BUSINESS INSIDER
UPHOLSTERY
NICE THREADS! They’ve been chosen as finalists in the Bristol Life Awards AGAIN – so what makes Bristol Upholstery Collective so special? Founder and managing director Leigh-Anne Treadwell takes us back to the beginning . . .
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ho can predict what might trigger a change in career? Sometimes it can be the most random occurence. “As a fine-art graduate, I was a community artist, delivering art workshops of all disciplines,” says LeighAnne. “A struggling artist also makes a great barmaid, and I became manager of The Old Duke pub. After the smoking ban in 2007, the whole place stank; the seats were covered in cigarette burns, so I thought I’d fix them. I hadn’t a clue what skills were needed, so I went away and learned them – and I loved it. I attended Silai For Skills, a women’s college in Easton, where I became hooked on transforming chairs and the enchanting traditional upholstery process. Then one project lead to another . . .” So how did this lead to you founding Bristol Upholstery Collective? After a few years of cutting fabric and stacking projects in a tiny art studio space without room to swing a hammer, I moved to a shared maker-space in Old Market. BUC aims to enable livelihoods in affordable workshop/retail premises, where upholsterers can share resources, knowledge and a workforce, while playing with their skills, expressing individual style and making ideas a reality. The space houses a talented amalgamation of resident upholsterers, all highly qualified and experienced. We all share a passion for creative upholstery, but have different styles, interests and ideas. We utilise our skills and knowledge to produce high-end, quality upholstery, as individuals or working efficiently as a team if the demands require.
possessions, and so support the concept of New Materialism, promoting investment into products that are high-quality, hand-made locally, encouraging community resilience and making items that can be restored and maintained to last a lifetime. We enjoy our creative, supportive and efficient space, among others who truly appreciate and love the upholstery practice as we creatively ‘play’ with our skills. Is it mostly all about covering chairs and sofas? Since becoming an artisan maker on BBC1 One’s Money For Nothing last year, we’ve had many a random project to transform. I love the challenge! We also enjoy working with interior designers in developing commercial seating, such as Spike Island Café, Bristol Student Union, Society Café, Acorn Café Bath and The Old Duke. Statement chairs are so satisfying to reupholster. We enjoy transforming granny’s old chair, and working on the design with the client to continue the life of a chair that has become a cherished member of the family. For me, it’s all about the traditional upholstery processes. I find it therapeutic, enchanting and worthwhile. I love a good story, and traditional chairs Fabric by Jacky Puzey certainly tell the best tales.
TOGETHER, WE ARE BETTER. WE SHOUT LOUDER AND BRIGHTER
What’s the philosophy of the collective? Rather than being a company with a big boss reaping all the financial rewards, and dishing out demands, all residents are self-employed and very much their own boss. There’s never a dull day, and the freedom for creativity is enhanced by its community of fellow enthusiasts – and not just those of us sharing the same space. The network expands to all the upholsterers we know, some working from spare rooms during school hours, on the kitchen table after work, or in the shed when the kids are in bed. Together, we are better. We shout louder and brighter, and benefit more greatly for the variety of styles and personalities that shine through our work. We are independent, happier and healthier; collectively, our sum is greater than our parts. We feel consumers need meaningful relationships with their
What trends/colours are you loving? I’m a massive fan of turquoise. It appears everywhere in my life and is becoming recognised as my favourite by all who know me. I especially enjoy the emergence of bold printed fabrics – students are playing with creating their own fabrics, screenprinting and digitally printing online. It’s fun and unique. What’s the best thing about the job? Sharing my skills and inspiring others to be creative; bouncing ideas with fellow BUC resident upholsterers, and being able to let playfulness direct my structured practice everyday. Making people’s chair-dreams a reality and seeing their faces light up when they see the final result. Hard work and authenticity pays off. If you weren’t an upholsterer, what would you do for a living? I can’t imagine doing anything else – although I would love to be a pyrotechnic firework display choreographer. . . For more: www.bristolupholsterycollective.com
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 101