It’s been more than 50 years since Roche Bobois rolled out its now-famous Mah Jong sofa, and a handful of renowned designers have upholstered its modular cushions with their own fabrics since. One long-time collaborator is Jean-Paul Gaultier, who first brought his sensibility to Mah Jong in 2010, incorporating nods to his fashion house in its design—think bold graphics, sailor stripes, and a black-and-white color palette. Now, fashion’s enfant terrible returns to the ever-versatile seating, this time for a bold new outdoor edition that debuts just in time for the warmer months.
Gaultier’s edition marks the second outdoor Mah Jong—the first was an iteration by Missoni Home that launched in 2019— but the two versions couldn’t look more different: While Missoni’s take features light blues and deep purples, Gaultier’s is awash in bold green and yellow patterns. “Very, very few outdoor furniture collections have these strong, powerful, earthy colorways,” says Jean-Guy Testut, Roche Bobois’s director of seating. “It’s quite rare.”
Gaultier’s flamboyant fabrics draw inspiration from different parts of the world. China Town features the titular country’s flora and fauna set against a bright yellow backdrop; Flower Power’s pops of color emulate Madagascar’s vibrant ecosystem; and Les Marquises is a forest of emerald and olive palm trees reminiscent of tropical locales. The fourth textile, Mesaï, is perhaps the most dynamic, pairing Japanese bonsai trees with an abstract camouflage print.
Of course, Mah Jong’s appeal has always lied in its freedom of choice, essentially allowing the user to become the designer. You can easily pair vibrant Madagascar cushions with solid ones or the rest of Gaultier’s look-at-me patterns—whatever suits the vibe of the evening. Ultimately, it’s a standout no matter the arrangement. “We made a unique piece,” says Testut. “And thanks to Jean-Paul for that!”