Fashion brand G-Star Raw has collaborated with New York–based designer Caroline Chao to present The Roll-Up Chair, a conceptual modular seat that questions why furniture has to be heavy, static, or permanent. Launched as part of G-Star’s ongoing Art of Raw initiative, the project transforms surplus denim and industrial by-products into a piece that sits between furniture, clothing and object design.
Constructed from unsold G-Star denim, steel railing components, architectural fasteners and vintage snap buttons, the chair directly references the brand’s denim heritage while embracing a raw, utilitarian aesthetic. Its most radical feature lies in its flexibility: the chair can be fully dismantled, rolled up, and even hung on a wall like a garment when not in use, challenging the conventional lifecycle and spatial demands of furniture.
Chao’s architectural background informs the project’s focus on human–object interaction. Drawing inspiration from camping gear and military equipment, the Roll-Up Chair treats furniture as something adaptable and mobile. Over time, the denim surface is designed to age visibly, accumulating wear and patina much like a well-loved pair of jeans, turning use into a form of personal expression.
The project continues G-Star’s exploration of circular design through Art of Raw, a platform that invites artists and designers to reimagine deadstock and discarded denim. Previous collaborations have included the multifunctional Denim Living furniture series with Teun Zwets, and the Uneri lighting collection combining denim and Japanese washi paper by Kodai Iwamoto.
The Roll-Up Chair by Caroline Chao × G-Star Raw was unveiled on 4 September 2025 at the Collectible fair in New York, positioning denim not just as fashion material, but as a flexible medium for future furniture design.
Source: 77 Global Furnishings Media
