Celebrating its commitment to culture, craftsmanship, and creativity, MCM announces a collaboration with British-Nigerian designer Yinka Ilori. Inspired by a shared vision of community, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship, the partnership will curate cultural experiences that redefine the intersection of fashion and art through emotion and perspective.
Courtesy of MCM
Celebrated for repurposing furniture into captivating works of art, his colorful and delicate designs transform the everyday into the extraordinary, expressing cultural heritage and identity, and captivating viewers with stories of the past and visions of the future. The MCM x YinkaIlori exhibition will debut at the flagship MCM HAUS in Seoul, South Korea, showcasing 20 chairs themed around "Empathy and Coexistence," capturing the essence of diversity and inclusion.
Yinka Ilori/Courtesy of MCM
The chair collection, specially curated for the exhibition, showcases 10 chairs that have been reborn under the banner of the MCM Upcycling Project. The chairs, originally destined for disposal, have been repurposed and incorporate MCM fabric remnants into the designs, reflecting the brand's commitment to eco-conscious creativity. Featuring geometric designs and vibrant patterns, these one-of-a-kind pieces reinterpret everyday furniture through playful silhouettes and structures, telling unique stories of how it's transformed into works of art.
"Dulwich Pavilion 2019: The Colour Palace" / Courtesy of MCM
Faithful to Yinka Irori's distinctive style, this collaboration explores diverse motifs of color, architecture, and space, inviting viewers to explore new perspectives.
-Inka Irori
Through this unprecedented exhibition, Irori sends a powerful message: Though sometimes invisible, beauty is heightened within us all, reminding visitors of the goodness within each of us.
Courtesy of MCM
- Sabine Bruner, President, MCM Global AG
This collaboration celebrates MCM's innovative heritage and commitment to the arts, transforming heritage into an experience, an experience that inspires, through an installation that immerses visitors in Ilori's rich storytelling.
Courtesy of MCM
By repurposing materials and reinventing them, the collection emphasizes the importance of environmental awareness and responsible consumption. The collection is a forum for conversations where fashion, art, and heritage intersect to inspire stories about identity and self-expression.
Courtesy of MCM
The second part of the exhibition, titled "Looking At Me," features ten chairs. Six of the chairs date back to the early part of Ilori's career and reflect Ilori's memories of growing up British-Nigerian in London, exploring heritage, culture and family. Four new chairs (from a new collection titled "All of Us") represent Ilori's coming of age as an artist, where he is bolder, more forthright and expressive.
Courtesy of MCM
The works will be on display on the 1st and 3rd floors of the flagship MCM HAUS in Seoul, South Korea until October 22nd, and will be on sale during Frieze Seoul Art Fair and Seoul Art Week. All artworks will be available for purchase at MCM HAUS and in select stores from October 22nd onwards.
Courtesy of MCM
COLLECTION NOTES - ‘There is Good in All of Us’
1: Transparency / ’Akoyawo’
Upholstered in pink and grey MCM fabric, this chair symbolizes the migration experience faced by Ilori's mother. A cut in the centre exposes the rough wood beneath the resin-covered interior, reflecting the racism and adversity his parents faced when they first came to London.
Courtesy of MCM
2: Paint Me A Picture / ‘Ya Mi Awonan Kan’
Deeply influenced by the stories of her homeland in Nigeria told to her by her parents. Over the years, Ilori has brought these stories together to create a visual re-creation of her ancestral homeland. This work pays homage to Ilori's childhood memories and the process of reconstructing a visual image of Nigeria from these stories.
Courtesy of MCM
3: Big Shoes To Fill / ‘Bata Nla Lati Kun’
Swathed in cognac-colored MCM fabric, this chair explores ancestral trust, particularly the deep and weighty expectations placed on the men in a family. The chair represents the roles of grandparents, siblings, and cousins, making it a powerful symbol of the artist's enduring journey to carry on the family name.
Courtesy of MCM
4: Pint of Reflection / ‘Ojjami Ti Itana’
Exploring the lives of Ilori's parents and beyond, this piece symbolizes self-discovery, introspection and a sense of pride in her cultural heritage and Black Britishness. Its unique form, incorporating a metaphorical mirror and allowing the chair to reflect itself, invites viewers to reflect on their own stories.
