The force is with Kenneth Cobonpue. The Filipino designer announced the U.S. launch of a line of furniture and home accessories inspired by the Star Wars films, the landmark franchise that licenses its name to almost anything—from lunch boxes, to PEZ dispensers, to children’s underwear. In Cobonpue’s case, this collection is less for kids, and more so for adults who, like himself, grew up loving the world that director George Lucas created.
“We wanted to incorporate the essence of each Star Wars character into the designs, while staying true to our aesthetic and process of creating by hand,” Cobonpue said in a statement. “We reimagined the Star Wars universe through the lens of the Filipino craftsmen and creatives. Finding the balance was a bit of a challenge, but it was also a lot of fun.”
Each piece in the line takes after some of the franchise’s most recognizable characters and spacecrafts—like the Vader Easy Armchair, Sidious Easy Armchair, Imperial Wings Easy Armchair, Chewie Rocking Stool, and Little Jedi Hanging Lamp. They all utilize traditional craft techniques—meticulous stitching and hand-weaving—that elevate these time-honored figures, bringing more of a design element to Star Wars merchandise, which is often intended for mass appeal.
Cobonpue’s Star Wars collection debuted in his native Philippines and surrounding Asian territories last year and is now returning home to entice fans before the new installment of the franchise hits theaters this December.
The Star Wars collection by Kenneth Cobonpue retails from $655 to $4,320, and is available at select boutiques in the U.S.
