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September 1, 2023

Updating history-making classics with revolutionary tactics is Varier’s latest pair of reinterpreted ergonomic chairs, proving that greatness need not always start from the ground up.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is a fair argument to consider in many facets of life, but certainly not when it comes to the topic of innovation. Every now and then, we have to return to the past to simultaneously honour and improve upon it, affording the opportunity for a whole new audience to appreciate both the old and new in the process of doing so. Fair to say, this mindset was adopted by the designers behind the reimagining of two popular ergonomic chairs originally created in collaboration with Varier. These recent additions keep in line with the Norwegian furniture company’s humanistic and holistic approach to sitting, believing that being in balance creates a much healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. 

According to Ill-Studio’s mastermind Thomas Subreville, “Emotional Engineering meets Ergonomic Fantasy” when it comes to Mind Gravity™, the company’s modern reinterpretation of Peter Opsvik’s iconic Gravity™ chair. The final outcome retains the inherent substance of the original model which seamlessly accommodates both relaxation and productivity, while bringing supplementary narratives and visual layers to its ethos; such a feat is achieved through the visual language of new materials, colours and textures.

The Paris-based creative practice envisioned the one and only Gravity™ chair as a functional sculpture that affects its users in far more ways than the mere fulfilment of physical needs. Translating this thought into action, the Mind Gravity™ chair integrates different senses into one unified perceptual experience through its positions, from tasking to full zero gravity.

Another revisited icon is Terje Ekstrøm’s cleverly named Ekstrem™ chair, playfully flamboyant and unusually organic in shape. Imbuing ample character into any space, this 1984 creation not only presents an out-of-the-ordinary sitting experience but makes for a conversation-starting, stand-alone work of art too. Beyond that, it represents one of Norway’s first postmodern designs as it speaks true to functional design and modern, flexible ways of living. Evidently, ‘versatility’ is an essential keyword here as the user can easily sit forward, sideways, turn all the way around, or even kick their feet up on the armrests – discovering comfort in whole new ways.

The year 2023 sees the introduction of Ekstrem™ in Gentle 2, a richly knitted velvet upholstery fabric in six new colourways from the dynamic Dutch interior textile brand, Kvadart Febrik. This revolutionary new upholstery technique has a voluminous expression, featuring a rich surface with a subtle shine. With its excellent stretchability, the fabric clings to curves in a particularly elegant way, ideal for covering organic shapes just like Ekstrem™. Nothing short of bold, it will be available in four desaturated colours – Orange, Rose, Blue and Green – as well as the two classic monochromatic hues of Black and White. 

Both of these reconceptualised thrones, fit for the bold and adventurous, can be found at none other than XTRA, the nation’s top importer and retailer of branded lighting and nonconforming furniture. Immerse yourself in the full Varier experience, along with that of many other high-end global brands, at their massive showroom at The Gardens Mall in Kuala Lumpur.

For more information, please visit xtrafurniture.com