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GamFratesi and Bouroullec brothers design first collection for Koyori
Musubi Armchair by Bouroullec brothers, Edaha Chair and Miau Armchair by GamFratesi
Image: Hiroshi Iwasaki
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GamFratesi and Bouroullec brothers design first collection for Koyori

Koyori will showcase five chairs designed by the two studios during the Milan Design Week in June 2022.

by Almas Sadique
Published on : Apr 02, 2022

Japanese design brand Koyori, will soon debut at the Triennale Milano museum during the Milan Design Week in June 2022. With the motto to keep alive the traditional practices and design values of Japan, the brand has been built together with the leading furniture and interior decor manufacturers of the country. As part of their first collection, five chairs designed collectively by Ronan Bouroullec and Erwan Bouroullec and Dutch-Italian studio GamFratesi, will be unveiled soon. "We wanted the project to be a collective intelligence, working together with manufacturers to make the most of their skills. We tried to translate the essence of working with masters of wood into the design,” says Ronan Bouroullec about this special collaboration.

The Koyori brand is born with the intention of crafting quality furniture products and interior accessories that, on the one hand, are reminiscent of Japanese design aesthetics and creativity, and on the other, are internationally accessible. “Koyori represents a story about Japan. Our products are chapters and each chapter tells a part of that story,” share the designers of the Copenhagen based design studio, GamFratesi in a statement. In addition to producing durable products, the brands also aim to deliver objects that are crafted using sustainable materials and processes.

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Shaku Chair by Bouroullec brothers Image: Courtesy of Koyori

Under the tutelage of British product and furniture designer, Jasper Morrison, the brand identity of Koyori took shape. The word ‘Koyori’ stands for ‘twisted paper cords’, which is one of the primary materials used in Mizuhiki. It is a durable paper string that is traditionally used to wrap gifts, especially during festivals and other special occasions. In using this term as the name of the brand, the proprietors subscribe to the resilience of Japanese cultures, traditions and people and hope to approach their journey with the same rigour.

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Musubi Armchair by Bouroullec brothers Image: Courtesy of Koyori

The five chairs by GamFratesi and the Paris based Bouroullec brothers are produced using the outstanding manufacturing technology of Japan. They are defined by simple geometries and clean edges that allude to timelessness and can, hence, be cherished by several generations. Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec’s Kawara Armchair, Musubi Armchair and Shaku Chair and GamFratesi’s Miau Armchair and Edaha Chair are all timeless pieces sculpted out of wood.

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Kawara Chair by Bouroullec brothers Image: Courtesy of Koyori
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Kawara Chair by Bouroullec brothers Image: Hiroshi Iwasaki

The Kawara Armchair features straight lines and edges that make for a classy piece suitable for both formal and semi-formal spaces. The mild curves added on the armrests and legs further enhance the appearance of the chair by adding a latent softness that prevents the chair from appearing like a risky piece of furniture. "For the Kawara Armchair, we wanted to design a large, box-like dining chair that provides the comfort of sitting in a very soft shell. We imagined this charming chair around a dining or meeting table. It is available in different colours, upholstered in leather or textile," says Ronan Bouroullec.

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Musubi Armchair, designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Koyori Image: Hiroshi Iwasaki
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Shaku Chair, designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Koyori Image: Hiroshi Iwasaki

The Musubi Chair by the Bouroullec brothers appears like a sculptural piece of furniture. The several curves that make up the chair add to its softness. Thus, despite being sculpted out of a comparatively hard material like wood, it promises softness and comfort and beckons the user to get seated. Since the chair is made out of singular materials that are assembled to give form to a cohesive piece, it appears non-uniformly balanced. Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec’s Shaku Chair is a much simpler and laid back piece. Dressed in black, the chair subscribes to contemporary as well as archaic design sensibilities. Hence, it is difficult to place it. “It could have existed centuries ago, but here it’s more refined and specific,” Ronan Bouroullec says. The high backrest and dimpled seating of the chair ensure comfort of the user.

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Miau Armchair by GamFratesi Image: Hiroshi Iwasaki
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Miau Armchair is characterised by delicate features and a broad seat Image: Hiroshi Iwasaki

GamFratesi’s chairs reference the Danish traditions of creativity and design. The Miau Armchair, with its delicate features and broad seating, not only serves as a comfortable seating spot but appears sophisticated, too. “With the Miau Armchair, we wanted to create a humanly warm and gentle design with a feline motif,” says GamFratesi. The minute details on the chair appear brittle and beckon users to come and touch the armrests in order to check their strength. However, the chair, made out of a single bentwood, is a durable structure.

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Edaha Chair by GamFratesi Image: Hiroshi Iwasaki
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The Edaha Chair references the branches and leaves of trees Image: Hiroshi Iwasaki

For their Edaha Chair, Stine Gam and Enrico Fratesi of GamFratesi derived inspiration from nature. Its criss-cross legs reference the branches of trees and the shape of the veneer covered seat mimics the shape of a leaf. Although combined in a manner that is usually not found verbatim in nature, it reminds users and viewers of the intricate patterns that are usually found in nature.

Apart from carrying the emblematic features that define the works of Bouroullec brothers and GamFratesi, these five chairs also attest to the motto of Koyori. They are simple, sleek, light, easy to carry and easy to use.

STIR at Salone del Mobile.Milano

We are excited to announce our very own STIR press booth at Salone del Mobile - Hall 5/7 S.14, Fiera Milano RHO. Click here to read all that's STIRring at Milan Design Week on the best of exhibits, moods, studios, events and conversations to look forward to.

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