Original or copy? How to recognise a genuine Panton Chair from Vitra
You’ve fallen in love – with an iconic curve made of plastic. The Panton Chair is an unrivalled design statement. But how do you know if you’re looking at an original from Vitra – or a charming but mediocre copy? Our design team provides 10 everyday tips to help you sit on the right chair.
Why we love Panton – and what we plan to do with him
We are Bruno Wickart’s interdisciplinary design team – a colourful mix of colour experts, room mood optimisers, light lovers, material nerds and architecture freaks. What unites us? A passion for good design that not only feels good, but is also genuine. Our motto: “Colour, surface, floodlight – when we work together, every room becomes a favourite stage.”
Design shouldn’t just be beautiful, it should invite you to stay. And that’s what a real Panton Chair does – if it’s the original. Here’s how to find out – without a magnifying glass or museum card.
10 charming tips on how to recognise a Vitra original
Look under the chair. Yes, really. The Vitra logo is embossed at the bottom – discreet, but there. Without a label? Without trust.
It feels like an apple. Smooth, but not slippery. Matt, but not dull. The material is a solid-coloured plastic called polypropylene – and Vitra has it down pat.
It is made from a single mould. No welded seams, no edges, no wobbly effect. A genuine Panton is like a fluid thought in 3D.
It’s stable. No tipping, no screeching, no “ouch”. Thanks to its perfect proportions, you’ll sit securely – whether you drop onto it elegantly or place it carefully.
No cheap weight. A real Panton weighs something. Light enough to move, but heavy enough to look solid. If it’s too light: fake alarm.
The curve makes the difference. The silhouette is iconic – soft, flowing, sculptural. Copies often look too angular or somehow… wrongly proportioned.
It doesn’t creak. No squeaking when you sit down, no cracking when you stand up. A real Panton is silent – but with attitude.
It’s not too cheap, but it’s worth the price. An original costs around CHF 300-400. If you see it for CHF 80 on the internet: save your style.
Design thinking with momentum – how we think spaces with curves
We follow real needs in the design process. With the Panton Chair, this means that we combine function, aesthetics and a feel-good factor. For example:
A couple were looking for chairs for their kitchen. Stylish, easy to clean, child-friendly. Our answer: six Panton Chairs in pastel grey. Advice here. Result: The children colour on them, the parents drink wine – everyone is happy.
Mini case study: solitaire in the hallway
A single Panton chair in flamingo pink as an eye-catcher in the entrance area – plus a round mirror and plant lamp. The result: a welcome with style and a statement. The matching lighting idea.
Conclusion: A genuine Panton Chair is a statement – and an experience
You’ve fallen in love – with an iconic curve made of plastic. The Panton Chair is an unrivalled design statement. But how do you know if you’re looking at an original from Vitra – or a charming but mediocre copy? Our design team provides 10 everyday tips to help you sit on the right chair.
We are Bruno Wickart’s interdisciplinary design team – a colourful mix of colour experts, room mood optimisers, light lovers, material nerds and architecture freaks. What unites us? A passion for good design that not only feels good, but is also genuine. Our motto: “Colour, surface, floodlight – when we work together, every room becomes a favourite stage.”
Design shouldn’t just be beautiful, it should invite you to stay. And that’s what a real Panton Chair does – if it’s the original. Here’s how to find out – without a magnifying glass or museum card.
We follow real needs in the design process. With the Panton Chair, this means that we combine function, aesthetics and a feel-good factor. For example:
A single Panton chair in flamingo pink as an eye-catcher in the entrance area – plus a round mirror and plant lamp. The result: a welcome with style and a statement. The matching lighting idea.
