Vladimir Kagan
Works
Overview
A visionary designer whose innovative, sculptural furniture defined modern American design
Vladimir Kagan (1927–2016) was a visionary designer whose innovative, sculptural furniture defined modern American design. Born in Worms, Germany, Kagan’s early exposure to European design principles, particularly Bauhaus, influenced his organic, fluid style, which redefined American modernism after his emigration to the U.S. in 1938. His works from the 1940s through the 1960s blend Bauhaus minimalism with postwar optimism, showcasing bold forms, streamlined lines, and playful curves that capture the essence of mid-century modernism. Today, his iconic designs are celebrated worldwide and collected by prestigious museums like the V&A in London and the Vitra Design Museum, continuing to influence contemporary design with their timeless elegance and adaptability.