WHY IT’S NOW

A timeless design revived with modern shapes and patterns

It may be 50 years old, but the ‘Mah Jong’ sofa is still as fashionable as it was when it was created back in the 1970s. Not only can it be found in the homes of A-list celebrities – with fans including supermodel Gigi Hadid and rapper Drake – but it could also be spotted at this year’s Oscars ceremony, offering cosy respite for the Hollywood elite. The VIP lounge (below) at the award show’s screening in Union Station, Los Angeles, was designed by the Rockwell Group and featured the ‘Mah Jong’ in a newly launched guise. Placed on a platform with recessed legs, it now appears to be floating lightly above the ground, with ledges serving as side tables and updated upholstery by Roche Bobois’ long-time collaborators Jean Paul Gaultier, Missoni Home and Kenzo Takada.