Paul Smith and Artek Reunite for a Colorful “Edition Three” Stool 60

Finnish design house Artek and British fashion designer Paul Smith have unveiled "Edition Three" of the iconic Stool 60, continuing their collaborative partnership that began in 2024. This latest iteration reimagines Alvar Aalto's seminal 1933 design, a cornerstone of functionalist furniture, by infusing it with Paul Smith's signature "classic with a twist" philosophy and vibrant color palette. The collaboration bridges Artek's commitment to timeless, Nordic modernist principles with Smith's playful and distinctive aesthetic, resulting in a piece that functions as both practical everyday furniture and a collectible design object.

The Stool 60, originally designed by the acclaimed Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto, is renowned for its simple yet ingenious construction. Aalto's innovative use of bent birch plywood and a three-legged design allowed for mass production and stackability, making it an accessible and enduring piece of furniture. This "Edition Three" retains Aalto's fundamental three-legged birch construction, but introduces striking stained finishes inspired by Paul Smith's iconic Signature Stripe. The legs are presented in a trio of bold, contrasting hues: Lemon Yellow, Burgundy, and Melrose Pink. The seat maintains a natural wood top, offering a tactile and organic contrast to the vibrant legs. A particularly noteworthy detail, characteristic of Smith's design approach, is the hidden underside of the seat, which is finished in a rich Malachite Green. This concealed element adds a sense of discovery and wit, a subtle surprise revealed only when the stool is flipped or stacked.

Functionally, the "Edition Three" Stool 60 upholds the inherent versatility of the original design. It can serve effectively as seating, a convenient side table, or a decorative surface. Its inherent stackability, a key feature of Aalto's original concept, allows for up to ten stools to be piled vertically. When grouped, these stacked stools create a visually dynamic striped effect, emphasizing both their utility and their potential as an aesthetic installation. This feature is particularly appealing for those looking to maximize space or create a striking visual statement.

The "Edition Three" Stool 60 is positioned as a limited-edition release, underscoring its collectible nature. It is priced at €390 EUR, which approximates to $451 USD. The launch of "Edition Three" also coincides with the restock of the previously released "Edition One" and "Edition Two" stools, an initiative designed to encourage collectors to acquire a complete set of this collaborative series. This strategic release pattern taps into the collector market, fostering a sense of completion and desirability. The collection is available for purchase through select Artek and Paul Smith flagship boutiques located globally, as well as through their respective official online stores. This ongoing collaboration between Artek and Paul Smith builds upon a shared appreciation for enduring, functional design, successfully translating it into contemporary, eye-catching pieces that resonate with both design aficionados and fashion-conscious consumers.