Cues old and new

Created by Italian architect Carlo Colombo under the guidance of Bugatti’s interior designer Etienne Salome, the new Cobra chair re-interprets the stylistic influences of the original seat-come-sculpture, with modern materials and brand cues that became established in later years. The 1902 Cobra became famous for its organic single-element design that incorporated a gap to allow coat-tails to hang freely; the 2016 model retains this signature cue, but adds the centreline actuation that became a hallmark of the Bugatti automobiles produced since, along with swathes of Cognac leather and a carbonfibre body structure painted in Blue Royale. It appears that the ergonomic comfort has been addressed in the 114 years between them, too.

Photos: Bugatti