Orange SlicePress release dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Orange Slice

50 years of Orange SliceIn 1960, Pierre Paulin and Artifort wrote design history with the launch of the Orange Slice (F437). It was a great success from the very start and since then it has been a permanent feature of the Artifort collection. And that makes 50 years this year! 50 years of the Orange Slice also means that this design has been part of half a century of interior trends. In other words, it is an absolutely timeless design.

Of course, Artifort is not going to let this anniversary go unnoticed. We are bringing out a new anniversary edition of the Orange Slice, a special photo series, a set of cards and a set of two cappuccino cups. The anniversary will also be highlighted at Interieur Kortrijk 2010.

The anniversary edition of the Orange Slice has a pearl chrome frame and is available in two different fabrics (Väveriet Anime & Väveriet Woton). A special Orange Slice anniversary pin and a special set of cards will also be included.

50 years of Orange Slice in our collection also means that, for 50 years, Orange Slice has featured in interiors throughout the world. Interiors that have changed faster than ever during the last 50 years. Especially to mark this anniversary, the Orange Slice has been photographed in six different settings. Each of these settings is typical of one of the last five decades, with an extra photograph for 2010 and onwards. This photo series provides a fine picture of the exuberance and diversity of these decades and shows how well the Orange Slice withstood the years.

The special card set comprises six postcards, each of which shows the Orange Slice in a setting that is typical of one of the last five decades, providing an intriguing view of 50 years of interior design trends.

Contact informationFor more information, please contact Artifort’s Marketing Department. Tel. +31 (0)73 658 0020 or look on the Artifort website www.artifort.com

Orange SlicePress release dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Orange Slice

Anniversary pin

F 437 Woton

F 437 Anime

Anniversary label

Orange Slice - Anniversary EditionTo mark the 50th anniversary of the Orange Slice, Artifort is introducing an anniversary edition. This Orange Slice has a chic pearl chrome frame (exclusive to the anniversary edition).

You can choose from two different fabrics from the collection of the Swedish fabric manufacturer Väveriet. Both fabrics have a black base. Woton has a graphical pattern of white links while Anime has a white floral motif. The anniversary Orange Slice bears a special anniversary label and also comes with an anniversary pin, comprehensive information and the special cards series. The anniversary label is a small metal plate affixed to the underside of the seating shell. This bears the name of the designer, the year in which the Orange Slice was designed and the Artifort logo. And, of course, as this is the anniversary year, the plate also bears the anniversary logo. Artifort has also had an exclusive pin produced to mark this anniversary. This is an item for both aficionados and collectors, showing a three-dimensional Orange Slice – a nice detail for your lapel. The anniversary Orange Slice will be available from September 2011 to April 2011, after which this version will be withdrawn from the collection.

Orange SlicePress release dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Orange Slice

The anniversary photo shoot & card series50 years of Orange Slice also means that this design has been a feature of half a century of interior design trends. In other words, it’s an absolutely timeless design. The Orange Slice adapts to every age like a chameleon. However different and extreme the interiors sometimes look, the Orange Slice always seems to be at home. This is something that is further highlighted in the special card series.

The special card series provides an intriguing overview of 50 years of Orange Slice. There are six photo cards – one for every decade and an extra one for 2010 and onwards. For each decade, the Orange Slice was photographed in a setting typical of the period. The photography and styling is by Wendy van Santen and Bibi Funcke, who earlier shot a great series of Artifort’s Oyster.

Orange SlicePress release dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Orange Slice

Orange Slice - HistoryThe Orange Slice was launched at the Cologne furniture trade fair as the F437 in 1960. Pierre Paulin’s design was immediately a big success. Because demand for the F437 was so great, the Artifort salespeople did not have a showroom model available and they sold the fauteuils with the help of photographs. However, this certainly did not hinder its success.

The Orange Slice was to get its name at a later stage, thanks to its resemblance to the slices of an orange. So orange upholstery has always been a favourite and continues to be so to this day. Orange Slice has now been a permanent feature of the Artifort collection for a continuous period of 50 years – an almost unique performance. It has become an icon. Everyone has seen an Orange Slice at some time or has even sat in one, in a living room, hotel or waiting room. A group of Orange Slices is a delight for the eye. They look different from every angle – playful and light-hearted.

The design is still very important for Artifort and has not changed essentially in 50 years, although, of course, technological developments have meant that the production techniques have improved over the years. In the nineteen-eighties, a variant on the original Orange Slice was produced. Called the F437/B, this had a slightly tilted, more active sitting position and this too is still part of the collection. There is also an Orange Slice salon table. With its metal frame and round top, (Ø100cm), this is the ideal accompaniment to a group of Slices.

Orange SlicePress release dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Orange Slice

Orange Slice – TechnicalThe Orange Slice consists of two identical beech shells, foam and a metal frame. The shells are pressed into their characteristic shape at high pressure and then covered with foam. They are then upholstered in the chosen fabric. The options for fabric type and colour are endless. The fabric is drawn tightly over the foam and then stapled on the rounded side. The result is very tight-fitting upholstery.

The frame is made of extremely high-quality metal, the tubes being machine welded to each other. The characteristic discs on which the fauteuil rests are copper welded to the frame by hand. Finally the frame is chromed or powder coated. The upholstered shells are then mounted onto the metal frame and the Orange Slice is ready for use.

Orange SlicePress release dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Orange Slice

Artifort - the brandArtifort originated as an upholstery company 120 years ago and, through craftsmanship and innovation, has now grown into a famous name in the furniture industry. In the last century, designers such as Kho Liang Ie, Pierre Paulin and Geoffrey Harcourt laid the foundations for the success of today. The timeless designs of those years are still part of today’s collection.

Pierre Paulin - the designerAt an international furniture show organised by Kho Liang le, Pierre Paulin (1927) made a considerable impression with a contemporary shell fauteuil. Shortly after the show, he became a freelance designer for Artifort. This marked

the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration. What makes his designs so distinctive is their striking sculptural shape, which earned Paulin many prizes worldwide. His work remains timeless and progressive even today. This is not form for form’s sake but applied design. With comfort as the constant starting-point.

Artifort still includes many of Paulin’s designs dating from the nineteen-sixties and seventies in its permanent collection. His work can be admired in museums throughout the world. Apart from furniture, he also designed interiors for the French presidents Pompidou and Mitterrand in the Elysée Palace in Paris.

Pierre Paulin died on 13 June 2009 in a hospital in Montpellier (France). The French president Sarkozy honoured him as “the man who made design an art”.

In November 2009, Paulin was posthumously awarded the distinction of “Royal Designer for Industry” (RDI).

More information For more information, please contact Artifort’s Marketing Department.Tel. +31 (0)73 658 0020 or look on the Artifort website www.artifort.com