Oh My Gosh and Heavens to Betsy! Who ever thought the term “pantsuit” would ever arise in an architecture and design blog during the second decade of the new millennium? For the very word seems as old-fashioned as, well, the two aforementioned expressions. But leave it to Studio Läufer & Keichel to make the expression hip once more—thanks to their complex 3D knitting process, they were able to create a nifty, form-fitting “suit” of upholstery that zips on and off their Coupe Chair. Just like a pantsuit!

Coupe Chair. Designed by Studio Läufer & Keichel. Manufactured by Offecct.

Complex Conical Knitting Creates Upholstery for The Coupe Chair’s Multiple Personalities

The chair itself has a curving metal and plywood frame—nothing revolutionary, but certainly sufficient to give the requisite framework of “chairness” required for the project, since, as manufacturer Offecct says, “when looking at Coupe one gets the impression the product is completely textile.”

That, according to Läufer & Keichel, is precisely the point. The Conical Knitting technology the duo perfected for Coupe’s changeable upholstery facilitates a quick zip off and on to give the chair an entirely new aspect in a jiffy.

Instead of a pantsuit, I liken the Coupe Chair’s presto-chango upholstery to an entirely new suit of skin. Such is the degree of the change, in fact, that to see Coupe zipped out of and into a new exterior is akin to seeing an acquaintance metamorphosed right before your very eyes—from tip of the head all the way to tippy-toes.

The “pantsuit” upholstery devised by the designers is originally sourced from mattress covers. Each set contains three layers for maximum cushion, thus explaining the upholstery’s slightly pillowy and decidedly comfy aspect. Available colors for Coupe’s new set of skin include Aquantic, Linnen, Chocolate, and Midnight. Extra poufy upholstery for the seat is optional.

About the Manufacturer: Offecct presents Scandinavian design for the millennial age. The Swedish company strives to (and succeeds I might add) synthesize the timeless aspects of the Scandinavian tradition with a new functionality for a new age. The result, as seen in products like Jean-Marie Massaud’s Oasis and Thomas Sandell’s King Chair, is a subtle updating and a profound homage: “Furniture harmonizing and creating creative environments within public surroundings and private homes… contemporary design breathing Scandinavian simplicity.”