Voyeur Voyeur and Paulin, Paulin, Paulin Reimagine the Tongue Chair

When Pierre Paulin conceived the floor-hugging Tongue Chair in 1967, he aimed to appeal to a younger generation. Observing their preference for living low and close to the ground, Paulin arrived at what would become his now-iconic design. Its form sprawls freely and invitingly—like a swab of a tongue, rendered in a wave-like silhouette that rests directly on the floor.

 

Nearly six decades after its debut, the chair is being reproduced by concept store Voyeur Voyeur and design studio Paulin, Paulin, Paulin. While retaining its original tubular metal frame, molded foam, and stretch textile construction, the new edition is upholstered in Toray’s Ultrasuede® fabric in U2828L Burgundy.

The material choice nods directly to Voyeur Voyeur’s identity. Throughout its East London multi-label luxury space, the same fabric lines the changing rooms, while staff members wear custom uniforms made from a similar textile.

Meanwhile, the release also reflects the origins of both studios. For Voyeur Voyeur founder Kat Qiu, the connection dates back to a chance encounter with the Tongue Chair, after appearing in the first Paulin, Paulin, Paulin campaign. Qiu modeled in the Industrial Icon series, photographed by Thibaut Grevet. Building on that earlier collaboration, a new photographic series now captures Qiu at rest along the chair’s curved form.

For the Paulin estate, the reissue signals a push toward broader accessibility, returning to the chair’s original intention of wider distribution—marking another step in extending the designer’s legacy.

To mark the occasion, the two brands hosted an event on March 19 to present the reissued piece. Within Voyeur Voyeur’s mirrored interior, visitors were invited to view the chair as both a functional object and a sculptural work of art.