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Ora-Ïto “NikeEames” Pays Homage to the Eames’ Lounge Chair

08.25.14 | By
Ora-Ïto “NikeEames” Pays Homage to the Eames’ Lounge Chair

With its unmistakable bent plywood shell and plush, yet supportive leather cushioning, the Eames Lounge Chair has become synonymous with the design language of midcentury modern furnishing. And even fifty-eight years since Ray and Charles Eames unveiled the Lounge 670 armchair for Herman Miller, the two-piece seat endures as an instantly recognizable icon in the pantheon of home furnishings.

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French designer Ora-Ïto‘s affinity for the Eames Lounge seems clearly evident with his conceptual 3D-render homage in the form of footwear, merging a black Gore-Tex membrane slipper-sock wrapped in panels of warm hued moulded wood panels hugging around the foot. The concept shoe clearly wears the designer’s love for the midcentury designers creation across its sole (and forefoot and heel), sharing a strong semblance to a cycling shoe.

Ora-Ïto designed the NikeEames with the hopes of inspiring the Beaverton, Oregon based company to turn the concept into a reality, possibly in partnership with the Eames Foundation. No word whether the possible product will come complete with furniture polish and wood repair kit.

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.