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The Designer Series 7 Collection Chairs fulfilled their fundraising legacy on March 19, 2007 at the dkVOGUE AIDS Benefit. The famous chairs, reunited by dkVOGUE for the first time since their world tour and international auction that raised over $100 thousand for the Danish AIDS Foundation, were the stars of the benefit. Each chair on display was designed by a global brand legend. Benefit attendees poured over the pieces from Bisazza, Italian tile company; Camper, Spanish shoe manufacturer; Georg Jensen, Danish jewelry firm; Hugo Boss, German fashion company; hummel, Danish sports apparel company; Paul Smith, English fashion firm; and Royal Copenhagen, Danish porcelain manufacturer.
The most popular chair of the evening was Paul Smith’s autographed version with classic British stamps fashioned in a Union Jack pattern. British fashion designer Paul Smith said of the benefit “I am delighted to once again help a very charitable cause.”
Over 275 people attended the benefit to view the collection and support the Community AIDS Network (CAN). Held at dkVOGUE’s State Street showroom in downtown Sarasota, FL, the event raised over $10 thousand, which the William G. and Mary Selby Foundation is matching for a total of $20,600. All proceeds will go directly to HIV positive patients. CAN CEO Susan Terry said she is thrilled that they finally have funding for renovations to their dental clinic. More importantly, dkVOGUE’s design celebration brought “new, young, professional faces that were supportive of the AIDS mission.”
dkVOGUE CEO Kim Thybro-Nielsen said he feels privileged that dkVOGUE was able to leverage the renowned Designer Series 7 Collection to raise community awareness and funding to combat HIV. “There is a prolific connection between the art and design community, which create inspiring pieces that decorate and celebrate life and the elimination of HIV, which threatens the quality and duration of life. I am honored that this connection brought so many people to the event.”
The benefit ended in a high-end raffle of dkVOGUE furnishings and accessories. Grand prize winner Anastasia Bowen took home the coveted Series 7 Chair interpreted by David Steiner, State of the Arts Gallery. The ‘Time for Hope, Hope for Time’ Series 7 Chair designed by David Steiner was inspired by the chair’s namesake -- time, because as Steiner says, “for those among us living with a disease, time is the ultimate commodity and for those trying to create a cure, time is their most precious resource.”
Joe Howey is familiar with the time struggles that HIV leaves in its wake. Having been HIV positive for 20 years, he said the endless support from loving, kind, compassionate people at CAN has maintained his health over the years and even inspired him to go back to school to become a Registered Nurse.
CAN Event Chair Renée Sheade summarized the celebration of design, innovation and generosity as “an honor for all of us.”
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.
About the Designer Series 7 Collection
On the chair’s 50th anniversary, Fritz Hansen parlayed the global design symbol for a 2005 auction benefiting the Danish AIDS Foundation. Fritz Hansen challenged Birger Christensen, Bisazza, Camper, Diesel, Georg Jensen, G-Star, Hugo Boss, hummel, Louis Vuitton, Mandarina Duck, Missoni, Kris Ruhs/10 Corso Como, Paul Smith and Royal Copenhagen to use their design prowess to reinterpret the classic Series 7. The Designer Series 7 Collection was touted on its exhibition tour to London, Milan, Copenhagen, New York and Tokyo before realizing its ultimate goal -- raising money for the Danish AIDS Foundation to combat HIV in Africa when auctioned at Bruun Rasmussen, one of Denmark's oldest auction houses.
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