Persevering allure of Transport for London's seat concepts
In the heart of London, the Transport Museum shop offers a unique selection of products inspired by the city's iconic moquette designs. From furniture to cushions, the shop (ltmuseumshop.co.uk/furniture) showcases a variety of items that pay homage to this traditional textile.
The moquette aesthetic, a pattern traditionally used for transport upholstery in London, is made from 85% wool and 15% nylon. This fabric has a rich history, dating back to the early days of London's trains. The earliest moquette commissioned for the city's trains was an art deco design called 'Lozenge'.
Fast forward to recent times, and the trend cycle has revolved towards the moquette aesthetic. High-end fashion brands like Gucci and Burberry have incorporated moquette-inspired patterns in their latest collections, indicating a growing interest in this classic design.
London Transport, the predecessor of Transport for London (TfL), collaborated with artists and designers over the decades to create distinctive moquette patterns. One such artist is Jean Jullien, who designed the seats for the Elizabeth Line in 2022. Wallace Sewell, another textile design duo, created 'Barman', the Victoria Line moquette, and the Elizabeth Line Moquette.
The trend of the moquette aesthetic may be influenced by the revival of traditional designs. Rita Keegan's collage, The Fabric of Time, was featured on the 40th pocket Tube map cover, drawing on her research into female moquette designers of the past. This revival could potentially lead to increased interest in the history and design of moquette.
TfL itself has been celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, marking a significant milestone in the city's transport history. As part of the celebrations, TfL launched the Fabric of London campaign in February 2025, featuring an immersive digital moquette and animations of diverse Londoners.
It is suggested that the moquette aesthetic could become more popular in the future, potentially replacing the coquette aesthetic that has been prevalent for some time. More artists are expected to create masterpieces using moquette designs in the near future, further cementing its place in London's design scene.
The trend of reinventing imagery from the past is also playing a role in the resurgence of the moquette aesthetic. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how this classic design continues to evolve and influence London's design landscape.
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