Gubi Olsen

designer of furniture and textiles

Since the launch of his first series of furniture, Canvas, in 1970 Gubi Olsen has drawn attention as one of the most innovative talents in Danish furniture design. In his choice of form, style and materials he has tried to test new limitations and find new ways. In 1972 he developed a whole new furniture series, Navy, upholstered in denim. His starting point is the rich Danish tradition within art and crafts and furniture production of which he got a thorough knowledge during his four year period of apprenticeship with Den Permanente Udstilling in Copenhagen.

• Born in 1947
• After he finished his apprenticeship Gubi Olsen decided to go independent and in 1967 together with his wife Lisbeth Olsen he established GUBI A/S.
• They started small scale with design of applied art but soon grew bigger. Gubi Olsen began to test his design ideas on clothing and furniture. The break through as furniture designer came in 1970 with the furniture series Canvas. Since then Gubi Olsen has developed and designed a long line of furniture: Diva, the couch (1982), Coco, line of  sofa and chairs (1982), Grand Piano, sofa (1986), 2CV-series (1986), Bonaparte furniture line (1990), Louis chair and sofa series (1993) and more.
• After a visit in 1980 at the Military Fabric Factory, Gubi Olsen got the idea of designing Holmens fabric. A furniture fabric building on the traditions and methods of production which through centuries has been used in the making of fabrics for uniforms in bright colors such as red and blue. When introduced there were 10 colors of Holmens fabric while today there are about 100 colors to choose from.

DESIGN: Holmens