raf simons upholsters 100 cassina feltri armchairs in vintage quilts for calvin klein's miami/basel debut

calvin klein unveils its first installation at design miami/ basel, featuring an authentic american barn and a showcase of cassina feltri armchairs. the limited edition of only 100 chairs are upholstered in an array of vintage one-of-a-kind american heirloom quilts chosen by chief creative officer, raf simons.

image © stefano de monte

created by influential italian designer gaetano pesce for cassina in 1987, the feltri armchair has since become an icon and a mainstay of contemporary design collectibles. it is an ironic take on the royal throne, made of thick wool felt using a specially patented technique. the backrest is soft and enveloping while the lower part, infused with thermosetting resin, is firm and durable.

image © stefano de monte

quilt patterns courtesy of calvin klein

the installation marks a continuity in simons’ exploration of an international dialogue as filtered through an american lens. calvin klein house codes are applied to each one of the numbered armchair’s interior upholstery featuring quilt’s that date back to the 19th and 20th centuries. armchairs numbered 1 – 50 will be available for purchase at the fair, while the remaining 50 – 100 will be made available for purchase through cassina at a later date.

installation images © delfino sisto legnani unless stated otherwise

the barn, one of several built for the calvin klein 205W39NYC fall 2018 runway show, is reconstructed  from reclaimed wood dated to the 19^th century. its walls are papered with billboard-scale images of artwork by andy warhol, part of the brand’s ongoing and multi-level partnership with the andy warhol foundation for the visual arts.

image © designboom

image © designboom

image © designboom

image © designboom

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