How Sergio Rodrigues revolutionized Brazilian design

It was in 1957 that famous Brazilian fashion photographer Otto Stupakoff turned to his friend Sergio Rodrigues, then a 30-year-old architect, for a “mission.” He wanted a comfortable armchair on which he could relax after a long day’s work. That request ended up propelling Rodrigues to international fame, as it pushed him into creating one of the world’s most famous and unique pieces of furniture design: the Mole armchair (the word means “soft” in English).

Known outside of Brazil as the “Sheriff,” the piece was launched in August 1957 at Oca, Rodrigues’ store in Ipanema, one of the most affluent areas of Rio de Janeiro. At first, however, the Mole was not well appreciated. According to Rodrigues’ own accounts, the chair sparked the wrong kind of attention...