These are not just chairs but a true statement for fashion, design enthusiasts, and everything in between. COMME des GARÇONS is set to release a reissue of a collection of chairs designed by its founder, Rei Kawakubo, in the 1980s. Originally produced starting in 1983 for a limited period of ten years, these chairs are now making a comeback. But what makes them so special? Despite their essential geometric structure and a wire mesh seat reminiscent of a fence, these furniture pieces embody the minimalism that defines the aesthetic of COMME des GARÇONS.
These chairs also stand out for their formal purity, reducing the chair to its most basic essence, stripped of any decorative embellishment. Other chairs from the same 1980s collection, however, explore a more decorative language, featuring details like spiral tubular steel accents, chained backrests, and rounded corners. These elements demonstrate Kawakubo’s ability to move effortlessly between rigor and experimentation.
Back in 2017, a selection of 15 furniture models designed by Kawakubo was exhibited in Paris at A1043, before being showcased at the Maniera exhibition during Collectible Brussels in 2018. These exhibitions helped revive interest in COMME des GARÇONS’ furniture production — a lesser-known aspect of the brand’s universe compared to its fashion, but equally radical in spirit.
As in the past, the chairs will be available exclusively at the COMME des GARÇONS store in Paris. This offers a new opportunity for those who wish to own a tangible fragment of Rei Kawakubo’s bold and uncompromising vision. The color palette includes red, black, and silver versions, along with an option featuring a wooden seat — a touch of material warmth that contrasts with the coolness of metal.
