Wegner Teddy Bear Chairs...in real bear fur

The post we are about to write reminds us of an assignment we received from our high school English teacher. Mr. Z asked us to write a response to a short article that had just appeared in the NYT about a new fashion trend: men in skirts. The thought was, this will elicit some strong opinions.

Local interior designer Joe Kish has updated Hans Wegner's beloved Teddy Bear Chair in the most literal of ways: by reupholstering vintage and new models in real bear fur.

Now let's get something straight: we're against the gratuitous use of animal skins, so this is not something we would ever want in our home -- but we do appreciate its tongue-in-cheekiness. We also had a good laugh at the series of promo photos Joe sent in, which you can see for youself, below.

The original Teddy Bear Chair looks and feels like a bear hug and is a design classic. Now, in 100 words or less, what's this?

Vintage Teddy Bear Chairs in black, brown or white bear fur go for $5,000 - $7,000; new pieces for $11,000, from Joe Kish.

(Hans J. Wegner was one of the greatest and most prolific furniture designers of the modern era, responsible for more than 1000 original designs. He recently passed away in his native Denmark at 92 years of age.)

Comments (13)

i think it would be better upholstered in real teddy bear fur. that i would totally get behind.

but the pictures are hilarious.

posted by jennifer on 2007-02-01 13:34:03

I guess it's his money if he wants to waste it. Tacky IMO.

posted by lucie on 2007-02-01 15:41:19

i love this chair, and i love the fur!
joe kish is funny, and he has great taste in furniture.
his furniture store is awesome, good rare finds.

posted by stacy on 2007-02-01 16:45:38

ugly & upsetting.
I would walk out of the room if i saw this chair

posted by traci on 2007-02-01 19:11:00

These are amazing. I've always wanted a fur coat, and I feel like this is the next best thing. Now to find $11,000.

posted by Elizabeth on 2007-02-01 19:48:32

I wonder if sitting in this chair for prolonged periods of time would help keep one's sperm count up?

posted by chris on 2007-02-01 20:27:12

Who is the babe in the pictures. Also the guy is absolutely striking. He is really hot. I love his whole being. Where did you find such a hot model. Do you think I can use him for all my advertising needs? If anyone knows how to get a hold of him or his agent please let me know. Gosh his hot.

posted by kourosh on 2007-02-01 20:51:55

I was just informed that the fur is actually not real. So much for that.

Sorry folks, I guess these are just really expensive faux fur chairs!

But now you can feel less guilty if you covet one...

posted by Lisa (editor lisa) on 2007-02-01 23:55:55

So does that mean that it's:

a)Real Teddy Bear fur or b) Faux real bear fur?.

I think the joke is that people thought it was real bear fur - after looking at the pictures - puh-lease people!

posted by Gneeps on 2007-02-03 21:35:49

Not to mention bear fur smells RANK.

posted by Josie on 2007-02-04 08:48:04

Wow -- I have to say that the earlier comment about teddy bear fur really made me think. I've been seeing (for some reason) a lot of bear rugs lately. How great would it be if an artist salvage teddy bears being throw aywa and used their "skins" to stitch together a rug. Could SOMEONE do that, please? Hang that on a wall!

posted by stephen on 2007-02-05 10:55:36

It should be sold to Onassis. Sure, it will fit with his bar stools covered in the skin of a whale's scrotum.

posted by Vincent on 2007-02-06 15:02:55

This gives a whole new spin to a romantic evening spent on a bear skin rug in front of a roaring fire on a cold winter night.
Thumbs up if that's your particular style and providing that you can afford it.

posted by Lance on 2007-02-19 17:40:28