Jun 25, 2026 – 5.00amAt first glance, the seating looks classically mid-century modern – slender timber legs of chairs rising to gently curved backrests; a wooden stool standing pert and alert. But on closer inspection its taut ‘leather’ upholstery has an unfamiliar texture. Stippled and swirling, intriguing to the eye and touch, it is, in fact, made from algae.“It may seem surprising but I’m hoping one day it appears ordinary,” says researcher and designer Jessie French, who produces the innovative material in her northern Melbourne workshop under the banner of Other Matter.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Stephen ToddDesign editorStephen Todd writes for The Australian Financial Review's weekly Life&Leisure lift out and AFR Magazine.Fetching latest articles
Material girl: One woman’s quest to eradicate plastics with algae
“It’s just absurd that we’re using plastics derived from fossil fuels that predate most life on earth to make things like chip packets,” says Melbourne-based scientist, artist and entrepreneur Jessie French.
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