What’s new: Stine Goya x Yrjö Kukkapuro
Yrjö Kukkapuro's Moderno chair gets an update with a striking new color palette.
YOU MIGHT ALREADY be familiar with the story behind the Moderno chair, but it's one worth retelling. What began as a simple request—to design a fitting chair for a shoe store—evolved into something much bigger. Yrjö Kukkapuro didn’t just create one seat but laid the foundation for an entire collection instead, including rocking chairs, office seating, and café chairs as well.
So yes, without that one shoe shop, we might be missing one of the Finnish design’s most timeless icons.
One of Denmark’s most beloved names has been invited to reimagine the classic chair.
The iconic chair gets a fresh splash of color in a collaboration between fashion designer Stine Goya, Studio Kukkapuro, and Lepo Product.
“This collaboration marks a union of disciplines – fashion and furniture – that challenges the boundaries of form,” states designer Stine Goya.
The iconic silhouette of the Moderno chair remains beautifully intact but is now reimagined with a fresh, vibrant twist.
Danish designer Stine Goya, known for her expressive, color-rich fashion, brings her joyful perspective to this special collaboration with Studio Kukkapuro and Lepo Product. The result? A playful yet respectful take on a design classic where bold colors meet timeless form in perfect harmony.
Moderno was one of the very first chair designs in Yrjö Kukkapuro’s long and celebrated career. The series has been produced by the Finnish company Lepo Product since the early 1960s.
The stools in the series have also been treated to a fresh new look.
The colour combinations are utterly charming – with chairs like these, choosing just one feels nearly impossible!
The new Moderno editions explore striking contrasts: pale and dark-stained birch, colorful tubular legs, and richly textured upholstery. Developed in collaboration with Finnish textile house Annala, the striped fabrics feature a technique inspired by embroidery — a nod to traditional craftsmanship with a tactile, expressive finish.
Beyond the bold stripes, the chair is also available in luxurious leather or an unupholstered version, where a fresh pop of colours adds to the timeless shape.
The leather upholstery brings a refined layer of luxury to the Moderno’s minimalist character.
“Moderno’s functional form practically invites designers to make it their own,” says Ida Kukkapuro of Studio Kukkapuro.
Finnish Lepo Product has been producing the Moderno chairs since day one. The collaboration between Yrjö Kukkapuro and Lepo has been remarkably long-lasting, as it has been continuing from the 1960s to the present day.
After Kukkapuro’s passing in 2024, Studio Kukkapuro now carries the torch. Among those continuing his legacy is his granddaughter, Ida Kukkapuro, who works at the studio and shares her grandfather’s deep appreciation for thoughtful, functional design.
“For Moderno, Yrjö created a functional form that invites interior designers and architects to make the chair their own. The design can carry any colour and all kinds of upholstery. There is something beautifully selfless about it”, she says.
The new Moderno chairs bring a bold and playful character to the classic series.
See also:
• All products by Lepo Product >
Text: Susa Pääkkönen Images: Tonya Matyu, Unto Rautio
Published on 27 Jun, 2025
