yen khe design crafts gosoï furniture collection in french solid oak at maison et objet

designer tran nu yen khe is an international actress best known for her role in the film the scent of green papaya. throughout her career, she has combined her experience in filming with her passion for design. but her acting career never made her lose sight of her design vocation — instead she would apply it by taking care of the film sets and costumes while also doing the artistic direction for several films.

all images courtesy of yen khe design

in 2010, renowned japanese writer haruki murakami suggested yen khe that she shouldn’t stop with her design career after seeing the film norwegian wood, in which she created the film sets and costumes. murakami, the film writer, was moved by the way the designer had interpreted his book. she followed his advice and created her own collection of furniture dubbed gosoï which will be presented in paris during the maison et objet fall 2019 edition.

gosoï, which means oak wood in vietnamese, is a collection of furniture consisting of a table, chair, bench and a stool whose architecture features oblique outlines that create a dynamic tension. the sharp and tapered forms of the pieces give the furniture a certain elegance and a light, floating sensation.

manufactured in french solid oak, this material allows the furniture to become more beautiful with the passage of time, making it possible to be handed down from one generation to another while acquiring in it a memento of sentimental value. the use of folded metal as a vital part of the structure adds to one’s appreciation of the color as well as ensuring solidity.

the gosoï collection by yen khe has been made in vietnam by the AA corporation, a company recognized for its collaboration with renewed architects and brands throughout south east asia.