The Visionary Lab breathes new life into pre-used Vitra chairs with repurposed denim from Levi’s®. 

Icons Re/Outfitted is an artistic project initiated and curated by creative studio The Visionary Lab, and designed to merge design, fashion and storytelling, while bringing attention to the issue of textile-waste. The artfully re-outfitted chairs from Vitra – including chairs by luminaries like Charles & Ray Eames, Verner Panton, and George Nelson – explore a rich tapestry of innovative techniques, varying from digital 3D weaving and the development of new biotextiles, to the transformation of end-of-life Levi’s denim into luxurious felt. Additionally, some of these creations draw inspiration from traditional Japanese and African crafts, seamlessly blending age-old techniques with modern design concepts.

Each upcycled chair serves as a testament to our commitment to reducing waste and finding beauty in unexpected places. They make a bold statement, changing the conventional notions of waste and sparking a vital dialogue about our impact on the environment. 

THE PANTON CHAIR RE/OUTFITTED BY THE VISIONARY LAB IN COLLABORATION WITH STUDIO SARMĪTE

For the classic Panton Chair, an innovative (unwoven) biotextile has been developed using end-of-life Levi’s denim. This new material, robust yet lightweight, with a suede-like appearance, is meticulously shaped not only around the chair as a dress but also extends seamlessly into the form of a carpet. This design skillfully blends an air of mystery and rediscovery through an interplay of shapes, all while paying tribute to the iconic chair by merging modern, future-proof textiles with its iconic design.

As for the biotextile space dividers, boasting a ‘solid water’ look, the Levi’s denim dye is extracted and recycled, then mixed with natural binders. The result is a unique material with a translucent quality, representing a remarkable innovation in the realm of space dividers.

Link to the original article on The Visionary Lab