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| Leopa Designs |
We visit two of Australia's rising female furniture designers, who use the influence of the 1930s in their up-to-date designs.
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Pia Katsoolis and Cathy Dixon are two up-and-coming furniture designers who formed their own company, Leopa, at the end of 1996. The name Leopa comes from leopard, as their first designs used a lot of fake fur.The pieces they design are modern and funky, yet at the same time comfortable and functional. The pieces of furniture often have no back, so that they can be featured in different positions in a room and viewed from different angles.
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Both partners graduated in architecture from Sydney University. Pia also travelled to New York to study interior and furniture design at Parsons School of Design. Cathy left Australia for two years to travel and returned to work in construction management.
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Pia takes care of the design concepts and loose sketches, while Cathy looks after the practical side, such as technical drawings. Both supervise the manufacturing side of the business, which is contracted out.
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Their design philosophy is to create furniture for the present and for the future, enduring in both quality and style.The 1930s influence can be seen in the Stardust Chaise, incorporating a swivel side table, and the Twiggy Stand, which looks equally as good in an entrance hall as in a bathroom.
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All pieces use stainless steel in some form, a medium chosen for its purity and highly reflective, tactile surfaces. The use of luxurious fabrics (velvets and fake furs) set against cold stainless steel is visually striking.
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Leopa's first furniture range includes:Alibi Sofa: An oval-shaped sofa, $2600.Twiggy Stand: Mirror stand with table, used for foyer or bathroom, $480.Stardust Chaise: Oval zebra fur and steel construction with swivel tray, $2100.Catwalk Cabinet: Stainless steel wardrobe with mirror or glass portholes, $3500.Boop Chair: Curved stainless steel section frame with circular seat, $850.Love Me or Leave Me Bed: Quilted stainless steel bedhead with a '50s look, $900.Darling Ottoman: Circular or square, in stainless steel, $450.Starlet Mirror: Circular stainless steel mirror, $130.Moon River Coffee Table: Elegant stainless steel with glass table top, $860.
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Clients tend to be interior designers, architects and people looking for fun, contemporary furniture. Items are also sold to shops and for office foyers, etc.For their next range, the designers will combine timber with stainless steel. They plan to expand to Melbourne next, eventually reaching New York.
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More Info
Contact:
Leopa, 340 Crown Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010, ph: 0412 310 006 or 014 686 599.
E-mail: leopa@ozemail.com.au.
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