Back In The Ring: The Boxer

It's very 70s, no? I almost feel like I'm in some waiting room in an airlines office somewhere in a third world country.

I'd never heard of Kwok Hoi Chan nor his Boxer Chair before I saw it in an ad in a magazine just today. Originally made in 1971 it's being reissued in 2011 by Steiner Paris.

If anything is old enough that it's look can come back in style, then it suddenly gets hailed as a "Classic". This chair was never as iconic the first time around in 1971 I don't think, but perhaps it's that obscurity coupled with its hallmarks of early 70s design that make it noteworthy now. There's something ugly-good about it, with its bucket seat made pseudo-traditional by tufted upholstery, grafted on to a cantilevered tube structure reminiscent of the much more recognizable Mies Van Der Rohe chairs. It has that look of thrift-store furniture that you would have looked upon with scorn a decade ago, but with it's somewhat clumsy 70s proportions, just looks like it will sell for high prices on 1st Dibs now. So yeah, it's being put back into circulation to fight for your design dollars.


I might sound like I'm insulting it but I'm really not. Once upon a time, Mid-Century Modern 50s Moderne was too recent for people to latch on to, but now it's so standard issue for contemporary homes that perhaps it's time to look for more obscure styles and period pieces... and you may just have found your new lounge chair. It should look fabulous in black leather. Visit Steiner Paris for more information (if you can read French, that is).