Two Collections. One Attitude. And a Designer Who Doesn’t Decorate Design, but Thinks It.
To celebrate its 200th anniversary, Thonet has launched a special collaboration: JS·THONET – a personal interpretation by Jil Sander.
This is a very personal interpretation by Jil Sander herself – based on the classic designs of Marcel Breuer. Not a simple redesign, but a reinterpretation that preserves the essence of the classics while clearly expressing Jil Sander’s own design philosophy.
Jil Sander – Design as an Attitude
Jil Sander is known for her uncompromising clarity. Whether in fashion or furniture: no excess, no loud gestures – instead, a precise play of proportion, material, and atmosphere. Her designs do not rely on effects but on depth. And this attitude directly translates into her collaboration with Thonet.
Two Collections – Two Design Worlds
SERIOUS – Concentrated Presence
In Serious, the decisive, almost sculptural side of the edition is revealed: deep colors like graphite, ruby red, dark green, or ink blue, combined with high-gloss powder-coated frames in a titanium look. The surfaces reflect subtly without dazzling.
The leather is open-pored, full-grain, and intentionally lively. It comes from European bull hides, vegetable-tanned in Italy – with visible structure. Each chair shows character; no surface is identical.
Insights into the Collection:
NORDIC – Light, Air, and Material Calm
The Nordic collection reveals a completely different facet: light, white-pigmented oak wood, matte nickel frames, and leather in soft tones like alabaster, burnt walnut, or light caramel.
The color of the frame matches the shade used in Jil Sander stores worldwide. Anyone who has ever been in one of her boutiques knows this atmosphere: cool, calm, soft.
The canework in Nordic draws on traditional techniques, with light, partially bleached weaving – a nod to Biedermeier chairs, reinterpreted in a modern way.
Insights from the Interview with Jil Sander
In an exclusive interview with Thonet, Jil Sander discusses her reasons for the collaboration. She explains that her goal was not simply to redesign the classics but to elevate them to a new level. She was inspired by, among other things, the matte nickel-silver surface of a Steinway grand piano and the leather upholstery of an English luxury car. Her interpretation of the S 64 chair combines Marcel Breuer’s clear formal language with noble materials and subtle color nuances. The Nordic series impresses with a warm, matte nickel-silver frame, while Serious features a shiny titanium look. Both lines embody a reduced elegance that creates a strong presence in modern offices and private offices alike.
Read the full interview here: Interview with Jil Sander – Thonet Magazine
What Makes This Edition Special
Both collections do not change the form – but the effect. Through the careful choice of color, surface, and material, each classic gains a new character. All models also feature a personal engraving by Jil Sander – a fine detail that underscores the uniqueness of each seat.
The JS·THONET edition is a true highlight – ideal for modern offices and private offices.
If you are interested in Jil Sander’s personal interpretation, feel free to contact us.
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Best regards,
Giulia
