Vintage "Orchidée" Lounge Chairs by Michel Cadestin for Airborne France 1968

Vintage "Orchidée" Lounge Chairs by Michel Cadestin for Airborne, France 1968

​Designed in 1968 by Michel Cadestin and produced by Airborne International in France, the Orchidée lounge chair is a celebrated masterpiece of space-age French modernism. Designed originally for prestigious projects including the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, it features a sweeping, molded fiberglass outer shell with deep, plush button-tufted cushioning.

​Offered as a custom restoration listing, we hold four unrestored fiberglass shells and one matching ottoman ready to be upholstered in your choice of premium leather, plush velour, or designer fabric.

​Custom Order & Workshop Notice

• ​In-Stock Raw Shells: These chairs sit directly on their molded fiberglass bases (no wheels/castors) and are stored in our workshop as stripped, empty fiberglass shells. Showroom testing prior to restoration is unavailable.
• ​Master Craftsmanship: Our upholstery team rebuilds each chair using commercial-grade high-density foam, precision Dacron layering, and hand-tufted buttoning to replicate the original factory specifications shown in the listing pictures.
• ​Shell Refinishing & Color Options: As part of the restoration, the exposed fiberglass rear shells are professionally spray-painted in a smooth finish matching the original factory off-white/cream. Custom shell colors are also available upon request to complement your interior palette.
• ​Full-Wrap Leather Option: In addition to exposed fiberglass backs, we offer an optional fully upholstered wrap where the entire outer fiberglass body is covered in leather, creating a seamless, fully padded silhouette.

​Specifications & Finished Condition Outcome

• ​Condition Outcome: 9.5/10 (Fully Restored). Outer fiberglass shells fully re-sprayed and polished; internal foam, webbing, and upholstery 100% brand new.
• ​Base Design: Solid molded fiberglass base (no wheels/castors).
• ​Chair Dimensions: 90cm (W) x 98cm (D) x 86cm (H).
• ​Ottoman Dimensions: 60cm (W) x 60cm (D) x 42cm (H).
• ​Seat Height: ~40cm.
• ​Approximate Weight: ~22 kg (Chair) / ~10 kg (Ottoman).
• ​Designer: Michel Cadestin (b. 1942).
• ​Manufacturer: Airborne International (France).
• ​Model: "Orchidée".
• ​Vintage Era: 1968 (Space Age / Mid-Century).
• ​Product Category: Accent Armchairs, Fiberglass Lounge Chair, Space-Age French Furniture.

​Upholstery Material Selection

​You have full creative control over the final look of your piece. Choose from top-grain leathers, rich velvets/velours, or textured woven fabrics. Physical swatches can be ordered directly from our preferred local suppliers:

• ​Warwick Fabrics: https://www.warwick.com.au/products/upholstery
• ​Kvadrat Fabrics: https://www.kvadrat.dk/en/textiles/upholstery
• ​Sustainable Living Fabrics: https://www.sustainablelivingfabrics.com.au/products
• ​Zepel Fabrics: https://www.zepelfabrics.com/fabrics/upholstery
• ​Leffler Leather: https://www.leffler.com.au
• ​Italia Cuoi: https://www.italiacuoio.com.au

​Purchase Options & Drop-Down Selection

​Please select your desired configuration from the drop-down menu at checkout:

• ​Option 1: Single Lounge Chair (Fully Restored)
  • ​Includes 1 x fiberglass lounge chair frame fully restored with brand-new foam, fresh off-white shell spray finish (or custom color), and hand-tufted upholstery.
• ​Option 2: Single Lounge Chair + Matching Ottoman Set (Fully Restored)
  • ​Includes 1 x fiberglass lounge chair + 1 x matching square fiberglass ottoman, fully restored and upholstered to match as a set.
• ​Option 3: Complete Set of 4 Chairs + Ottoman (Fully Restored)
  • ​Includes all 4 available fiberglass shells + the matching ottoman fully restored in your chosen material suite.

​(Note: Listed purchase price covers complete workshop restoration labor, frame prep, new high-density foam inserts, hand-tufting, and respraying the fiberglass shell in a standard off-white/cream finish. Raw fabric/leather material costs are quoted and invoiced separately based on your selection. Full leather wrap-around options or custom non-standard fiberglass paint colors are available at an additional cost—please inquire within).

​Note: This item is listed elsewhere and may be withdrawn without notice. Delivery and GST/taxes are calculated at checkout.