German fashion designer Jil Sander has ventured into the world of furniture design with her first collaboration with renowned furniture brand Thonet. The partnership resulted in a contemporary reinterpretation of the iconic “S 64” chair, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1929-1930. The chair, which has become a symbol of Bauhaus design, now features new details that blend Sander’s signature minimalist aesthetic with Breuer’s timeless structure.
S 64 Reimagined: A Fusion of Classic and Contemporary
For the Serious line, Sander focused on updating the classic S 64 chair, keeping its cantilever tubular steel frame and canework seat and backrest, while introducing a glossy finish on the frame. The seats and backrests now feature leather upholstery in four distinct shades, with an additional version that retains the original canework but comes in a sleek “Dark Melange” hue. Sander’s aim was to bring Breuer’s design into the modern era while maintaining its iconic appeal.
“My goal was to take the S 64 as Breuer meant it to be and bring it into the here and now,” Sander explains. The new design honors the chair’s enduring legacy, with the aim to subtly reveal its updates while keeping its original charm intact.
Nordic Line: A Warmer Approach to the Bauhaus Classic
In the Nordic collection, Sander embraced a softer, warmer approach, inspired by Northern European design. The chair’s frame is now finished in matte silver nickel, paired with white pigmented oak and natural or white-toned leather. Both the Serious and Nordic lines also include a set of nesting tables that complement the chairs in terms of color and material, completing the collection’s cohesive look.
“The collection simply looks as if we had taken Breuer’s cantilever chair and carefully polished it,” says Sander. Despite the new elements, the classic S 64 design remains instantly recognizable.
The JS. Thonet Signature collection debuted during Milan Design Week 2025. For more details, visit the Thonet website.
