Wink Chair by Cassina, 1980 – a reinterpretation by Almost Free Services
An iconic vintage lounge chair from the 1980s, the Wink Chair is an original design by Toshiyuki Kita for Cassina. This authentic piece has been reimagined in a contemporary artistic interpretation by Almost Free Services, presented by the ÖldDesign gallery.
ALmost Free Services :
Born and raised in the south of France, Mathieu Courbier works under the name Almost Free Services. He explores a singular universe at the intersection of art and design, through exhibitions as well as commissioned works.
Most of his drawings take on a sculptural dimension, where objects, figures, and flowers are transformed into heavy, rock-like forms, detached from time. At times organic and vibrant, at others focused on everyday objects or fragments of life that become relics, his work navigates between presence and abstraction. His drawing practice unfolds with a deliberate sense of mystery and irony. AFS has collaborated with numerous brands worldwide.
The Wink Chair, an iconic piece of postmodern design:
Designed by Toshiyuki Kita in 1980, the Wink chair is a complex design rooted in the human body, guided by ergonomics and modularity. This lounge chair allows a seamless transition from an upright seated position to a reclined posture.
“With Wink, we sit close to the ground, and in keeping with Eastern traditions, when the body settles, the mind is free to rise.”
A contemporary interpretation by Almost Free Services
The Ölddesign gallery invited Almost Free Services to reinterpret this iconic piece from the postmodern era, transforming it into an even more expressive and living object. AFS introduces its signature touch through the addition of a character-like cushion and a rear pocket designed to hold books or personal items—perfect for spending extended time with the Wink.
A fully Cordura® cover allows the piece to be used both indoors and outdoors—ideal for a nap in the sun or for creative work. It becomes the ultimate seat for letting the mind wander.
An authentic vintage Cassina lounge chair
This model has already been featured several times in our gallery.
Cordura® technical fabric and indoor use
It is upholstered in a high-performance technical fabric selected by Almost Free Services: a bi-color black and olive-grey Cordura®, 317 g/m² (Made in Germany and used by the German military in certain equipment).
Cordura® is a registered trademark.
The multifunctional properties of this fabric are remarkable: water-repellent treatment, waterproof, windproof, and slightly breathable thanks to a high-quality PU coating. It is also flame-resistant.
Additionally, it features a tactical/military treatment designed to reduce its visual signature, making it less detectable by night vision devices, thermal cameras, or infrared systems.
Our upholsterer has sewn the original “Made in Italy” label from the manufacturer Cassina inside the cover.
The tubular steel frame features a forward-folding base with polyurethane foam and polyester wadding padding.
The backrest features a headrest composed of two adjustable “ear-like” elements (nicknamed “Mickey”), whose position can be fine-tuned via two lateral controls, similar to a car seat mechanism.
Experimental design and the legacy of Italian design
In this reinterpretation of the Wink chair, Almost Free Services draws inspiration from Italian designers and publishers of the 1970s(such as Archizoom, Superstudio, or Ettore Sottsass)pushing beyond pure function toward a playful and experimental approach through the creation of this character-like cushion.
Much like the iconic cactus by Guido Drocco & Franco Mello for Gufram, or the Joe Chair by Jonathan De Pas, Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, function recedes into the background and the seat becomes a narrative object.
Here, the original genius of Toshiyuki Kita invites us to further question the boundaries between the offbeat and the artistic.
A one-of-a-kind piece presented by the ÖldDesign gallery
Come discover the world of ALmost Free Services:
https://www.instagram.com/almost.free.services
https://www.almostfreeservices.com
Price on request
Price on request
Dimensions in cm:
Width 83
Height: 82 to 102 cm when seated
Depth: 90 to 200 mm, depending on the angle and mode: armchair or recliner.
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