EXCLUSIVE: A Glimpse at Helena Christensen’s First Furniture Design for BoConcept

MILAN — Supermodel Helena Christensen has taken a deeper plunge into the world of interiors with her first furniture design. The new Ø lounge chair for upscale Danish brand BoConcept is a mix between a living chair and a sofa.

Inspired by the serene beauty of Denmark’s small islands, Ø was envisaged as a cocoon-like experience.

“I like the symbol ‘Ø,’” Christensen said. “I was born on an island and find them so magical because they’re surrounded by water. Our lounge chair is like a cozy little island in your home.”

The piece was launched with a new, richly textured fabric called Lucca, which she also designed for BoConcept. Lucca is characterized by its soft, brushed surface and is available in beige, white, green, red and camel. The chair is currently being sold on BoConcept’s website, with prices starting at 2,771.60 euros.

In February, Christensen revealed her role as global artistic director or BoConcept and unveiled her first project, the Sweet Art furniture collection, which was designed by fellow Dane, Charlotte Høncke, an industrial designer-turned-furniture and lighting expert.

In her role as global artistic director, Christensen works with designers for all collaborations and releases and has also been tasked with amplifying the visibility of emerging Danish design talent.

Retailer BoConcept, which was founded in 1952 in Denmark, has more than 300 stores spanning 64 countries. The brand works with award-winning designers to create collections of furniture, accessories and lighting for private homes and business spaces.

Under the heading “Live Ekstraordinær” (Live Extraordinarily), BoConcept also offers interior design and customization services for public and private spaces.

In February, BoConcept chief executive officer Mikael Kruse Jensen told WWD that the appointment of Christensen reflected its commitment to advancing Danish philosophy of design on a global scale.

Also at the time, Christensen said that her Danish and Peruvian heritage clearly influence her design process. “Growing up with a Danish father and a Peruvian mother, I find myself drawn to a mix of Nordic coolness and vibrant South American influences,” she enthused. “I love organic shapes. I am using soft fabrics, velour and boucle. You’ll see soft pastels in the collection.”

Christensen’s own photographic prints inspired by flora and fauna have been featured in BoConcept stores and galleries and gave birth to the spring summer 2025 Flora collection of home accessories, which is an extension of her creative universe. The company said that larger artworks, two sculptures and a ceramic vase and rug designed by Christensen were added to the mini collection. The rug was designed in partnership with renowned Copenhagen rugmakers Linie Designs, handcrafted with thousands of individual knots and woven with beige and soft rose tones.

“It started with my close-up photographs of peonies and the amazing natural layered detailing of the petals. From here, we were able to imagine 3D pieces, like the vase and the sculptures,” she said.

This is far from Christensen’s first foray into the creative world. In 1999 she cofounded Nylon magazine, launched the concept store Butik in New York and collaborated with Habitat London on bestselling designs. Today she is part of the lifestyle brand Staerkandchristensen alongside another fellow Dane, Camilla Staerk, who is known for her designs of women’s and men’s ready-to-wear and accessories. Together, the duo produce sculptural home objects and modern artisanal designs and has worked on collaborations with New York-based studio Bower and Danish designer Kasper Salto. They are currently working on a prefab house project with Los Angeles-based, Icelandic architect Gulla Jonsdottir.