recycled tire armchairs by villu jaanisoo take center stage at acne studios' FW24 show

Tire Sculptures by Villu Jaanisoo at Acne Studios FW24 Show

Following their SS23 giant disco ball installation, Acne Studios once again captivates with a striking set design at the FW24 show during Paris Fashion Week. This time, Estonian artist Villu Jaanisoo’s two large-scale sculptures, crafted from recycled tires, took center stage. The works, resembling oversized chairs, served as the focal point, with smaller cushion-like versions providing seating for the attendees. Described by the fashion brand as embodying a silhouette akin to a ‘body,’ the industrial-material chairs complemented the overall theme of the garment collection. The presented clothing was characterized by its roots in toughness and the human form, featuring materials such as leather and denim.

Villu Jaanisoo’s large-scale sculptures are crafted from recycled tires | all images courtesy of Acne Studios

recycled rubber seats complement futuristic garment collection

Acne Studios unveiled its FW24 collection within a crisp white space illuminated by multiple spotlights, creating a pristine atmosphere. Enhancing this setting were Villu Jaanisoo’s oversized seats, crafted from recycled rubber tires. The shiny, dark rubber of the sculptures starkly contrasted with the all-white interior, contributing to a minimalist yet bold ambiance for showcasing the garment collection. ‘What interests me about working with tires is the certain ‘inner resistance’ of this material: it requires a lot of physical as well as mental force to shape them; the resistance that exists in each tyre makes the surface of the sculpture alive, almost baroque,’ shares the Estonian artist.

Jaanisoo’s pieces echoed the collection’s aesthetic, featuring molded leather and denim pieces with a raw, mechanical edge, embodying a futuristic vision that embraces elevated femininity alongside a tough attitude. ‘I’ve always been drawn to leather and denim. It’s the spirit of Acne Studios. One of our first collections in the late 90s was called ‘leather and denim’; two things that belong together. This season, we’ve created a powerful leather and denim woman,’ says Jonny Johansson, creative director of the Scandinavian fashion house. ‘I’ve always related to clothing through subcultural movements. Denim and leather can transcend genre and subcultures – from punk to S&M. When you want to feel tough you gravitate towards leather and denim; it’s like armour. It always feels right. An empowering safety zone.’

the works, resembling oversized chairs, served as the focal point of the set design