Fashion and furniture intertwine as Sea New York brings bespoke embroidery to Finn Juhl’s iconic Japan Series
Photography by Ina Levy
What happens when one of Denmark’s most celebrated furniture brands meets a contemporary New York fashion label? At House of Finn Juhl, the result is an unlikely collaboration with Sea New York, which introduces embroidered textiles to Finn Juhl’s minimalist Japan Series in a limited-edition collection unveiled during 3daysofdesign.
Presented as part of The Deviation is in the Detail, the collaboration revisits one of Finn Juhl’s most recognisable designs. Originally introduced in 1957, the Japan Series – comprising a lounge chair, footstool, two-seater sofa and three-seater sofa – has been upholstered in bespoke textiles created by Sea New York under the creative direction of Monica Paolini. Lending texture and warmth to the collection’s clean lines, the intricate motifs add a handcrafted sensibility to Finn Juhl’s restrained silhouettes.
‘The Deviation is in the Detail is how Finn Juhl described his approach to design,’ says House of Finn Juhl. ‘It’s a quote we love to use and also the title of this exhibition, where historic works and new interpretations highlight design heritage, artistic inspiration and traditional craftsmanship.’
Photography courtesy of House of Finn Juhl
The intervention is intentionally subtle. Delicate patterns introduce a quirky touch to Finn Juhl’s bold, sculptural forms and considered detailing, without detracting from his original vision. This approach feels fitting for a designer who viewed furniture with the curiosity and experimentation of an artist.
Approaching furniture with the mindset of a sculptor rather than a traditional constructor, Finn Juhl focused on form, proportion and the relationship between objects and their surroundings, moving away from strict functionalism and the heavy, traditional styles that preceded him.
These ideas form the foundation of the exhibition, which explores the artistic influences and creative curiosity that inspired Finn Juhl’s work. Inspired by abstract and surrealist art, the Danish architect and furniture designer remained connected to the art world throughout his career, a relationship reflected in the exhibition’s presentation of his designs alongside works by artists, including Danish modernist painter Vilhelm Lundstrøm, avant-garde sculptor Sonja Ferlov Mancoba and Icelandic sculptor Sigurjón Ólafsson.
Photography by Ina Levy
Curated by multidisciplinary architectural practice Mathias Mentze and Alexander Ottenstein, the exhibition was conceived as a spatial staging of Finn Juhl’s furniture. Screens crafted from solid cherry wood define and frame the display, drawing inspiration from several of Finn Juhl’s own interior schemes, while brick plinths made from Harris Tegl bricks reference the stone paving used throughout his architectural projects, including his former home in Ordrup.
Ólafsson’s work is presented alongside Finn Juhl’s Poet Sofa, first shown at the Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition in 1941 and originally conceived as one of the experiments the designer created for his own home. Together, these elements showcase the breadth of Finn Juhl’s practice and his ability to unite furniture, architecture and art through a singular design philosophy.
This interdisciplinary approach finds a contemporary counterpart in the collaboration with Sea New York, whose instinct for colour introduces a fresh vitality to Finn Juhl’s restrained palette. Pastel greens and soft purples infuse the Japan Series with a more youthful character, offering a contrast to its traditionally muted tones.
Photography by Ina Levy
‘Each of these significant pieces, like the Poet Sofa, the Chieftain Chair and the Pelican Chair, demonstrated his unconventional approach to furniture design,’ House of Finn Juhl continues. ‘So, our collaboration with Sea New York is really a contemporary interpretation of Finn Juhl’s universe.’
For Sea New York founders Monica Paolini and Sean Monahan, the partnership represents a meeting of two distinct creative worlds. ‘It’s been wonderful to work with the house and an honour for us to enter kind of a new world,’ say the childhood friends, who founded the label in 2007, combining Paolini’s eye for vintage-inspired pieces and Monahan’s preference for cleaner, more modern styles.
The collaboration feels novel for a house so steeped in history. By harmonising Sea New York’s whimsical, intricate signatures with House of Finn Juhl’s sleek, time-honoured designs, the pair have created a limited-edition collection that celebrates the potential found in unexpected pairings.
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