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 Directional
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
A serpentine / cloud sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan for Directional. Fully restored and upholstered in Latimer Alexander / Nevada / Cinnamon mohair. Matching pair available.
Mohair
Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
A serpentine / cloud sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan for Directional. Fully restored and upholstered in Latimer Alexander / Nevada / Cinnamon mohair. Matching pair available.
Mohair
Vladimir Kagan "Deco Chaise" Lounge
Located in Chicago, IL
Vladimir Kagan “Deco” Chaise, designed in 1973, newly upholstered in a two-tone creamy linear fabric that highlights the chaise’s bold architectural ...
Upholstery, Lucite
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
$12,700
H 39 in W 27.5 in D 58 in
Vladimir Kagan Erica Chaise Longue, Mohair Upholstery, Modern Design
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Astoria, NY
Vladimir Kagan Erica Chaise Longue, Model P6910-L, with black mohair upholstery on lucite base, "Vladimir Kagan / Couture" label to underside. 39" H x 27.5" W x 58" D; seat: 18" H. ...
Mohair, Upholstery, Lucite
$9,800
H 38 in W 60 in D 37 in
Vladimir Kagan Bilbao Swiveling Chaise Lounge in Luxurious Latte Bouclé
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Sculptural Vladimir Kagan Chaise Lounge perfect for lovers of all things Modern. High Art sensibility. The Chaise Lounge’s lower half rests on casters making it easy to reshape the view. Focus on your curated interior or swivel and change your perspective to admire that incredible outdoor view. This Bilbao Chaise was freshly professionally reupholstered in soft Latte color Bouclé. The fabric is blissful to the touch and ventilates well. Cozy in Winter and cool in Summer. Fresh perspective on a stallion of style. Ready to ship. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory. Photographed with and also currently available within our shop - Vladimir Kagan Caterpillar Chairs...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan Angle Tangent Chaise Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare find, the Tangent sofa with an open chaise feature by Vladimir Kagan Angle Tangent Sofa for Preview is an exquisite addition to any mid-century modern collection. This sofa bo...
Alpaca, Wood
Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Dallas, TX
A large and iconic serpentine sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan. This sofa was purchased from Kagan about a decade ago and upholstered in a heathered lig...
Fabric
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
$12,700
H 39 in W 27.5 in D 58 in
Vladimir Kagan Erica Mohair Upholstered Chaise Longue, Model P6910-L
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Astoria, NY
Vladimir Kagan Erica Chaise Longue, Model P6910-L, with black mohair upholstery on lucite base, "Vladimir Kagan / Couture" label to underside. 39" H x 27.5" W x 58" D; seat: 18" H....
Mohair, Upholstery, Lucite
Vladimir Kagan Swan Back Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vladimir Kagan Swan back Sofa faux leather and steel
Upholstery
Leon Rosen for Pace Swiveling Lounge Chairs
By Leon Rosen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Leon Rosen/ Pace Manufacturing Swivel Lounge Chairs Chrome Plated Bases Re-upholstered Large and comfortable A matching Ottoman is Available 20" x 20" x 18"h Seat height 18"
Chrome
Till Lesser Chaise Lounge
By Till Lesser
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Stunning Till Lesser stacked laminated chaise lounge. Signed and dated.
Wood
Jurgen Bey "Kokon Furniture" Chaise Longue -Droog
By Jurgen Bey
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Jurgen Bey "Kokon Furniture" Chaise Longue. Manufactured by Droog Furniture The Dry Tech Project consisted of wrapping desolate furniture with synthetic fibers, creating ...
Resin
Vladimir Kagan Desk
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A Vladimir Kagan Desk. Quilted maple, brass and Leather. Beautiful Pistachio color Leather. Label present.
Maple
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An oversized, comfortable lounge chair and ottoman. Manufactured by Dunbar.
Upholstery
