412 Cab Chair , 1977

412 Cab chair by Mario Bellini for Cassina.

Bellini’s Cab chair consists of a leather cover stretched over a minimal tubular steel frame inspired by how our skin fits over our skeleton. The only additional reinforcement is provided by a plastic plate that supports the seat.

Bellini’s innovation lay in using zips to fasten the leather cover to its frame; a zip runs up the inside of each leg, securing the cover in place. Previously, zips had only been used for upholstered furniture. Bellini’s decision to completely envelop the supporting structure lends the chair a unified appearance and enhances the quality of the natural leather.