Are these bags made from train seats the ultimate Aussie souvenir?

Would you carry a piece of transit history?

Ever wondered about the distinctive patterns on the seats of trains and buses? These are called moquettes, a type of upholstery that’s normally brightly coloured and intricately designed (to conveniently disguise signs of wear and discourage graffiti on public transport). We may take them for granted, but the designs vary from city to city and have changed over the decades, making each pattern a time capsule of a time and place.

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But what if you could transform these distinctive patterns into wearable designs? Meet Sydney-based designer Kate Shanahan, whose brand, Designed by Kate, creates quirky bags and accessories from recycled and deadstock train moquettes.

“People love the idea of being able to keep a piece of transit history,” says Kate. “The colour and pattern can take people back to a journey on holiday, or school years. A customer once said to me that seeing [the patterns] out of context, you get to value the design in the fabric, which you don’t really do when it’s on a seat”.

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Kate started working with public transport moquettes when she “stumbled across some London Underground moquettes at Reverse Garbage”. Kate loved the pattern and texture, and the fabric was durable and perfect for making bags. Pretty soon, Kate started exploring moquettes, finding designs from all over the globe.

The Mind the Gap collection features patterns that will be familiar to most Aussies, made from moquettes that have appeared on buses and trains across Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and regional Victoria through a variety of eras. The collection, which ranges from tote bags to pencil cases and coin purses, lets you carry a piece of transit history wherever you go.

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The Mind the Gap collection also invokes Art Deco London with moquette patterns used on trains from the 30s and 50s, as well as funky retro prints used on Los Angeles Transit. For those who love nostalgia, these bags are the perfect souvenir, capturing something uniquely tied to a place and time.