Upholstery: a sustainable future

Short Courses at The Cass sponsor panel discussion exploring the issues around upholstery, sustainability and throwaway culture at the Geffrye Museum.

A panel discussion, sponsored by Short Courses at The Cass, will explore the issues around design, upholstery, sustainability and the circular economy as part of the Second Sitters ‘take-over’ at the Geffrye Museum.

The panel for ‘Upholstery: a sustainable future’, held on Thursday 18 May, includes Corinne Webb, Director of home furnishing brand Frame and Cover; Tim Cox, Managing Director of British upholstery manufacturer Coakley and Cox Ltd; designer Ella Doran; and Alex Law from the Kent School of Upholstery. The panel discussion will be hosted by design journalist Katie Treggiden.

‘Upholstery: a sustainable future’ is part of the Second Sitters’ take-over of the Geffrye Museum which explores the evolution and new revolution within the craft of upholstery. Second Sitters was established by Cass alumni, Jude Dennis, and Hannah Stanton as a way of promoting independent UK and international upholsterers through publications, exhibitions, collaborative working and education days.

The coinciding exhibition, 'Second Sitters Upholstery: Evolution to Revolution', will feature work from UK based upholsterers who are redefining the traditional preconceived role of the upholsterer, combining traditional craft skills with contemporary thinking.

Taking the form of a physical timeline the exhibition maps the changes and developments within the craft to include techniques, materials and upholsterers stories. Works will be multi-disciplinary, from furniture, to photography, to film, tackling activism, social commentary, materiality and the throwaway culture.

There will be opportunity either side of the panel discussion to visit the exhibition, speak with the curators and watch upholsterer Armand Verdier demonstrate French upholstery techniques in the demo area.

‘Upholstery: a sustainable future’ will be held on Thursday 18 May, tickets cost £5 and can be reserved via Eventbrite. The panel discussion is part of a series of events accompanying the ‘Second Sitters: Upholstery: Evolution to Revolution’ take-over at the Geffrye Museum of the Home, which runs from Tuesday 2 to Sunday 21 May 2017. 

Image: courtesy of Second Sitters

Event details

Date Thursday 18 May, 2.30-3.30pm
Location Geffrye Museum