Courtesy of MCM
5: My Son Doesn't Belong Here / ’Omo Mi Ko Wa Nibi’
The back of this chair has been deliberately moved forward in the seat, reflecting a childhood moment when his father asserted his son's potential. The piece serves as a moving reminder of the love, confidence, and aspirations of parents who can shape their children's futures.
Courtesy of MCM
6: Transparency Part 2 / ’Akoyawo, Part 2’
This chair is inspired by my father and pays homage to my parents, who immigrated to London. With a rugged, raw cut-out center encased in resin, the chair evokes beauty and combativeness, paying homage to their complex experiences.
Courtesy of MCM
7: You Are Beautiful / ‘Olewa’
Elegant lips reminiscent of Dali's painting of Mae West's face, but inspired by a mother's words, are a reminder that when a child is nurtured with love and encouragement, they will flourish in beauty, talent, and confidence.
Courtesy of MCM
8: Big Shoes To Fill, Part 2 / ‘Bata Nla Lati Kun, Part 2’
This gold fabric chair represents the older brother. He is the eldest in the family and therefore carries great expectations. This piece emphasizes the role model he is expected to be and the responsibilities he will bear in the future.
Courtesy of MCM
9: Bright Shining Star / Iraw Didan’
Inspired by the idea of a "bright shining star," this chair embodies my faith and determination. Its shape evokes the grandeur of a cathedral, and the light within symbolizes the belief parents have in our children that they will shine throughout the world wherever they go.
Courtesy of MCM
10: We are Magic / ‘Iban Ni Wa’
Inspired by the struggles and triumphs of recent years, this telescope-inspired chair is a powerful expression of the strength and allure inherent in Black culture.
Courtesy of MCM
Modern Creation München (MCM)
MCM is a luxury lifestyle brand founded in Munich, Germany in 1976. Since then, it has pursued product development using cutting-edge technology while carrying on Germany's cultural history and traditions. To this day, it has maintained its unique style of thinking outside the box and reinterpreting classic designs, drawing inspiration from music, art, travel, technology, and more. MCM attracts the global nomad generation living in the 21st century, including dreamers, creators, and digital natives. Its millennial-minded audience is genderless, ageless, energetic and unconstrained by rules and borders. MCM currently operates an online store and 650 stores in over 40 countries around the world, including Munich, Berlin, Zurich, London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo and the Middle East.
Courtesy of MCMCelebrated for repurposing furniture into captivating works of art, his colorful and delicate designs transform the everyday into the extraordinary, expressing cultural heritage and identity, and captivating viewers with stories of the past and visions of the future. The MCM x YinkaIlori exhibition will debut at the flagship MCM HAUS in Seoul, South Korea, showcasing 20 chairs themed around "Empathy and Coexistence," capturing the essence of diversity and inclusion.
Yinka Ilori/Courtesy of MCMThe chair collection, specially curated for the exhibition, showcases 10 chairs that have been reborn under the banner of the MCM Upcycling Project. The chairs, originally destined for disposal, have been repurposed and incorporate MCM fabric remnants into the designs, reflecting the brand's commitment to eco-conscious creativity. Featuring geometric designs and vibrant patterns, these one-of-a-kind pieces reinterpret everyday furniture through playful silhouettes and structures, telling unique stories of how it's transformed into works of art.
"Dulwich Pavilion 2019: The Colour Palace" / Courtesy of MCMFaithful to Yinka Irori's distinctive style, this collaboration explores diverse motifs of color, architecture, and space, inviting viewers to explore new perspectives.
A kaleidoscope complements each artwork, transporting visitors into a world of color and pattern, symbolizing the constant cycle of growth, balance, and rebirth—a quest for beauty.
-Inka Irori
Through this unprecedented exhibition, Irori sends a powerful message: Though sometimes invisible, beauty is heightened within us all, reminding visitors of the goodness within each of us.
Courtesy of MCMOur collaboration with Inka Irori is more than just an art exhibition; it is a remarkable exhibition that speaks to shared stories, values, and the power to change perspectives.
- Sabine Bruner, President, MCM Global AG
This collaboration celebrates MCM's innovative heritage and commitment to the arts, transforming heritage into an experience, an experience that inspires, through an installation that immerses visitors in Ilori's rich storytelling.
Courtesy of MCMBy repurposing materials and reinventing them, the collection emphasizes the importance of environmental awareness and responsible consumption. The collection is a forum for conversations where fashion, art, and heritage intersect to inspire stories about identity and self-expression.
