cover up

We found this picture of Marco Zanuso's 'Martingala' chair for Arflex so intriguing that we decided to find out a little bit more about it.  Designed in 1952/3 and exhibited at the X Triennale in Milan in 1954, it was the first example of 'dressing design' ..... or, in today's language, the first armchair with removable covers.  The very first!  On closer inspection, the decorative detailing to the back of the chair is simply a means of disguising the ruched fabric which has been gathered - using nothing more than drawstrings - to provide a tailored fit to the 'dress' or cover.  Ingenious!

Image:  Jacksons