A Closer Look at Alexander Wang’s $8,800 Beanbag Chair
Author:Lindsey ShookThis piece orginially appeared on Style.com.
Alexander Wang is no stranger to the worlds of home and novelty design. His webshop sells a studded coaster set, lighter case, and water bottle holder, all in black leather, alongside the coveted clothes and bags. Still, no one saw his latest collection coming.
“I love the idea of the beanbag as this banal, everyday item that everyone has a reference to that you wouldn’t expect to come from a brand such as Poltrona Frau,” Wang told Style.com of his new furniture capsule collection, done in collaboration with the Italian furniture maker and leather specialist. “When Poltrona Frau approached me, I was so excited because they’re such a leader in the industry, so renowned for the product and the quality and the prestige. So I said yes of course immediately.”
The result: two beanbag seats and a trunk bar, both made in matte black leather (the beanbag chair will also come in a shearling option) with brass trimming. Wang’s elevated take on what is essential dorm furniture perfectly represents his high-low luxury sensibility. “Poltrona Frau is very classic and traditional,” he says. “It’s all about the quality and the precision, and I really wanted to bring some friction to it, and think about how to challenge this idea working within their structure and with what they’re used to doing.”
Mission accomplished, beautifully. Priced at $8,800 for the beanbag and $18,500 for the trunk, this offering is not for the novice furniture collector, but would you expect anything less? And should we expect more Wang furniture in the future? “I guess we’ll see,” he says. “I do like to explore and I like to leave the conversation open. This was a new challenge for me. I love the idea of extending myself into other products and environments.” Perhaps he’ll just stick to it as a hobby. “I love to do a custom job. I’ve bought a lot of pieces and reupholstered or put custom framing on them. I got this beautiful chaise from Milo Baughman and reupholstered it in black mink. That’s the kind of piece I love.”
