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Eileen Gray was inspired by the Michelin Man
Designed in 1926 by Eileen Gray, the Bibendum lounge chair embodies her innovative approach and distinct vision. Born into an aristocratic Irish-Scottish family, Gray became renowned in Paris for her lacquer works and emerged as a prominent figure in Modernism. She founded a boutique named Jean Désert to discreetly navigate a male-dominated industry. Although modest commercially, the store became a platform for her iconic designs.
The Bibendum lounge chair directly references Michelin’s famous mascot, Bibendum, more commonly known as the Michelin Man. Originating in 1898, Bibendum was inspired when Michelin founders Édouard and André Michelin noticed that a stack of tires resembled a man. Initially portrayed as a jovial figure holding a glass filled with nails and broken glass, representing tire resilience, Bibendum underwent various transformations. Over time, he evolved from a rugged mascot into a refined and approachable character, mirroring societal changes and the brand's evolving image. Bibendum’s prominence extended beyond advertising; he inspired the name and concept of Michelin’s Bib Gourmand rating in its restaurant guides, symbolizing quality and value.
The Bibendum lounge chair, celebrated for its playful curves reminiscent of the Michelin Man’s form, can be seen in distinctive international settings such as Hotel de Tourrel in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the JOOP! Store in Düsseldorf, and Hotel Maistra 160 in St. Moritz. Its continued popularity underscores Gray’s significant impact on modern design. More than merely furniture, the Bibendum chair represents an enduring marriage of creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural history.
Lounge Chair. Frame tubular steel, powder-coated in black or chrome-plated. Beech frame with rubber webbing. Upholstery polyurethane with polyester fibre. Cover in fabric or leather. Plastic gliders in black.
Classic Leather by Classicon
LEATHER
BASE FRAME
Coming from an aristocratic Irish-Scottish family, Eileen Gray went to London and Paris to study architecture and design. She first made a name for herself as a leading designer of lacquered walls and decorative panels. With her theories on design and architecture, she left an indelible mark on our ideas about living; her work is considered the epitome of Modernism. Gray’s tubular steel furniture, revolutionary at the time of their creation, are considered classics today. Her Adjustable Table E1027 is one of the most famous and most-copied designs in the world. It was added to the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1978. Her Dragons Armchair was sold in 2009 for the unbelievable amount of €21,905,000 and, at the time, became the most expensive design object ever to be sold at auction.
The non-conformist’s lifetime achievement was honored in 2013 with a major solo exhibition at Centre Pompidou in Paris. The production of the movie “Price of Desire” and the documentary film “Gray Matters” (both 2014) continued the success of the exhibition. Gray’s most famous architectural design, the Maison en Bord de Mer E1027 on the Côte d’Azur, was reopened to the public in 2015.