I’ve always maintained that style crosses the barriers between fashion and design, and the fundamental principles of silhouette, palette and aesthetic are interchangeable between the two platforms of expression. However, I was surprised to learn that Dutch fashion label G-Star RAW and Vitra (representing the designs of Jean Prouvé) collaborated to create a new, limited edition collection of office furniture.
Prouvé RAW represents the utilitarian, structured and technical design philosophies that both brands embody to create a minimalistic line of furnishings with carefully curated details. Pulling the overall inspiration from the mid-century original works of Jean Prouvé, Vitra then looked to G-Star for influential colours and details; paying homage to the industrial Prouvé aesthetic, various shades of industrial green take precedence, mixed with leathers, steel and solid wood. Overall, the feeling of the pieces captures Prouvé’s values of hard work, authenticity and sustainability.
When I inquired about the inception of the collaboration, Cliff Rullow of Vitra Home North America explained, "The owners of G-Star are big fans of Jean Prouvé's designs and architecture. Around 2010, G-Star needed new chairs for their office in Amsterdam and found the Prouvé Fauteil Direction chair in the Prouvé design archives. They contacted the Prouvé family to find out if they could have some of these chairs produced for their office; the Prouvé family directed them to Vitra, who were producing a few other pieces of Jean Prouvé's already. Then G-Star worked with Vitra to re-imagine a few Prouvé designs with their design palette.”
A love for a single chair then transformed into a full homage to Prouvé as the entire G-Star RAW headquarters offices, conference rooms and canteens were outfitted in the designs Prouvé created over 70 years ago for French corporations and universities. Taking the passion for the design a step further, the crossover collection was born with single and double workstations, conference tables and office chairs, amongst various other pieces; initially produced exclusively for G-Star, the Prouvé RAW Office Edition is now being made available to other companies, collectors and the public.
But here’s the catch: this is a very limited edition line of furniture and lighting, only being offered until the end of 2016. Each piece boasts an authenticated special edition label, adding to the exclusivity it has already garnered. This collection will launch with special one-month exhibit in Vancouver’s Railtown design district within Inform Contract [the trade division of Inform Interiors] at 405 Railway Street. The Prouvé RAW Office Collection exhibit will be open to the public commencing on Feb. 26, and can be viewed by appointment from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, through until March 31. To schedule a viewing of the line, contact Inform Contract at 604-255-2500.
