An Intro From DaveI’d like to introduce you to Teri Rudin, one of the great designers behind the chairs that have helped transform the look of events today. She’s accepted our invitation to blog about her design process and some of her creations.
Dave Merrell
Head designdawg
THE CHAIR STYLISTI believe the genesis of every great room design begins with the chair. The chair alone, or in any of its wardrobe reincarnations, can catapult the utilitarian chair parked at the table into two, or three, or 400 divine design elements.
But before I go further, allow me boost your Chameleon IQ a little. Chameleon chairs were designed with the earth’s resources in mind. Our product is made of steel, an inherently recyclable resource. Steel does not break, like plastic or wood. It will endure the rigorous demands put on a rental chair for years of curtain calls. The transport system, a self-contained unit for 36 chairs, maximizes the number of chairs transported, thus conserving fuel.
These bones are important to the design process so that creating a flawless hugging shroud (something I never could wear myself) is easy. I set skyscraping standards for making unusual, dramatic, tactile and artistic fabric selections for our product line which includes high performance materials that don’t give out. A testimonial would be the copper micro-suede toppers that launched our business for the 2005 Academy Awards Governors Ball. A re-fashion refreshed them to the style expression of the season, and since it seems that we did it right; rekindling their appeal.
An example of the "hugging shroud" look I mention in the paragraph above. These chairs were used at the Valentino fund-raising event created by
AOO Events -- a stunning and very fashionable look. The Valentino people loved it!
I keep a stash of fabrics and ornamentation unique to the industry. You’ll find micro- suede, faux crocodile, embroidered leatherettes, sturdy stretch knits, metallic leatherettes, patent leathers, chic animal prints, or new to us linenette, our version of linen in parchment and mahogany. We are no stranger to velvet, and are considering some bold brocade for perhaps a vintage Victorian vibe. The visual excitement of the chair with its endless customizing capabilities also delivers on our pledge to provide multi-functional, durable and exciting chairs.
I should mention, however that in growing a green product line, I continue to have my frustrations – cotton, silks and linens stain horribly, shrink dramatically, and can’t keep their color. If someone out there has an answer, I’m listening.
I recently fashioned two new lengths of fitted covers to the collection which project a slightly different silhouette of the chair. This includes 3/4 length as well as our jacket or floor length topper styling. One new style called Greta embraces volume and movement, sort of an Austrian curtain made from laser cut metallic spandex. This creation rustles gently from the wind of a passerby. Our very lovely cowl collection with its deep sensuous billowy folds was a blueprint to a carefully crafted event at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.
One trend today is the giant double bows and dramatic oversized flower accoutrements which have regenerated many of our standard looks. In sync with the zipper details appearing on bags, shoes and fashion today, I think wide toothed zippers will resonate onto some of the suede toppers as a way to introduce a secondary color or pattern – perhaps to zip on something outrageous or something personalized.
No dainty fabrics for me! Whoops, with one exception – lace. This season lace has made a big bark so check out our new cushion treatment and our new addition to the very lovely and popular Chloe Chair, which was named in honor of Jerry, Barbara’s and Alisa’s beloved Golden Retriever.
For the girly chair, we now have the romantic, ethereal designs of Youngsong Martin, my friend and owner of
Wildflower Linen. Young brings us her interpretations of couture trends from the runways of New York, Paris, and Milan. This undeniably glam collection is my new favorite thing. I know Youngsong’s designs are sure to play a leading role in what comes next at the Chameleon Chair® Collection.
Some of our partners have requested some new glazed finishes for our Bella Fleur wedding chair. They wish to utilize the chair as an accessory to their more organic designs. Yes, metal flavor works well in many different installations. Be a part of our discerning focus group and weigh in on these really customized furniture finishes which include a woodsy antique, a linen beige, a pewter, and the patriarchs of the collection – a proposed weathered and rusted interpretation.
If you have not yet embraced the Chameleon Chair, I may have you debriefed by my friend, Rrivre from
Rrivreworks. A brilliant event designer and prop master whose creations in our showroom make our chairs weep, has been known to torture the non-believers into appreciating the aesthetics of our chairs. Welcome converts!
Please enjoy some of our family portraits, Bella, Fanny, “X” and some of your own event triumphs at our new web-site at www.chameleonchair.com. Get in touch and give me the scoop on what rocks your “chairography.”
It’s a Wrap! (We do those too.) Whether it’s the trend predictive services, my own mood swings, or the most wonderful of all, the collaboration of eventors, I understand that the pressure for innovation in our industry is acute. I see my place at The Chameleon Chair Collection as an ever-evolving process which I am still exploring and enjoying. Won’t you join me? I would love to hear your comments! E-mail me at
teri@chameleonchair.com.
Teri Rudin
Vice President - DevelopmentBefore joining Chameleon Chair and bringing her award-winning design talents to Chameleon, Teri owned her own planning business called Reigning Parties. Her company's distinctively stylized centerpieces and stage props caught the attention of Regal Rents. Soon, she was working at the rental company in charge of product development. There she created an upscale linen department and embellished their tabletops with bold new china patterns, glassware and flatware. She was instrumental in bringing about new choices to shape the growth of their chair and barstool inventory and gave the Chiavari Chair a refreshing faux finish. Today, Teri is bringing her designer’s eye to Chameleon, ensuring that every product in the Chameleon Chair Collection is one that adds a flourish to today’s most distinguished parties and events.
HAPPY B-DAY TO US!
I have to admit, I felt a little like Steve Jobs when I took the stage!
More great uses of apples.
