Erwine and Estelle Laverne: Erwine (1909-2003) and Estelle (1915-1997) Laverne both trained as painters at the Art Student’s League under Hans Hofmann. In the 1930s they pooled their collective talent and focus into design, establishing Laverne Originals in 1938, an influential New York company driven by their precise and unique modern artistic style.
In 1957 Erwine and Estelle Laverne came out with their “Invisible Group” of curvy see-through plastic furniture designed to exist in a space as, Erwine believed, “an element of contrast to eliminate sameness.” The molded perspex seats and lean, fluted bases were reminiscent of Saarinen’s “Tulip” chair, and the names of some of these Laverne pieces, like “Daffodil,” “Lily” and “Jonquil,” resonated obviously with their inspiration.
