Image above: Cloud chair by Richard Hutton, using Kvadrat’s Divina fabric for 2014 Milan iSalone.

Bringing together a handful of interior designers and architects, Interstudio is utilising its newly renovated Melbourne showroom to host a series of educational talks throughout 2017. The events will provide the perfect setting to have a nibble and a glass of wine while furthering professional knowledge and meeting likeminded creatives along the way.

The first event was all about fabric and leathers with Kvadrat Maharam and Pelle Leathers.

Kvadrat Maharam gave a comprehensive rundown on the processes and manufacturing of its fabrics across both brands. Interestingly, Australia is actually one of the few regions where the two companies are united as one – Kvadrat being the Danish company founded in 1968, while Maharam was founded in the US by Russian immigrants in 1902.

Attendees of Interstudio’s industry night were taken on a journey of the manufacturing process, including a look at the lanolin-rich wool (90 percent of which comes from Australian and New Zealand sheep). These high levels of lanolin act as a natural ‘scotchguard’ and stain resistant and are not stripped out through the production process.

Both fabric houses – Kvadrat and Maharam – often collaborate on new designs with people from other disciplines, for example Paul Smith, Ray Eames and Ai Weiwei, bringing together fashion designers and artists across its original textile designs.

Pelle Leathers talked through the varying types of leather products.

From the leather front, we heard from Pelle Leather. Pelle Leather is an Australian company that exclusively imports leather from 20 tanneries across Germany and Italy.

Leather can be challenging to specify, but attendees learned about the varying types of leather from aniline to pigmented, including more affordable options. Being a natural material, leather ranges in quality and offers plenty of variation and unique features.

With more events planned throughout the year, Interstudio will keep you on top of latest updates and all the happenings straight from industry professionals.

interstudio.com.au