This International Women’s Day, we turn our attention to the skilled hands behind our furniture—the women in our sewing room who bring each piece to life with precision and care. Their craftsmanship ensures that every stitch, seam, and detail reflects the highest quality, shaping the furniture collections we proudly share with our community.
The Makers Behind the Craft
At our Bayswater factory, our sewing room is home to a small but dedicated team of women who have honed their skills over years of experience. Some have been with us for over a decade, refining their techniques and embracing the artistry of furniture making. Each stitch tells a story of patience, expertise, and passion.
Recently we caught up with these lovely women, Kim Ly, Kim Pen, Anne Lo & Luisa Perez for a little insight into their work and love of the craft.
Kim Ly has been part of our team since 2009 and has worked on the same sewing machine for 10 years. She has a love for light grey tones and simple, elegant designs, with the Johanna and Otway sofas among her favourites. Kim’s passion for sewing is deeply personal, driven by the memory of her late husband, who dedicated many years to the furniture industry. Her refined skillset, precision, and attention to detail reflect her commitment, making each piece she works on a testament to her experience and dedication.
You can see how much pride Kim Ly takes in her work—not just in the quality of her sewing, but in the way she surrounds herself with imagery that inspires her. Her deep understanding of the craft makes her work not only impeccable but also deeply personal. The way she speaks about her work ignites a genuine love for the artistry.
Kim Pen, who has been with us for seven years, starts her day at 5am, finding comfort in the quiet focus of her work. She enjoys working with leather and prefers deep, natural tones like navy and green, avoiding bright colours. She loves the people she works with and is a master at her craft. Being a lot more camera shy, she allowed us into her workspace which was full of history and purpose.
Every tool, thread, and fabric roll has its place, well-worn workstations tell the story of years of dedication, with sewing machines humming in rhythm and shelves full of materials.
The workspace feels lived-in and functional, with Kim's yellow bag reflecting the colours of the cotton spools' she works with every day. This unintentional connection to the space mirrors the skill and dedication of the women who bring each piece to life.
While not present on the day of the photoshoot, Anne Lo and Luisa Perez are equally integral members of the team.
Anne Lo has been with Cosh since 2016, initially working on a casual basis during busy periods before becoming a full-time employee three and a half years ago. She values the camaraderie in the sewing room and finds motivation in knowing that a well-sewn product brings happiness to customers. Her favourite pieces to sew include the Senja and Natal Alu collections.
Luisa Perez joined Cosh just over a year ago, bringing experience from the clothing industry into furniture making. She enjoys the friendly atmosphere of the sewing room and has learned a great deal since starting. While she’s still exploring different models, she finds joy in sewing most of the designs that come through the workshop and continues to hone her craft.
At Cosh our commitment to hand-sewn detailing remains unchanged. From reviewing sketches and patterns to carefully assembling each component, these women ensure that every design is brought to life with accuracy and care. Their contributions are not just technical but artistic, shaping the very identity of our collections.
This International Women’s Day, we recognise the invaluable role of these women—their dedication, skill, and craftsmanship form the foundation of what we do. Through their handcrafted work, our furniture becomes more than just pieces for a home; it becomes a story of dedication, experience, and artistry. To the women in our sewing room, and all of the women at Cosh Living, today we celebrate you.