Djinn Lounge Chair by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne, 1960s

Djinn lounge chair designed by Olivier Mourgue for Airborne, original 1960s edition.

The foam padding has been entirely replaced before new covering in Kvadrat Planum fabric, restoring this French design icon to its full comfort and highlighting its organic lines.

• L 172 CM x D 56 CM x H 62 CM.
• Seat height 28 CM.
• Two examples available, unit price.

The Djinn lounge chair, a 1960s design icon

Designed by Olivier Mourgue in 1965 and produced by Airborne, the Djinn lounge chair is one of the boldest creations of French design from the 1960s. With its fluid lines, low seating position, and almost invisible tubular structure, it breaks with traditional furniture codes to offer a resolutely futuristic silhouette. More than sixty years after its creation, it remains one of the most iconic interpretations of a 1960s armchair.

Two Djinn chaises longues are available.

The Djinn series includes armchairs, lounge chairs, sofas, ottomans, and chaise longues, all designed according to the same principle: a discreet metal structure dressed in generous foam and a textile covering that perfectly follows the furniture’s curves. This design provides remarkable comfort while giving the impression that the seat floats above the floor, a sensation reinforced by the absence of visible feet.

Olivier Mourgue and the futuristic aesthetic of the 1960s

A graduate of École Boulle and then École nationale supérieure des Arts décoratifs, Olivier Mourgue participated in the renewal of French design by favoring organic forms, innovative materials, and an approach centered on comfort. His creations are part of the Space Age aesthetic, a movement that accompanied the enthusiasm generated by space exploration and the technological advances of the 1960s.

The Djinn lounge chair perfectly translates this vision. Devoid of sharp angles, it appears drawn in a single gesture. Its continuous lines naturally invite rest, while its low profile reinforces its organic and spatial character. It pairs with remarkable ease with all styles of coffee tables and brings to interiors the visionary aesthetic that characterizes 1960s and 70s design.

A creation made famous by 2001: A Space Odyssey

The international fame of the Djinn series was definitively established in 1968 when Stanley Kubrick chose several Djinn armchairs to furnish the space station in his film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Their visionary aesthetic perfectly matched the universe imagined by the director and helped establish Olivier Mourgue in the history of 20th-century design. Even today, this association remains one of the most famous between cinema and contemporary furniture.

The Djinn lounge chair is now part of the permanent collections of the Centre Pompidou, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, and the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, testifying to its importance in the history of 20th-century design.

Complete reupholstering in Kvadrat Planum fabric

Each of the two Djinn lounge chairs has undergone complete reupholstering before being carefully recovered in Kvadrat Planum fabric. An essential reference from Danish publisher Kvadrat, this high-end textile is distinguished by its supple touch, elegant texture, and excellent resistance to wear.

Applying Kvadrat fabric to the Djinn lounge chair and adjusting tension points.

Completing the upholstery after replacing the foam on the 1960s Airborne armchair

The choice of Kvadrat Planum fully respects the spirit imagined by Olivier Mourgue. Its fineness reveals the sensual curves of the Djinn without weighing them down, while its quality craftsmanship highlights the organic volumes that made this iconic model of 1960s design successful. This restoration work restores these vintage lounge chairs to their original comfort while ensuring excellent longevity.

A major piece of vintage furniture

Whether placed in a living room, library, or reading space, the Djinn lounge chair immediately catches the eye. Its timeless design, enveloping comfort, and importance in vintage design history make it a particularly sought-after piece by collectors. More than just a seat, it embodies the creative optimism of the 1960s and remains one of the most remarkable achievements of Olivier Mourgue, a key figure in French design furniture.