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SARASOTA, Fla., March 14, 2007 -- To the delight of their legendary creators, the famous Designer Series 7 Chair Collection will reunite for the first time since their 2005 world tour and international auction at the dkVOGUE AIDS Benefit in Sarasota, FL on March 19 at the dkVOGUE State Street Showroom.
For the 50th anniversary of the Series 7 Chair, designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1955, its manufacturer Fritz Hansen parlayed the design symbol to coordinate a fundraising auction for the Danish AIDS Foundation that challenged world-class brands by asking them to use their design prowess to reinterpret the iconic Series 7 Chair.
Each of the global companies invited to imprint their unique twist on the chair was known for dominating their respective industry. 10 Corso Como, Milan's ultrachic shopping destination; Birger Christensen, Danish furrier; Bisazza, Italian tile company; Camper, Spanish shoe manufacturer; Diesel, Italian fashion company; Georg Jensen, Danish jewelry firm; G-Star, Dutch jeans company; Hugo Boss, German fashion company; hummel, Danish sports apparel company; Louis Vuitton, French fashion design house; Mandarina Duck, Italian handbag company; Missoni, Italian clothing company; Paul Smith, English fashion firm; and Royal Copenhagen, Danish porcelain manufacturer, responded with artistic renditions as diverse as their legendary brands.
At the dkVOGUE AIDS Benefit, seven of these remarkable chairs will be reunited and showcased to the public. The designers praised the fact that the chairs will once again combat HIV and celebrate design innovation.
The Designer Series 7 Collection Showcase includes:
Bisazza’s Series 7 interpretation with black and white glass mosaic tiles -- one of the Italian tile company’s most sparkling works. “When I think of the project and how many emotions were involved in reinterpreting this iconic item, the Series 7 chair by Arne Jacobsen, it brings to mind all the reassuring elements that belong to my personal and emotional repertory,” said Bisazza Design Department Director Carlo Dal Bianco.
Camper’s Series 7 which mimics the company’s creative, fun designs that sprung the shoe world to its feet. Hung from the ceiling, the interpretation conveys Camper’s characteristic humor, innovation and simplicity. Camper Marketing Director Dalia Saliamonas said they gravitated toward a swing because of its playful character and reminiscence to the rural world. “It is also a useful object, like all the objects characterized by good design.”
Georg Jensen’s Series 7 -- a twinkling slant on the classic Series 7. Georg Jensen has created timeless jewellery for over a century. The company leveraged this knowledge in making this divine piece. ”Georg Jensen’s version of the Series 7 Chair pays homage to the original by leaving the seat untouched, but adding gold legs and diamond fittings to acknowledge the chair -- and Arne Jacobsen’s -- success,” said Georg Jensen President & CEO Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard Hoejsgaard.
Hugo Boss’s Series 7 a true classic in pin-striped wool. Its simplicity and elegance is what one would expect from one of the oldest and most profitable fashion firms in the world. For over 80 years the Germany-based fashion house has specialized in coveted high-end clothing and accessories for men and women. The sleek chair is also the only Series 7 with a designer label from its creator.
hummel’s ultra-modern Series 7 fits the chic, sporty styling that has defined hummel as a global sports brand. A splash of multi-colored hummel logos on the chair’s back sharply contrast the chair’s demure front. The company’s owner Christian Stadil said they were honored “to pay tribute to one of -- if not the -- greatest Danish furniture designers of all time. Our designer, Henrik Busk, applied a distinct hummel look to one of the genuine Danish design classics of all time.”
Paul Smith’s multi-colored, autographed Series 7 evokes the same class and colorful British flair that has become the staple of his designs. Classic British stamps with the Queen’s head on them in bright yellow, pink and green are fashioned in a Union Jack pattern. Smith says of his inspiration, “I often use Union Jack's on my furniture because it's such an iconic image that is quintessentially English -- using British stamps in the design reinforced this.”
Royal Copenhagen’s Series 7 is an elegant interpretation. “By enlarging the Flora Danica pattern, the result is an haute couture chair that is recognizable, yet renewed and truly one of a kind,” said Royal Copenhagen Creative Director Niels Bastrup. The chair’s artist, Finn Næss-Schmidt, is one of the world’s most skilled porcelain painters and was with Royal Copenhagen for 45 years before retiring. Finn Næss-Schmidt spent hours experimenting with the specific flower image, the 24-karat gilded gold rim and various paints.
In addition to the Designer Series 7 Collection Showcase, the only Egg Sofa in the United States, and one of only five in the world, will be on display at the benefit. Fritz Hansen constructed the rare collector’s piece to commemorate what would have been its creator -- Arne Jacobsen’s 100th birthday on February 11, 2002.
Topping off the benefit festivities will be a high-end raffle with over $24,000 of raffle prizes. Tickets may be purchased at the event and attendees must be present to win. Raffle tickets are $50 apiece; one ticket gains you one chance to win the following prizes:
- 1 series 7 Chair with design by award-winning artist David Steiner from State of the Arts Gallery -- total valued at $7,500
- 1 Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen valued at $5,722
- 4 Series 7 Chairs by Arne Jacobsen and 1 Piet Hein table -- total valued at $3,511
- 1 Swan Chair by Arne Jacobsen valued at $3,223
- 2 Series 7 Barstools by Arne Jacobsen valued at $1,476
- 1 Little Friend Table by Kasper Salto valued at $1,044
- 1 Gallery Stool by Hans Sandgren Jakobsen valued at $525
- 1 Stelton Cylinda-Line Coffee Pot by Arne Jacobsen valued at $399
- 1 Stelton Cylinda-Line Salad Bowl with salad utensils by Arne Jacobsen valued at $378
- 1 Stelton Cylinda-Line Ice Bucket by Arne Jacobsen valued at $239
The dkVOGUE Community AIDS Benefit begins at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 19 at dkVOGUE’s downtown Sarasota, FL showroom at 1549 State Street. There is no cover charge to attend this event and all event proceeds go directly to Sarasota Community AIDS Network patients. Call Christy Ryle at (941) 955-2600 to RSVP for this unique evening.
About dkVOGUE
The premier source for Danish Modern furniture, we offer award-winning Danish furnishings, lighting and accessories. Our extensive collection includes only world-famous Danish-designed pieces by icons such as Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Poul Kjaerholm, Nanna Ditzel, Finn Juhl and Fritz Hansen. We have the largest Danish-only showroom in the US with a diverse selection of Danish furnishings guaranteed to retain their timeless beauty and comfort for generations. Visit www.dkVOGUE.com to learn more.
About the Sarasota Community Aids Network
Founded in 1991, the independent non-profit Community AIDS Network, Inc. provides a host of community services including HIV testing, educational presentations and a full range of physical and emotional care for those affected by HIV. Their mission is to provide a continuum of medical, social and educational services essential to the health and well being of those infected with HIV disease and to enhance public awareness and prevention of HIV. Visit www.cansrq.org to learn more.
About the Series 7 Chair
The Series 7 Chair debuted in 1955 at the H55 exhibition in Sweden and remains one of the most copied chairs of all time. Arne Jacobsen forever shaped Danish design when he accommodated three different bends in one piece of plywood. As one of Denmark's most gifted architects and designers, Arne Jacobsen's designs demonstrate the most successful interpretations of the international functionalism movement. His furnishing designs are found in fashionable homes, the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art and Copenhagen's Royal Hotel. Visit www.fritzhansen.com to learn more.
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