'Jill Tube' by Alfredo Häberli for Vitra; photo by Marc Eggimann ©Vitra

Following the number of high-profile collaborations with some of the most prominent contemporary designers, Swiss furniture-manufacturing heavyweight Vitra has unveiled ‘Jill’ during this year’s Milan Salone del Mobile.

'Jill Tube' by Alfredo Häberli for Vitra; photo by Marc Eggimann ©Vitra

Inspired by Charles Eames and his pioneering plywood-moulding techniques of 1940s, the chair was designed by Zürich-based designer Alfredo Häberli and it is the first collaborative project between Vitra and Buenos Aires-born Häberli.

'Jill Tube' by Alfredo Häberli for Vitra; photo by Marc Eggimann ©Vitra

The chair is available in a ‘Tube’ and ‘Wire’ versions, which vary depending on the tubular steel, wire, aluminium or wood bases applied. The design of the bases is ‘also partially derived from historic prototypes’ while the characteristic organically-shaped seat shell of the chair is created in a patented process during which ‘Jill’s veneers are curved until they meet in the middle of the seat creating a flexible shell featuring an open transition from the seat to the back, with the thickness of its veneer tapering towards the top of the chair.’

'Jill Tube' by Alfredo Häberli for Vitra; photo by Marc Eggimann ©Vitra

'Jill Tube' by Alfredo Häberli for Vitra; photo by Marc Eggimann ©Vitra

to the Vitra collections on Architonic

to Alfredo Häberli’s products on Architonic