Once every two weeks, Town & Country puts together an assortment of the best design news and happenings— everything from interior design projects that pique our interest and auctions of note, to any must-have products on the market.
For the Togo Sofa’s 50th Anniversary, Ligne Roset introduces Two New Models
It’s hard to pinpoint when Instagram users caught wind of the Togo Sofa, but it was certainly in the last few years when the mid-century modern piece of furniture made its way en vogue to reaching a status symbol among today’s fashionable internet crowd (alongside the Mario Bellini sofa). But, for those in the know: The Togo Sofa, made by French designer Michel Ducaroy in 1973 has always been a coveted item. This year, the Togo sofa turns 50 and Ligne Roset, the NYC-based showroom which specializes in contemporary furniture and was founded the same year as the sofa, is celebrating in a way that may pique the interests of design enthusiasts.
Toile du Peintre by Heather Chontos.
Two new additions to the design, Atom and Toile du Peintre, reimagine the iconic (used here properly) with new upholstery. Think of Atom like a Milky Way; designed by the Belgian fashion designers Raf Simons and Kvadrat the boucle fabric is speckled with no visible repeat in colorways titled Bouleau, Labradorite, and Confettis. The type of upholstery can add texture and visual excitement to an otherwise flat room if needed. Toile du Peintre by Pierre Fray is a feast to the eyes that is joyful and energetic. The pattern is designed by painter and sculptor Heather Chontos, who is known to employ spontaneous shapes and intense colors.
To learn more about the special editions, please visit ligne-roset.com.
An Exhibition Celebrating 70 Years of Chloé
Just last week, Gabriela Hearst, who served as the creative director at Chloé for the past three years, waved goodbye to the brand with a jubilant show on the Seine that ended with her dancing in the midst of a band and dancers. Today, it was announced that Chemena Kamali will take over, and for those in New York: there’s a new fashion exhibition at the Jewish Museum of New York that will be worth seeing.
In 1952, Gaby Aghion, an Egyptian-born Parisian of Jewish faith, sought to liberate women’s bodies from stiffy formal attire. Thus, the birth of Chloé, a brand that has championed bohemian elegance for 70 years.
Coming to the Jewish Museum of New York from October 13 through February 18, the long-lasting legacy of the Maison will come to life in a first-ever retrospective of the brand. In Mood of the moment: Gaby Aghion and the house of Chloé, viewers will be treated to a timeline told by over 150 garments that have been crafted by some of the most notable creative directors in fashion: Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Pheobe Philo, and Clare Waight Keller are among them. There’s also a section dedicated to the 50 iterations of the signature Chloé blouse from across its history and never-before-exhibited sketches and documents from the archives.
For more information or to plan your trip, please visit the jewishmuseum.org.
For Their 100 Anniversary, Svenskt Tenn Revives the Past
Svenkst Tenn, the furniture brand originally from Stockholm, began their journey in 1924 by Estrid Ericson. The brand was a quick hit: working with pewter artist Nils Fougstedt, the brand produced modern pewter pieces that gained recognition of quality and a gold medal at the 1925 Exposition des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels in Paris. They were also assigned a royal warrant in 1928 and Ericson soon employed legendary architect and artist Josef Frank to help design furniture and shape the brand’s identity. Today, the brand, now owned by the Kjell and Märta Beijer Foundation (which provides research grants within ecology, and medicine) works to continue the brand’s legacy of whimsical design and superior craftsmanship.
The Stockhold cabinet is based off of an original design by Josef Frank.
Noah’s ark nesting tables feature animal motifs.
For their 100th anniversary next year, they’re doing so by offering two rare design objects that nod to both Josef Frank and Nils Gougstedt. The first is a Stockhold Cabinet, based on the original design by Frank. The face is characterized by a map of an overhead map of Stockholm. The second is the Noah’s Ark Nesting Table which was originally designed by Fougstedt. The new model features animal figures etched into the reflective surface of the table. Both observe the playful nature of the 100-year brand, without forgoing its high quality.
To pre-order the pieces, please visit skensttenn.com.
The Carl Hansen & Son Shell Chair Turns 60
To round up this iteration of anniversaries, the Carl Hansen & Son shell chair, best characterized by its low height and curvaceous silhouette, is turning 60. While the Danish brand is known for blending curves into structured designs, the shell chair is, arguably, its standout. An emblem of the mid-century movement, the design was ahead of its time; praised by critics but approached cautiously by the mass consumer. Hans J. Wegner, one of the brand’s chief designers, experimented with forming laminated wood and shortly introduced the prototype of bent plywood supported by an unusual three-leg base. The style has since been popular among modern-style interiors. Now, a new edition in rosewood and oak will be available only until December 31.
To purchase, please visit: carlhansen.com.
Hans J. Wegner CH07 J60P | Shell Chair Anniversary Edition, upholstered