Courtesy of MCMThe second part of the exhibition, titled "Looking At Me," features ten chairs. Six of the chairs date back to the early part of Ilori's career and reflect Ilori's memories of growing up British-Nigerian in London, exploring heritage, culture and family. Four new chairs (from a new collection titled "All of Us") represent Ilori's coming of age as an artist, where he is bolder, more forthright and expressive.
Courtesy of MCMThe works will be on display on the 1st and 3rd floors of the flagship MCM HAUS in Seoul, South Korea until October 22nd, and will be on sale during Frieze Seoul Art Fair and Seoul Art Week. All artworks will be available for purchase at MCM HAUS and in select stores from October 22nd onwards.
Courtesy of MCMCOLLECTION NOTES - ‘There is Good in All of Us’
1: Transparency / ’Akoyawo’
Upholstered in pink and grey MCM fabric, this chair symbolizes the migration experience faced by Ilori's mother. A cut in the centre exposes the rough wood beneath the resin-covered interior, reflecting the racism and adversity his parents faced when they first came to London.
Courtesy of MCM2: Paint Me A Picture / ‘Ya Mi Awonan Kan’
Deeply influenced by the stories of her homeland in Nigeria told to her by her parents. Over the years, Ilori has brought these stories together to create a visual re-creation of her ancestral homeland. This work pays homage to Ilori's childhood memories and the process of reconstructing a visual image of Nigeria from these stories.
Courtesy of MCM3: Big Shoes To Fill / ‘Bata Nla Lati Kun’
Swathed in cognac-colored MCM fabric, this chair explores ancestral trust, particularly the deep and weighty expectations placed on the men in a family. The chair represents the roles of grandparents, siblings, and cousins, making it a powerful symbol of the artist's enduring journey to carry on the family name.
Courtesy of MCM4: Pint of Reflection / ‘Ojjami Ti Itana’
Exploring the lives of Ilori's parents and beyond, this piece symbolizes self-discovery, introspection and a sense of pride in her cultural heritage and Black Britishness. Its unique form, incorporating a metaphorical mirror and allowing the chair to reflect itself, invites viewers to reflect on their own stories.
Courtesy of MCM5: My Son Doesn't Belong Here / ’Omo Mi Ko Wa Nibi’
The back of this chair has been deliberately moved forward in the seat, reflecting a childhood moment when his father asserted his son's potential. The piece serves as a moving reminder of the love, confidence, and aspirations of parents who can shape their children's futures.
Courtesy of MCM6: Transparency Part 2 / ’Akoyawo, Part 2’
This chair is inspired by my father and pays homage to my parents, who immigrated to London. With a rugged, raw cut-out center encased in resin, the chair evokes beauty and combativeness, paying homage to their complex experiences.
Courtesy of MCM7: You Are Beautiful / ‘Olewa’
Elegant lips reminiscent of Dali's painting of Mae West's face, but inspired by a mother's words, are a reminder that when a child is nurtured with love and encouragement, they will flourish in beauty, talent, and confidence.
Courtesy of MCM8: Big Shoes To Fill, Part 2 / ‘Bata Nla Lati Kun, Part 2’
This gold fabric chair represents the older brother. He is the eldest in the family and therefore carries great expectations. This piece emphasizes the role model he is expected to be and the responsibilities he will bear in the future.
Courtesy of MCM9: Bright Shining Star / Iraw Didan’
Inspired by the idea of a "bright shining star," this chair embodies my faith and determination. Its shape evokes the grandeur of a cathedral, and the light within symbolizes the belief parents have in our children that they will shine throughout the world wherever they go.
Courtesy of MCM10: We are Magic / ‘Iban Ni Wa’
Inspired by the struggles and triumphs of recent years, this telescope-inspired chair is a powerful expression of the strength and allure inherent in Black culture.
Courtesy of MCMModern Creation München (MCM)
MCM is a luxury lifestyle brand founded in Munich, Germany in 1976. Since then, it has pursued product development using cutting-edge technology while carrying on Germany's cultural history and traditions. To this day, it has maintained its unique style of thinking outside the box and reinterpreting classic designs, drawing inspiration from music, art, travel, technology, and more. MCM attracts the global nomad generation living in the 21st century, including dreamers, creators, and digital natives. Its millennial-minded audience is genderless, ageless, energetic and unconstrained by rules and borders. MCM currently operates an online store and 650 stores in over 40 countries around the world, including Munich, Berlin, Zurich, London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo and the Middle East.
