Som's racy 1978 chair redefined halston's all-red office

In 1978, fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick commissioned Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) to create a bespoke chair for his all-red office in the Olympic Tower. The result, known as the SOM79, was a crimson tubular steel cantilever with a striking, racetrack inspired silhouette.

Designing halston's bold aesthetic

Halston, known for dressing icons like Jacqueline Kennedy and Bianca Jagger, wanted an environment that would anchor his space amidst the city's gray skyscrapers. The solution was an all-red palette, including a lacquered Parsons table designed by SOM's interior group.

When Halston asked for a chair to match, SOM presented him with the SOM79 in 1979. Its sleek, curved lines seemed to embody the fluid, athletic aesthetic Halston was famous for in his designs.

The chairs were placed strategically throughout the mirror-clad room, serving as seating for both working and exclusive fashion shows. This marked a subtle shift in design styles, with SOM's SOM79 chair introducing a softer, more organic form to the crisp, rectilinear architecture of the era.

Recently reissued by IKONSTUDIO, the SOM79 chair's re-emergence reflects the enduring power of Halston and SOM's collaborative vision. It stands as a testament to the enduring influence of design on culture and the enduring legacy of both visionary creators.