Copenhagen, August 2025 – What if old becomes new – and new old becomes cool and transparent? That question lies at the heart of a groundbreaking partnership between Design Preowned and SPOOR, unveiled for the first time at Mandatory in Øksnehallen during Copenhagen Fashion Week
“We met at 3daysofdesign and started talking about quality, sustainability and honest materials. Our values clicked immediately. I suggested joining forces to show how new ways of thinking can drive real change,” says Edward Gubi, founder of Design Preowned.
“Working with 2nd quality SPOOR leather – traceable to a single Scandinavian animal and tanned in Denmark – was truly meaningful. A little scar or mark in natural leather isn’t a flaw, it’s a story. Just like a chef respects raw ingredients, I believe in respecting materials in design.”
Each chair has been restored by hand and reupholstered in Design Preowned’s workshop using SPOOR hides that are laser-marked with a unique ID. This allows the material to be traced all the way back to the animal of origin, creating a transparent and verifiable product journey.
Through blockchain integration, the full lifecycle – from farm to tannery to final furniture – is now permanently recorded on-chain, ensuring a tamperproof sustainability profile. This includes documentation of animal welfare, material origin, emissions data, and proof of lifecycle extension. In doing so, Design Preowned and SPOOR have likely created the first second-hand furniture product to meet upcoming EU Product Passport regulations, previously designed only for new goods.
“I love that the new generation is building future business models on respect for design, quality raw materials, and conscious consumption,” says Birgitte Holgaard Langer, Business Development Director at SPOOR.
“Design Preowned is stepping onto the stage with a fresh perspective on how to combine craftsmanship and transparency. I’m proud to join forces at Copenhagen Fashion Week to show what the future of furniture can look like.”
“Why cut down more trees or produce new materials when we already have beautifully made furniture that just needs a second life?” adds Edward Gubi.
“This partnership with SPOOR proves that recrafted doesn’t have to mean second-best – it can lead the way in transparency and climate action.”
