Chair designs in the 1980s were part of a tug of war between postmodernist ideals and functionalist tendencies. A number of icons arose out of both camps, alongside several outliers such as Hans J. Wegner’s Circle Chair.Cassina 654 TorsoA curiously quirky design by Italian architect and designer Paolo Deganello, the 654 Torso is an asymmetric left or right armchair in one iteration and an armchair with a footrest and tabletop in another. Manufactured by Cassina, the 654 Torso was launched in 1982 and exhibits an air of Memphis Milano.654 Torso with footrest and tabletop by Paolo Deganello for Cassina. Image © Cassina.654 Torso chairs by Paolo Deganello. Image © 1stdibs, Inc. 2016.RELATED: 10 Iconic Chair Designs from the 1970sBel Air ChairDesigned by Californian designer and ceramist Peter Shire in 1982 and produced by Memphis Milano, the colourful Bel Air chair meshes Memphis with a West Coast style. Shire drew inspiration from many of California’s cultural symbols, including surfing, hot-rodding and the state’s modern architecture. The Bel Air chair’s asymmetrical back resembles a shark fin and the seat is a combination of painted wood with coloured cotton fabric.Bel Air chair. Image courtesy of Peter Shire.An early Bel Air with the original colours. Image via Tunica.Costes ChairPhilippe Starck designed the Costes Chair in 1984 for Italian “aesthetic lab” Driade. A cafe-style chair (it was originally designed for the forme...