They have one daughter, Darya Zhukova, who is the romantic partner of oil oligarch and reputed political strongman Roman Abramovich.
Magazine owner Dasha Zhukova (who is white) was pictured sitting on the cushion.
Many in the industry saw her as an unlikely replacement for widely respected launch editor Katie Grand.
Images of the chair on the fashion website Buro 24/7 were met with accusations of racism, when they showed a white woman, Dasha Zhukova, sitting on the seat.