Vladimir Kagan Sofas for DirectionalItem Status:
- Want more images or videos?Request additional images or videos from the seller
Vladimir Kagan Sofas for Directional

About
Details
- CreatorVladimir Kagan (Designer),Directional (Manufacturer)
- DimensionsHeight: 28 in. (71.12 cm)Width: 94 in. (238.76 cm)Length: 28 in. (71.12 cm)Seat Height: 18 in. (45.72 cm)
- StyleMid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques
- Place of Origin
- Period
- Date of Manufacturecirca Late 20th Century
- ConditionRefinished. Reupholstered. Excellent condition. Newly upholstered. A fabric swatch is available. Additional photos upon request.
- Seller LocationChicago, IL
- Reference Number1stDibs: LU1543222124732
Shipping & Returns
- ShippingRates vary by destination and complexity.Ships From: Chicago, IL
- Return Policy
This item cannot be returned.
About Vladimir Kagan (Designer)
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.

- By Thayer Coggin, Milo BaughmanLocated in Chicago, ILModern fully upholstered sofas by Thayer Coggin, circa mid-1980s. ONE AVAILABLE. Priced individually. Reupholste...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery
- By Esperia, Angelo BrottoLocated in Chicago, ILAngelo Brotto "Giraffa" monumental floor lamp for Esperia, circa 1970s. Stainless steel and aluminium constructi...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsAluminum, Stainless Steel, Chrome
$1,850 Sale Price69% Off - By Saporiti, Augusto BozziLocated in Chicago, ILPair of Augusto Bozzi "Cosmos" lounge chairs designed for Saporiti, Italy, circa 1950s. These Italian lounge cha...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Brass
- By Rosenthal, Natale SaponeLocated in Chicago, ILWhite porcelain abstract sculpture by Natale Sapone for Rosenthal, circa 1975. Abstract cloud-like form. Limited...Category
Vintage 1970s German Modern Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- By Maxalto, B&B Italia, Antonio CitterioLocated in Chicago, ILKalos lounge chair and ottoman designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia / Maxalto, designed in 1997. This cha...Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLinen, Upholstery, Oak
- Located in Chicago, ILA sculptural handmade American studio craft walnut rocking chair by Steven Foley, circa 1978. This rocking chair...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
You May Also Like
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Ultrasuede
1990s American Modern Sofas
Suede, Ultrasuede
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Ultrasuede
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Acrylic
20th Century American Modern Sofas
Fabric, Lucite
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Acrylic
1990s American Sofas
Ultrasuede
The 1stDibs Promise
Learn MoreExpertly Vetted Sellers
Confidence at Checkout
Price-Match Guarantee
Exceptional Support
Buyer Protection
Insured Global Delivery