Dezeen Magazine

Supreme covers Alvar Aalto's iconic 400 Tank armchair in "f*ck" fabric

Streetwear brand Supreme has released its own version of the Alvar Aalto 400 Tank chair, covered in a custom-made fabric based on Robert Indiana's iconic Love artwork.

The 400 Tank chair, which the Finnish designer created for Artek in 1936, forms part of Supreme's Autumn Winter 2017 collection.

The chair features sculptural, wide armrests formed from a bent plywood frame – a feature distinctive of Aalto's furniture design.

Its cushioned backrest and seat is upholstered in a custom-made jacquard fabric, with a pattern that spells "f*ck". The letter "U" is italicised, in a reference to the Love artwork by pop artist Robert Indiana.

It's the second time Supreme has collaborated with Artek on a design – last year the US brand released a chequerboard-topped version of its iconic Stool 60.

Aalto is one of the most famous Finnish architects and designers in history and is widely considered a pioneer of modern architecture.

His most notable projects include his own museum in his hometown of Jyväskylä, which was recently the subject of an international competition to create an extension connecting it to another Aalto-designed building.

He founded Artek in 1935 alongside wife and architect Aino Aalto, art collector Maire Gullichsen and critic Nils-Gustav Hahl.

The company was bought by Swiss furniture brand Vitra in September 2013, and has since bought the production facilities where Aalto developed his bent-wood furniture and appointed former Design Miami director Marianne Goebl as its managing director.

Although he died in 1976 at the age of 78, the furniture Aalto designed for Artek – including Stool 60 and Tea Trolley – continues to be popular among design enthusiasts.

Supreme was founded in 1994 by James Jebbia, with its first store located on Lafayette Street in downtown Manhattan.

Alongside its own line of clothing and accessories, the brand regularly collaborates with other labels, such as The North Face, Nike, Levi's, Vans and Timberland.

It now has 10 locations in New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, London and Paris – the last of which features interiors designed by London studio Brinkworth.