Balenciaga designed a couch with Harry Nuriev

In these times of climate emergency and the race for sustainability, promises and statements from luxury brands abound. But on the occasion of the upcoming Design Miami 2019, Russian artist Harry Nuriev and Balenciaga created their statement in the form of a design work: the Balenciaga Sofa.

It's a sofa composed of a transparent vinyl pillowcase and padded only with Balenciaga factory or warehouse scraps, with labels, buttons and patterns completely visible. The vinyl, on the other hand, has been recovered from the waste materials of Nuriev's previous works. The fashion house commented:

“The piece reflects Balenciaga’s recognition of the responsibility designers have to counterbalance their environmental impact, and dedication to implementing programs that upcycle waste and contribute to a circular economy.”

The sofa was chosen, among all the pieces of furniture, because it represents the main furnishing of most houses. In addition to the environmental statement, the work evokes the nostalgia of the 90s and, specifically, the iconography of the inflatable chairs. This is not the first collaboration between Harry Nuriev and the brand directed by Demna Gvasalia: for Design Miami 2018 the artist had created an entire office-environment covered by Balenciaga branding.