Bohemian and adaptable: Two things Charli XCX and the 'Mah Jong' sofa have in common. The London-born popstar has revealed that the 1970s design is at the top of her wishlist.
Charli XCX clearly has an eye for interiors, as she namechecked Hans Hopfer's creation in her latest song Card Declined.
The classic 1970s Mah Jong sofa falls among pleas for a new handbag and a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch.
“Let's go shopping, I'll buy a handbag. I'll buy some perfume, a Mah Jong sofa. A new apartment, Jaeger-LeCoultre. A whole new life, card declined,” the song's chorus reads.
The sofa, which is the brainchild of the German designer, painter, and sculptor, was designed for French furniture company Roche Bobois in 1971.
Fully modular, you can configure the sofa in many ways, which is why it was initially dubbed The Forever Sofa. It was later renamed after the tile-based Chinese game of skill and strategy that it resembles.
The seating has its origins in the 1960s when an earlier iteration was created for furniture firm Mobiliar-Basar.
That collection comprised a sofa, love seat, and ottoman and formed the basis for the Mah Jong form we know and love today.
The idea has been kept fresh by its collaboration with some of fashion's powerhouses, with each putting their own spin on the design classic.
These include the late Japanese designer Kenzo Takada, Italian fashion house Missoni, and legendary Frenchman Jean Paul Gaultier.
Dublin is home to the only Roche Bobois in the country. Jo-Ann Wall, the store's showroom manager, revealed there is a "really nice buzz" in the Sandyford store since the Brat hitmaker acknowledged the sofa.
"The younger members of the team are particularly excited," Jo-Ann laughs.
"The UK office has said shoppers are coming in off the back of the song. We haven't seen that yet, but I suspect that will change this weekend."
The Mah Jong is already a celebrity favourite.
Gigi Hadid shows off her pattern-happy collection at every opportunity while Gwyneth Paltrow's all-white version made headlines in the 2010s.
Despite the Mah Jong's longstanding fame, Jo-Ann explains that "being namechecked by such a current singer feels like a 'we've made it' moment."
Entry-level prices for a single cushion start from around €900, while the full composition will set you back about €25,000.
"Generally, people will mix plainer fabrics with pops of colour. We aren't all as brave as Paltrow! A lot of our clients buy piece by piece and build up over time," Jo-Ann explains. "That's its beauty.”
Despite being a product of the 1970s, Jo-Ann points out that the sofa has never been more functional.
"People are moving around a lot more. The idea of the sofa is that nothing is permanent. You can tailor it to your space."
Jo-Ann went on to tease that another exciting collaboration is launching this autumn, adding that the celebrity name is likely to pique the interest of Generation X - those born between 1965 and 1980.
The hint suggests we can likely rule Charli XCX out!
You can visit the Roche Bobois store in Sandymount, Dublin, or check out their website here.
