Magazine C is the latest documentary magazine from B Media Company, the publishers of Magazine B and Magazine C.
The aim of this new magazine (produced in the same design format as its predecessors) is to focus on one iconic chair in every issue, introducing the design and lifestyle people build around it. Through a deep dive into the industry and chairs of all kinds – from those seen on the street to icons that have shaped public spaces – Magazine C aims to shine a light on designers, brands, manufacturers, collectors and chair enthusiasts, as well as to uncover how each design has changed contemporary life.
Magazine C is produced in collaboration with Grandeclip, a startup launched by Bongjin Kim, the founder of Korean food delivery platform Baemin.
Chairs covered so far (publisher's description):
No 1: The Standard Chair
The Standard Chair, based on Chair No. 4, was introduced in 1934 by French designer and architect Jean Prouvé. The self-taught architect and designer worked fastidiously for years to perfect the material and design of the iconic chair, and completed a standard edition that could be mass-produced in the 1950s. Exemplifying a timeless design, incredible durability, affordable price, and multifunctionality, the Standard Chair is the archetype model that has raised the bar for chair design.
No 2: The No 14 Chair
The No. 14 chair, which Michael Thonet introduced in 1859, is widely known as the 'coffeehouse chair'. In fact, since the 19th century, the chair has transcended time and borders, and is found wherever people gather, be it cafés, restaurants, or bars. Through the No. 14 chair, Thonet embodied technological innovation, efficiency, and accessibility as he pioneered new mass production manufacturing techniques to steam-bend wood, create easy-to-assemble products, and introduce flat-pack shipping for efficient international distribution. He also promoted his products in catalogs. Today, everyone can purchase and use a reasonably priced chair and expect consistent quality, and with its classic design and elegant beauty, the No.14 chair stands at the starting point of this phenomenon.
No 3: Louis Ghost Chair
The Louis Ghost chair, designed by Philippe Starck and produced by Italian furniture maker Kartell in 2002, is an exceptional, globally renowned chair that is elegant, sturdy, lightweight, and transparent. Drawing inspiration from the 18thcentury baroque style, it features a classic design and innovative use of single-mold transparent polycarbonate. And while this armchair may be transparent, its presence is clear and bold as a timeless, iconic piece of furniture. Rather than harnessing extravagant details, however, it offers a quiet beauty that complements any space. The Louis Ghost chair’s versatile, high-quality plastic design has earned it lasting fame and continues to be a worldwide favorite.
No 4: Fauteuil Grand Confort
The Fauteuil Grand Confort - designed in 1928 by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand - is not just remarkable because it is comfortable. It became an icon of modernity, combining Le Corbusier’s new vision that a chair was “a machine for sitting in” with a frame made of steel, a cutting-edge material at the time. The form borrows the regulating perpendicular and parallel lines, modular concept, and signature pilot structure from Le Corbusier’s architecture, which brings to mind his famous words that chairs are architecture.
No 5: K Chair
Introduced in 1962, the K Chair is an iconic piece that established Karimoku Furniture’s standard of quality and philosophy — built with craftsmanship, sincerity, and technical precision. In 2002, designer Kenmei Nagaoka rebranded it under Karimoku 60, bringing the chair renewed recognition. Its modular structure, which allows easy disassembly and repair, and its timeless appeal that endures over the years, invite us to rediscover the beauty and value of the ordinary objects that fill our daily lives.
No 6: Stool 60
Stool 60, designed in 1933 by architect Alvar Aalto, is the archetype that you probably imagine when hearing the word “stool,” and it is a representative piece of Finnish furniture. Using solid Finnish birch to enhance durability, Aalto created the signature L-shaped legs with a bentwood technique, which also streamlined the stool’s production process. Its potential for a wide range of applications and mass production makes the Stool 60 the most “human” chair to come from the mind of this architect committed to making human-centered designs.
No 7: PKK Chair
The PK22, introduced in 1956 by Danish designer Poul Kjærholm, is defined by its clarity and restraint. Each material and structural element, from the steel frame to the leather and the screws, serves a functional purpose that directly shapes the chair’s form. As a work that exemplifies Kjærholm’s philosophy of extending the precision of traditional Danish craftsmanship into a modern design language, the PK22 blends seamlessly into any setting while maintaining a subtle, distinct presence.
No 8: Togo
Togo was designed in 1973 by Michel Ducaroy and broke with the conventions of the traditional sofa. Its pleated surface, low profile that rests directly on the floor, and all-foam construction introduced a new understanding of comfort and marked a departure from the dominant sofa typologies of its time. Emerging in the socially and culturally transformative climate of the 1960s and 1970s, Togo embodied the spirit of an era defined by a desire for change, and its relevance endures. Rediscovered on social media during the pandemic and embraced by a new generation, it has evolved beyond furniture into a cultural icon that embodies freedom and creative energy.
