Moquette Sample

 This moquette pattern was designed by Marianne Straub in the late 1960s/early 70s, and was “originally intended for use on the Victoria line, but was not ready in time” (ltmuseum.co.uk).  The design was commissioned by Misha Black and manufactured by John Holdsworth and Co. Limited and Firths Furnishings Limited. This design was used, however, in the early 1970s and 80s on the Northern and Bakerloo lines and London Transport buses. A photo of the design in use is included (ltmuseum.co.uk). 

Marianne Straub was born in Switzerland in 1909, and “was taught by ex-Bauhaus weaver Heinz Otto Hurliman at the Zurich Kuntsgewerbeschule. ” She came to Britain in 1932 and learned powerloom weaving at Bradford Technical College, and went on to design mass-produced textiles (ltmuseum.co.uk). 

Moquette is the name for the durable seating upholstery made of wool and nylon that is used on public transport. The word “moquette” comes from the French word for “carpet”. There were three important considerations in the design of moquette. The first had to do with material, in that it needed to be very durable and not worn down easily. The second is that the colors and pattern of the design needed to hide dirt and wear and tear (ltmuseum.co.uk). The third is that the design must not cause “dazzle”, a dizzying/nauseating effect that patterns can have in a context of movement and varying light conditions (bloomberg.com). 

Moquettes play an important role in the identity and feeling/tone of public transport. Their designs carry nostalgia for many, and have evolved over time into what we see today, leaving a trail of patterns and colors and styles that were popular over the past hundred years.