Transport design consultancy PriestmanGoode has partnered with recycled material specialist Gen Phoenix to showcase their latest product, Essence Nappa, at Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) 2025 in Hamburg, Germany.
Working with both Gen Phoenix – formerly ELeather – and aircraft seating manufacturer Geven, PriestmanGoode’s colour, material and finish (CMF) team has designed a unique application of Essence Nappa for the Geven Comoda seat.
Essence Nappa was developed by Gen Phoenix, in collaboration with leather experts and luxury leather goods brands, to offer both luxury and sustainability for aircraft seating.
The seat’s Oxblood and Coral upholstery reflects Gen Phoenix’s aesthetic, while a custom stitching pattern – inspired by the company’s logo – adds a textural dimension. It incorporates continuous and satin stitching, which the companies said are rarely seen in aviation due to strict durability requirements.
“Beyond aesthetics, this collaboration is a testament to PriestmanGoode’s expertise in translating 2D brand elements into immersive, three-dimensional experiences,” said Maria Kafel-Bentkowska, associate director of colour, material and finish at PriestmanGoode. “By integrating Essence Nappa into an ergonomically designed seat, the project redefines the role of material innovation in shaping the future of aircraft interiors – where sustainability meets passenger comfort.”
“Partnering with a prestigious aviation interiors designer like PriestmanGoode has allowed us to craft a sophisticated design that seamlessly achieves a sense of luxury with no compromise on sustainability,” said Lisa Conway, chief revenue officer for Gen Phoenix. “Circularity is embedded from the outset as Essence Nappa is both made of waste leather and can be returned to us to become a seat cover again. Seats are a part of the inflight experience that passengers engage with physically, and airlines can share the story of the materials used with passengers to take credit today for the steps they’re taking to manage the natural resources tied to cabin interiors.”
