A striking fusion of classic Scandinavian design and contemporary fashion aesthetics is captivating audiences at this year’s 3daysofdesign festival in Copenhagen. The special exhibition showcases a collaborative project between acclaimed Danish fashion designer Stine Goya and the late Finnish furniture pioneer Yrjö Kukkapuro, reinterpreting Kukkapuro’s iconic Moderno chair series through a vivid, modern lens.
Originally designed in the 1960s, the Moderno series is celebrated for its ergonomic integrity and minimalist ethos. In this new iteration, Goya injects her bold chromatic style into Kukkapuro’s timeless forms, resulting in limited-edition pieces that blur the lines between function and art. The collection includes stools, chairs, barstools, and rocking chairs, all crafted with a refined palette of pale birch and walnut wood, enhanced with chrome accents and textiles inspired by tape embroidery.
This unique collaboration represents a rare intersection between fashion and furniture design, transforming utilitarian objects into emotive, narrative-driven works. The pieces explore how aesthetic innovation can breathe new life into legacy designs while remaining true to their functional roots.
“We wanted to create something that honored Kukkapuro’s vision while pushing the boundaries of how we experience furniture,” said Goya. “Color, texture, and material all became tools to tell a new story.”
The project has sparked widespread interest in design circles, underscoring several key industry trends:
Fusion Design Approach: The blending of traditional Scandinavian craftsmanship with contemporary fashion sensibilities illustrates the growing appeal of narrative-driven, cross-disciplinary design.
Chromatic Ergonomics: The use of bold color and pattern within ergonomic furniture forms exemplifies how aesthetic daring can coexist with comfort and utility.
Heritage Modernization: Reimagining mid-century classics through new materials and techniques reveals how heritage design can remain relevant in a modern context.
The exhibition not only highlights the creative synergy between two distinct disciplines but also signals broader implications for the design world. For the furniture industry, it affirms the potential of artistic collaborations to re-energize classic lines. In interior décor, the collection demonstrates how fashion-forward concepts can elevate everyday living spaces. And for curators and exhibition organizers, it presents a model for engaging diverse audiences through immersive, interdisciplinary showcases.
As the 3daysofdesign festival continues, the Stine Goya x Yrjö Kukkapuro collection stands out as a compelling statement on design evolution — one where the past and future meet in vibrant, tactile harmony.
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