netherlands has a rich furniture-making tradition, it took a maverick like Van den Berg to bring it into a new era. He established two brands — Montis and Label — over the years, and his innovative armchairs, lounge chairs and sofas offer a reinterpretation of mid-century modern Dutch designs. His work has found wide appeal among international customers. 

Van den Berg was born in 1947 to a family of designers. His father owned a furniture company in Hellevoetsluis where Van den Berg worked as an apprentice and then designer until he and his brother, Ton, founded their own workshop, in 1974. That company, named Montis, produced mostly upholstered seating for homes and businesses.

At Montis, Van den Berg challenged traditional Dutch furniture forms and created slim and elegant furniture, often featuring angular metal legs and leather upholstery. In 1983, he pioneered the "jacket technique," consisting of a zipped leather cover around a metal frame. 

In 1989, Van den Berg launched his own design studio and began designing for companies like Wittmann, Molteni and Perobell. He left Montis in 1990 to cofound a new company, called Label, with Ton the following year.

Created by the likes of Karim Rashid, Harry Paul van Ierssel, Floris Hovers and others, Label furniture captures the essence of no-nonsense Dutch design. It is comfortable and relaxed, featuring simple forms that are pleasing to the eye. Today, Van den Berg's son Jasper and Ton's daughter, Marieke, manage Label. Van den Berg's other son, Ivo, is also a designer at the company.

Find Label furniture on 1stDibs.