By now, we’ve become accustomed to the reissues of classic furniture designs for interiors — so much so that it can sometimes be hard to keep track. But the same can’t be said for outdoor furniture, so when the relaunch of an iconic product for exterior use does come along, we sit up and take notice. Case in point: Spanish manufacturer Expormim’s Lapala collection of chairs, typified by their woven seats and backrests. Highly chameleonic and adaptable to almost any plein-air setting — from garden patio to urban balcony — the design has proven its longevity through a variety of only the subtlest updates over the years. 

The original design by Barcelona-based studio Lievore Altherr Molina first launched in 1998 and was intended for indoor use. However, in 2014, Lapala was relaunched by Expormim, its original wicker shell swapped for high-resistance nautical rope that could be used outdoors as well, handwoven by the brand’s expert craftspeople in Moixent, in the south of Spain. More recently, the shape has been updated for a more enjoyable sitting experience, and for the 25th anniversary of the chair this year, Expormim have returned to the chair’s roots, creating a new version in wicker, each one woven by hand in Expormim’s atelier for eight hours. Says Expormim: “We want to remain faithful to our roots, combining tradition and innovation in order to provide our clients exclusive furniture with the highest quality and minimum environmental impact, exquisitely manufactured, with the ability to blend into contemporary spaces without having to compromise its traditional character and authenticity.” ◆