VITRA relaunches prouvé's kangourou chair in a limited edition of 150 units

jean prouvé’s kangourou chair released by VITRA

A cherished classic chair sees the light again, as VITRA is relaunching Jean Prouvé‘s Fauteuil Kangourou in a limited edition of 150 units. Together with the French designer’s daughter, Catherine Prouvé, the Swiss manufacturing brand continues the legacy showcasing this new version in a natural oak structure and metal legs. The vibrancy of the upholstery cannot go unnoticed either as the customized Bleu Marcoule color complements and brings the form together. As hinted by its name, the chair carries its weight on its hind legs, which not only makes it particularly comfortable, but it also gives the design its aesthetic identity.

Fauteuil Kangourou will be available from June 15 on the Vitra Campus and website, as early access can be registered here.

Jean Prouvé’s Fauteuil Kangourou limited edition, in Bleu Marcoule

all images courtesy of VITRA

photographs by Florian Böhm

vitra continues Prouvé’s legacy with kangourou chair

The understated technical creations of Jean Prouvé (1901-1984) are timeless, and yet only a few of his Fauteuil Kangourou remain today. VITRA pays tribute to this iconic design by relaunching a limited number of 150 chairs developed in close cooperation with the French designer’s daughter, with whom the furniture manufacturing company has been collaborating for over 20 years. As the iconic pieces are reissued, Catherine Prouvé reflects and continues her father’s legacy.

VITRA relaunches a limited number of 150 chairs developed in close cooperation with the French designer’s daughter

Fauteuil Kangourou holds a special place in the designer’s career, not only because of its characteristic shape, but also because of the use of oak wood – a material that Prouvé greatly used and appreciated. Slightly tweaked, the June 2022 release combines natural oak with metal legs, with upholstery made of a softly woven bouclé fabric.

‘The wooden armchair has a warm appeal, without losing the distinctive design language that characterizes many of Prouvé’s designs,’ says Christian Grosen, Chief Design Officer of VITRA.

oak wood is a material that Prouvé greatly used and appreciated in his designs

like its namesake, kangourou carries its weight on its hind legs

When defining the individual details of the latest edition, VITRA looked to a historic version of the armchair from the holdings of the VITRA Design Museum, which has the most extensive museum collection of Jean Prouvé’s furniture and objects in the world. Like its namesake, Fauteuil Kangourou’s structure is such as to let the seat carry the weight on its hind legs. Besides being practically comfortable, the wooden side profiles reflect their static construction: they are widest where the greatest stress is exerted.

In the meantime, VITRA is reissuing four other designs of the designer in September 2022: Abat-Jour Conique, a conical lamp shade developed in 1947, two stools Tabouret N° 307 and Tabouret Métalique as well as the wall-mounted shelving unit Rayonnage Mural, which he designed in 1936. In addition, in autumn 2022, the manufacturing company expands Prouvé’s color palette to include some of the original colors like Blanc Colombe, Gris Vermeer, Bleu Dynastie, Blé Vert, Bleu Marcoule, and the Métal Brut variant in unpainted steel.

the upholstery is made of a softly woven bouclé fabric

Jean Prouvé’s Collection at the VITRA Design Museum with the 1948 Kangourou chair

close-up of the 1948 Kangourou at the VITRA Design Museum

slightly tweaked, the summer 2022 release combines natural oak with metal legs, upholstered in a softly woven bouclé fabric.

‘the wooden armchair has a warm appeal, without losing the distinctive design language that characterizes many of Prouvé’s designs,’ says Christian Grosen, Chief Design Officer of VITRA