Idontgiveaseat and the Art of Moquette

If you’re chronically online like us, you’re bound to stumble across weird yet fascinating accounts on the internet dedicated to a variety of random yet cool, very specific stuff. That’s the case for idontgiveaseat at Instagram, an account devoted to collecting and showcasing all types of kitschy, out-of-the-box, retro prints used on public transportations. If you ever took the bus, you’ll surely recognize one or two of the prints that can be seen on its feed. If you scroll down a bit, you can see that a common visual language is used in all of them, almost as if it’s a design branch of its own. The account has over 120K followers on the platforms, over 730 posts and it’s open for receiving submissions – not bad for such a niche initiative. Are you ready to send yours? Let’s take a closer look!

Julien Potart and the Creation of Idontgiveaseat

The story of idontgiveaseat begins in 2015 when Parisian filmmaker Julien Potart opened the Instagram account to document and share photos of the fabrics covering seats on public transport. Julien’s fascination with these often-overlooked patterns led him to start photographing every unique design he encountered during his travels.

“All of you have traveled by bus, coach, train, or plane and you will surely have been enchanted by the patterns of the typical velvet-like upholstery used to cover the seats,” says Julien. Flying over the amount of dust and bacteria that this fabric accumulates, Julien began to photograph everyone he saw. “I wanted to create a visual catalog of these designs, which are often so kitschy and outlandish that they’re almost artistic.”

Over time, idontgiveaseat intrigued more and more people, collecting followers who not only appreciated the shots but also began contributing to the gallery by sending photos from all over the world. “It’s fascinating to see the similarities and differences in transport seat designs across different countries,” Julien notes. “For instance, the patterns of French transport seats are similar to those in Australia, while they’re completely different from those in Germany.”

The account now boasts over 120K followers, showcasing a wide array of moquette designs that might otherwise go unnoticed. Julien’s passion project has turned into a digital compendium, highlighting the often-overlooked artistry of public transport fabrics and sparking curiosity and appreciation for the designs that sit right under our bums.

We dive deep into the world of Moquette Design on the London Underground

Have you ever thought about the design of the seats you sit on in London’s buses and Tube carriages? The fabric that lines these seats, known as moquette (French for “carpet”), is intricately woven and highly durable. Introduced to London at the turn of the 20th century, this heavy fabric adds an extra layer of resilience with its dense tufts. Often featuring geometric patterns, moquette designs reflect various trends that come and go over time.

A Journey Through Nostalgia

Beyond design, the seats of London’s transport hold significant meaning. For many long-term residents, seeing an old design can evoke almost-forgotten memories. For example, the D78-Stock moquette, used on the old Routemaster buses and the District line in the 1980s, featured a design with alternating bricks of burnt orange, black, brown, and murky olive green, stirring nostalgia for many.

The Evolution of Moquette

Since its introduction over a century ago, moquette has seen numerous styles, much like fashion trends above ground. In the Victorian era, large floral patterns or sycamore leaves were common. By the 1920s, designers were tasked with creating more intricate patterns with tighter repeats for durability, as workers boarding public transport were often covered in debris.

The 1930s marked a golden age for London transport design under CEO Frank Pick, who transformed the public face of the network. Pick introduced the iconic Underground roundel, commissioned the now-famous Johnston typeface, and enlisted leading designers and architects to contribute to the network’s design.

The Design Legacy of Frank Pick

Frank Pick’s vision to democratize design extended from public transport seats to the city’s walls, fostering a visual system of high design. Designers like Paul Nash, Enid Marx, and Marianne Dorn were among those invited to create moquette designs during this era.

Pick favored red and green, believing these colors symbolized the town and countryside, respectively. He thought green was soothing because it reminded people of the countryside and envisioned the tubes as a connection between urban and rural areas.

Shifts in Moquette Design

As the 20th century progressed with social and political changes, the focus on design for London’s Underground waned. Designers were no longer commissioned, leading to a disconnect with the intricate work behind each design. Wallace Sewell, the primary designer of most of London’s current moquettes, is relatively unknown for its public-facing work.

In the 1990s, moquette design lost some of its coherence and no longer matched the interior color schemes as effectively as previous designs.

Contemporary Moquette

One of the modern moquettes still in use is Barman, designed by Emma Sewell. Featuring the London skyline with St. Paul’s and Big Ben, this design draws inspiration from Russian constructivism. Although often overlooked, these designs hold a surprising amount of thought and creativity.

Moquette teaches us to appreciate the everyday designs we often take for granted. As Andrew puts it: “If you live in London and you travel on the Tube every day, you should pay attention to it, you should know about it. Otherwise, you’re wasting time.”

Perhaps the next CEO will revive the design legacy by commissioning contemporary artists like Grayson Perry or Tracey Emin to create new moquettes, reflecting the current state of affairs. Moquette’s ubiquitous presence holds the potential to inspire and empower communities through its design, right under our bums.

By blending the stories of London’s moquette history with the contemporary cataloging efforts of Julien Potart’s idontgiveaseat, we gain a deeper appreciation for the visual and historical significance of these fabric designs. Whether it’s the nostalgic patterns of the past or the quirky prints captured today, moquette continues to weave its way into the fabric of our daily lives, both literally and figuratively.

Send yours to: idontgiveaseat@gmail.com