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100 Years of Verner Panton

11 February 2026

In 2026, we celebrate what would have been Verner Panton's 100th birthday, one of Denmark’s most daring and imaginative designers. Recognised as a true pioneer of 20th-century design, Panton challenged conventions, redefined materials, and infused interiors with vibrant colour and futuristic form. His iconic designs remain as fresh and inspiring today as during the height of the design revolution in the 1960s.


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Early Life and Career

Born in Gamtofte, Denmark, Verner Panton grew up in a modest household. His father was a farmer and innkeeper, and his mother was a housewife. From a young age, Panton showed a keen interest in art and design, often spending his time drawing and painting.
Panton studied architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where he trained under the renowned designer Arne Jacobsen. After graduating in 1951, Panton briefly worked in Jacobsen’s studio before founding his own studio in 1955. Through well-considered use of bold colours, unconventional forms, and experimentation with new materials, Panton soon set himself apart from popular designers of the time.

Iconic Designs


The Panton Chair

Verner Panton’s most recognised piece remains the Panton Chair. Created in the 1960s, it was a revolutionary design. Crafted from a single piece of moulded plastic, its striking and unusual form creates a fluid, S-shaped silhouette.

The chair was not only visually remarkable but also technologically ground-breaking. It demonstrated how new materials could transform everyday objects into sculptural statements. Today, it remains a staple in modern interiors and museum collections worldwide.


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The Flowerpot Collection

Another iconic design from Verner Panton is the Flowerpot Collection, a bright and bold series influenced by the optimism and experimentation of the 60s flower-power movement. Characterised by their playful, rounded forms and vibrant colours, the Flowerpot Collection remains a design favourite, blending retro charm with contemporary minimalism.


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The Pantop Collection

The Verpan Pantop Collection came from Verner Panton's desire to add colour to every interior, and aimed to convince customers to do the same. The collection is famous for its flared shade that creates a direct downward light and resembles a bell; it results in a distinctive silhouette that has become influential in the design world. This shade shape also assists in directing the hidden light source down onto the surface below, resulting in a functional and glare-free downlighting.


A Lasting Influence

Verner Panton passed away in 1998, but his legacy continues to shine. At a time when Scandinavian design was largely associated with natural woods and restrained palettes, Panton challenged the conventions, filling spaces with patterned textiles, organic shapes, and psychedelic hues. By proving that design can be both functional and joyful, Panton ensured his designs would possess a timeless quality that continues to inspire people around the world.

His motivation to 'provoke' has lead to Verner Panton putting Denmark on the world map for functional, modern and unique design. It is said that his designs are just as strikingly inventive now as they were 50 years ago. This is clear when looking at designs such as the Verpan Hive or the Verpan VP Globe, which have sleek and almost futuristic aesthetics.


Shop Verner Panton Designs

If you're a fan of Verner Panton or eager to find out more, check out our selection of Verner Panton lighting to discover more of his iconic designs.

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