Month: September 2021

Dezeen: Atang Tshikare, India Mahdavi and Nendo reinterpret Dior’s Medallion chai

The 17 designers who took part in the Dior Medallion exhibition created furniture pieces that span from true-to-form interpretations of the Medallion chair to wilder designs with intertwined legs and backrests that looked as if they had been blown back by a stiff wind. Among the designers showcasing their chairs was Atang Tshikare, who created Dinaledi, a chair decorated with beadwork that was handmade by a group of women from the Xhosa people in Cape Town, South Africa.

Designboom: 17 artists & designers reimagine the iconic Dior medallion chair

When fashion house Dior set up its first boutique on 30 avenue Montaigne in Paris, 1946, it was characterized by simple and modern interiors but with classical features. Founder Christian Dior believed essential french aesthetics resided in the palace of Versailles, and adored especially the oval-backed medallion chair said to have been used by Louis the 16th, featuring it frequently in boutiques and fashion shows. The chair became an icon of the Maison, later appearing as a visual element for perfume bottles and advertisements.