big chair project

luvly grub | sir paul smith | ant chair > republic of fritz hansen | click > enlarge

Here’s a fun and worthy cause. Take a seat! Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Fifteen celebrates 10 Years with ‘The BIG Chair Project’, a collaboration of artists and designers who will impose a personal, food-inspired design upon iconic Republic Fritz Hansen™ chairs. Fritz Hansen™ – a long-standing supporter of Fifteen – has donated twenty iconic ANT™ chair, also celebrating a 60th anniversary this year. Jamie Oliver is also getting involved himself, customising a classic EGG™ chair and footstool, which Fritz Hansen™ have also kindly donated. Jamie will also design an ANT™ chair in collaboration with renowned photographer David Loftus.The chairs will be auctioned online.
Online auction deadline: 9 October: 23.59 BST[ details / bid now ]

Commenting on his chair, Paul Smith said: “I’ve been a bit naughty, because on the front side of the chair it is full of cakes and all those delicious things that are bad for you!, then on the back of the chair it’s full of healthy stuff – lots of fruit, vegetables and lettuce!  – it’s both sides of the coin really, the bad side and the good side. It’s not really the chair, it’s not really the fact its Paul Smith, it’s the fact that it’s for a good cause(*) so if you can support us with a generous bid that would be brilliant!”

There are lots of ways for the public to support the initiative(*). Some of the chairs will be available to win as part of a lottery. People simply need to [ buy a ticket ] and also have a chance of winning a unique chair from one of the designers. The remaining chairs will be auctioned online to give fans across the world the chance to get their hands on something truly unique. | Alternatively, if you already know you can’t miss the live auction event on the 11th October, please email angela.morris@jamieoliver.com or phone 020 3375 5518 to request an invitation.

[ artists and designers ]
Barnaby Purdy
Cath Kidston
Christopher Bailey, Chief Creative Officer, Burberry
David Loftus
Emma Tissier
INSA
Jamie Oliver
Jay Jay Burridge
Jonathan Yeo
Julian McDonald
Liberty
Matthew Williamson
Nunzio Citro (former Fifteen apprentice)
Paul Smith
Quentin Blake
Ricardo Cinalli
Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
Superdry
Jo Sampson Collection for Waterford Crystal
Tracey Emin

[ republic of fritz hansen ] [ fifteen ] was founded by Jamie Oliver in 2002. His vision was to create a professionally run kitchen, serving beautiful Italian food, alongside a pioneering Apprentice Programme. At the heart of the business is a desire to enable young people to believe in themselves, to show them their past can be left behind and persuade them the future is theirs to create. Apprentices graduate after 12 months of extensive training and start their journey of becoming the next generation of professional chefs. [ (*) the better food foundation ] is a registered charity (NO.1094536) that exists to educate, empower and inspire people of all ages to make better and more-informed food choices. The Better Food Foundation, receives all profits from Fifteen.