Some of our best designs are born out of partnership, a product of a specific people, time, and space. Collaborations result in broadened skill sets and ideas that endure through trends. Stool 60 by Alvar Aalto might be one of the most powerful examples of that, taking a revolutionary process at the time, steam bending wood, and translating that into a simple, timeless object still loved and reproduced today. After the well-received first installment of Paul Smith for Artek, the designer is back with Edition Two, featuring a new color scheme for the iconic stool, signature to the launch.
The power of color is never lost on Smith, each element is adorned with different dyes, giving a playful, creative feel to the piece. Hard to just have one, the Stool 60 is like a potato chip: fine on its own, but best in large numbers, and totally stackable – here, up to ten.
A deep red, soft sky blue, and inky green adorn the legs, while a chestnut stain adds character to the top, creating a distinctly mid-century aesthetic – hues all hand-picked from the signature Paul Smith pinstripe palette. A quick glimpse at the underside reveals a hot-rod red bottom in a cheeky nod to an iconic shoe.
When first launched, the technology utilized to manufacture these distinct legs had just been invented, creating an incredibly light and strong wooden solution. Alvar and Aino Aalto were true pioneers of their time, influencing subsequent generations of makers while stirring the hearts of aesthetes, young and old. Many other designers quickly followed suit, attracted by the great promise within the production technique.
Some 80 years later, this design still stays true to itself, never compromising its quality or durability – there’s no need to buy something new if it never breaks. Classics are famous for a reason, yet still have the capacity to surprise, even decades later.
As the legacy of Stool 60 endures, one thing is certain: each update and reissue captures a snapshot of current tastes, highlighting the specific idiosyncrasies that make pop culture. Looking toward the future, one can imagine a multitude of iterations, joining the family of other Stool 60s, always well-made, and always worth the investment.
To shop or learn more about Paul Smith’s limited Edition Two for Artek, visit paulsmith.com.
Photography courtesy of Paul Smith and Artek.
