Homebuildlife: The BIG Chair Project

Monday, 20 August 2012

The BIG Chair Project; photo David Parry/PA

British chef Jamie Oliver has teamed up with design brand Fritz Hansen to celebrate ten years of his restaurant Fifteen - by auctioning off an army of Arne Jacobsen's famous Ant chairs, each one customised by one of twenty different artists and designers.

Food In Flight by Quentin Blake; photo David Parry/PA

The BIG Chair Project - which launches today - includes pieces by Sir Paul Smith, Christopher Bailey of Burberry, Matthew Williamson, Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, Quentin Blake and Cath Kidston, as well as special pieces customised by Oliver himself.

Hand-Massaged Petal Chair by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen; photo David Parry/PA

Each piece is available to bid for online, with money raised going to Oliver's Better Food Foundation - the charity that aims to empower disenfranchised young people by training them to enter the restaurant industry.

Lumberjack by Superdry; photo David Parry/PA

The auction will close at a special event in October, whre a last-minute addition to the line-up - Tracey Emin's design - will be revealed and auctioned on the night.