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Eileen Gray’s Bibendum chair, designed in 1926, reaches its centenary in 2026. A special edition in a gold leather textile marks the anniversary, while the chair’s rounded upholstery and tubular-steel frame continue to appear in contemporary interiors.
Eileen Gray’s Bibendum chair reaches its 100th anniversary in 2026, marked by a special edition in a gold leather textile. Designed in 1926, the chair pairs rounded, ring-like upholstery with a tubular-steel frame, a combination that has kept the distinctive piece in production and in contemporary interiors.
The chair’s padded, circular forms recall the Michelin Man, whose official name is Bibendum. Gray adopted both the visual reference and the name, giving the design a playful profile unlike a conventional club chair. The metal base, meanwhile, replaces traditional wooden legs with slender steel tubing, creating a contrast between soft upholstery and precise structure.
The 2026 anniversary edition adds a new finish rather than changing the chair’s basic design. Livingetc describes the material as a gold leather textile; the source does not specify its manufacturer, technical composition, price, production quantity or availability dates. Aram has produced the chair since securing a licence to Gray’s designs in 1973. It is the exclusive UK supplier, while ClassiCon holds a sublicense outside the UK, according to the report.
The Bibendum appeared in Gray’s projects during the 1920s and 1930s, including Juliette Mathieu-Lévy’s Paris apartment on Rue de Lota and Gray’s Villa E-1027 on the French Riviera. The chair’s sculptural shape set against the villa’s more linear architecture is one example of how Gray used furniture as part of a larger interior composition. A reconstruction of the villa is open to visitors, and a reconstruction of the chair can still be seen there, the report says.
Why the Bibendum Still Feels Modern
The centenary draws attention to a design that remains commercially and visually relevant well beyond its original period. The anniversary edition shows how makers can refresh a historic object through materials while retaining its recognizable form. For readers interested in furniture, it offers a concrete case of how a design’s identity can survive changes in fashion without being substantially redesigned.
Its appeal is not only visual. Interior designers cited by Livingetc describe the chair as both seating and a sculptural object, a dual role that can make it a focal point in a room. Iain Watson, founder and CEO of David Collins Studio, said he had lived with a pair of Bibendum chairs and admired their balance of sensuality and modernity. Agnes Rudzite, founder of Agnes Rudzite Interiors, said its generous shape feels playful yet elegant. Those assessments are professional opinions, not evidence that the chair suits every space or user.
The design also offers a window into Gray’s contribution to modern furniture and interiors. Her career and work were not widely celebrated by the mainstream during her early years, according to the source. The chair’s continued production and renewed anniversary attention help keep her work visible to buyers and design audiences.
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From Gray’s Studio to Current Production
The Bibendum’s name has a history of its own. Michelin’s mascot was first illustrated by cartoonist O’Galop in 1898, and the name comes from the Latin phrase “Nunc est bibendum,” which Michelin adopted as an advertising slogan. Gray’s chair borrowed the mascot’s rounded outline for a piece of furniture, an unusual and humorous reference in a period when generously padded forms ran against prevailing taste.
Gray had established a design gallery, Galerie Jean Désert, in Paris in 1922, and her work included lacquer pieces, furniture and architecture. Her Villa E-1027 was completed in 1929. The Bibendum appeared in her projects in the following decades, but early versions were produced in limited numbers and the chair later became scarce. The source says the design faded from view until the 1970s.
That changed when Zeev Aram secured a licence to Gray’s designs in 1973 and returned several pieces, including the Bibendum, to production. This modern licensing history helps explain why the chair is now sold through different arrangements in the UK and elsewhere. The anniversary edition builds on that continuing production rather than marking the first time the design has been reproduced.
““I lived with a pair of Bibendum chairs for many years and have always admired their balance of sensuality and modernity.””
— Iain Watson, CEO and founder of David Collins Studio
Edition Details Still Unspecified
The source identifies the anniversary version as a gold leather textile edition, but does not provide a price, production run, exact launch date, sales regions or information about whether it is limited. It also does not clarify the textile’s precise material makeup or whether the finish will continue after the centenary year.
The article describes the chair as widely regarded as a landmark of modern furniture design and reports that it continues to feature in contemporary projects. These are characterizations from the source and quoted designers; it provides no sales figures, market data or survey of current use. The degree to which the anniversary edition will affect demand or access to the chair is not established.
Availability and Sales Details Ahead
The next practical information for prospective buyers is likely to come from Aram and its retail or licensing partners: where the gold textile edition can be purchased, how much it costs and whether it will be made in limited quantities. Those details were not included in the source report. The chair itself remains in production through the existing licensing arrangements described by Livingetc, but the timing and distribution of this particular edition have not been confirmed in the material provided.
For design readers, the centenary also brings renewed attention to Gray’s original work and the chair’s use in historical interiors such as Villa E-1027. Whether the anniversary prompts further editions or exhibitions is unknown; no additional releases or events are specified.
Key Questions
Who designed the Bibendum chair?
Irish-born designer Eileen Gray designed the Bibendum chair in 1926. It is known for its rounded upholstered form and tubular-steel frame.
Why is it called the Bibendum chair?
The name refers to Bibendum, the Michelin Man. Gray drew on the mascot’s rounded appearance, and the name connects to Michelin’s slogan, “Nunc est bibendum,” drawn from Latin.
What is special about the 2026 edition?
The centenary edition is described as having a gold leather textile. The source does not state its price, production quantity or full material specifications.
Who makes the Bibendum chair today?
Aram has produced the chair since 1973, after securing a licence to Gray’s designs. Aram is the exclusive UK supplier, while ClassiCon holds a sublicense outside the UK, according to the source.
Where did Eileen Gray use the chair?
Gray used the Bibendum in projects including Juliette Mathieu-Lévy’s Paris apartment on Rue de Lota and Villa E-1027, which she completed in 1929. The source says a reconstruction of the chair can still be seen at the villa.
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