BEL AIR

The Bel Air chair is a tribute to the American West Coast and surf culture. The asymmetrical back takes its cue from shark fins, while the name “Bel Air” is a reference to a famous neighborhood near Beverly Hills.

Invented in 1982 by Peter Shire, Bel Air surprises us with its asymmetrical profile and vibrant color combinations. Made in wood, upholstery and colored fabrics, this exuberant armchair has been reproduced in many chromatic schemes, all inspired by the hues of California: from the blue of the ocean to the yellow of the lemons that grow in the tropical climate, to the iconic green of the palm trees of Palm Springs.

With its vivid presence, Bel Air was utilized as the image on the poster for the group’s first exhibition in an American museum: “Memphis in Memphis.” Today it is part of the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum of London.

Peter Shire was born in the Echo Park district of Los Angeles, where he lives and works. He studied ceramics at the Chouinard Institute in LA before opening his own studio in 1972. Inspired by the Bauhaus, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco, Shire's work aims to bridge the gap between art and industrial design. With his early work, he transformed the traditional teapot design into a sculptural construction of geometric shapes, edges, and pastel glazes. His work attracted the attention of Ettore Sottsass, who invited him to collaborate with Memphis, for which he designed two of the most iconic products: the Brazil table (1981) and the Bel Air armchair (1982). His varied and vibrant work is found in several museum collections, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the MAD Museum of Arts and Design in New York, and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.

W 115, D 110, H 125 cm; 120 Kg