FROM MEMORY TO MASTERPIECE

Swedish designer Maria Westerberg has long been a pioneer in upcycling and sustainable design, but it was a single chair — woven from worn-out T-shirts — that propelled her into the global spotlight. Known as the “Queen of ReMake design,” Westerberg blends narrative, memory, and sustainability in a way that resonates across cultures and design disciplines.

Her breakout creation, the T-shirt Chair, originated in 2008 as part of her bachelor’s thesis at Konstfack, Sweden’s prestigious university of arts, crafts and design. Rather than simply reusing old textiles, Westerberg set out to weave meaning — and memories — into the very structure of the furniture. The concept was deeply personal: she sourced T-shirts from friends, family, and classmates, photographing each donor in their garment before incorporating it into the design. Each chair became a tapestry of individual stories, emotions, and histories.

“The T-shirt is such a rich medium,” Westerberg has said. “It tells you about the person who wore it — their music taste, where they’ve traveled, what they believe in. It’s not just fabric; it’s identity.”

This idea struck a chord. The chair won international acclaim, culminating in a sweep of the 2011 Green Furniture Award where Westerberg took home 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize. The chair went into production through Green Furniture Sweden and was installed at Åre Östersund Airport, introducing travelers to Westerberg’s concept of emotionally durable design.

Years later — after a successful stint as a TV personality on JUNK (SVT) where she was both host, did all of the creations, costume and most set design and becoming a mother of two — Westerberg reclaimed the rights to her iconic design. The T-shirt Chair was reborn in 2019 with new energy, featuring in international exhibitions and publications. One special exhibition was among other famous international designers Such as Patricia Urquiola etc. at Möbeldesignmuseet in the exhibition “Female Traces” where the theme was Female designers. A turning point came in 2022 when renowned Danish architect Bjarke Ingels commissioned two chairs for his private home. That high-profile validation sparked the development of a new and improved model.

At Stockholm Furniture Fair 2023, Westerberg unveiled the T-shirt Chair – Rag Edition 2.0. This version introduces enhanced comfort through padding, a stronger and stackable metal frame, and customizable colors made from surplus textiles sourced from the industry. Each chair is now numbered, reinforcing its uniqueness and collectibility.

“The Rag Edition 2.0 is more than just an update — it’s a reflection of where I am as a designer today,” Westerberg noted during an appearance on TV4 Morning News in April 2023. “It’s about honoring the past, but also designing for the future.” Currently Maria has combined her design project with curating and organizing big Art exhibitions as a Gallery owner with her Pop up concept Made by Gallery where she exhibits Swedish and International contemporary art in large central location spaces.

Westerberg’s journey — from student thesis to award-winning designer to creative entrepreneur — showcases the power of storytelling through objects. In an age of mass production, her T-shirt Chair stands as a timeless symbol of how sustainable design can be intimate, human, and profoundly impactful. “It’s not just about recycling,” Westerberg notes. “It’s about transforming material with emotional depth into something entirely new — something that invites both conversation and connection.”

As one of Stockholm’s top design innovators, Maria Westerberg exemplifies the power of merging sustainability, personal storytelling, and high design. Through the T-shirt Chair and beyond, she’s not only reshaping interiors —she’s reimagining how we relate to the objects we live with every day.

“The creative adult is the child who survived”
– Maria Westerberg –