Gordon von Steiner's Chair #1 is Inspired by "Monumental Minimalism"
From Troye Sivan’s creative director to fledgling furniture designer – Gordon von Steiner tells us about his first-ever chair, designed for House of Leon.
You’ll probably know Gordon von Steiner for his work in filmmaking and photography, with the Canadian-British director having made a name for himself working alongside the likes of Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior and Hermes. But now, he’s reintroducing himself and is taking on an entirely new area: furniture design.
Alongside Los Angeles-based House of Leon, Steiner has created an armchair that translates his signature visual style into something more tangible. “Furniture is an exciting new territory for me,” he tells Hypebeast. It might be his first foray into the practice, but in terms of the process he took, Steiner employed similar steps to when working on a regular project. “Like in filmmaking, it was about crafting each detail to shape how people connect with the final piece,” he says. “It was about thinking of how each element guides the final product and evokes a feeling, only this time through design rather than a screen.”
Dubbed “Chair #1”, the design combines a chrome frame and a leather backrest and seat. The sleekness of it all is inspired, in part, by the works of great architects, namely Oscar Niemeyer and Marcel Breuer – “both of whom redefined modernism in their own ways,” he says. “Niemeyer’s work, particularly his architectural creations, showed how bold, clean forms could evoke a sense of drama and sophistication. That blend of minimalism with monumental impact is super inspiring to me.”
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Courtesy Of House Of Leon
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Courtesy Of House Of Leon
According to House of Leon founders, brothers Jordan and Steven Neman, the collaboration with Steiner originated quite naturally. Through their business, they want to collaborate with those from creative industries outside of design but who have a keen interest – and the filmmaker was just that. “This chair is an example of the beautiful results that can be born from fresh perspectives to furniture design,” Jordan says.
Chair #1 will is now on show, and also for sale, at the brand’s Los Angeles showroom. Later this year, they will be releasing a version in nubuck leather. “Stainless steel and leather have an inherent sophistication but also a toughness,” Steiner says on his material choices. “The chrome frame gives the piece a sense of structure, almost architectural, while the Brazilian black leather brings warmth and texture. I wanted to create a piece that felt both polished and raw—balancing opposites to create something unique.”
Head to House of Leon’s website to find out more about Chair #1, which is priced at $2,600 USD.
