Local couple Jo Kotas and Tim Brown run ‘Used Creative’ which allows creatives to secure used theatre props and materials for a fraction of the price they otherwise would have to pay, writes Antonia Vlad
Walthamstow-based couple Jo Kotas and Tin Brown established Used Creative last year, which described by Jo as the ‘Vinted of the creative industry’, gives a second life to theatre and film set props.
The former art directors and sustainability champions started their careers at Sky, where Jo worked in the art department and Tin in theatre.
They were aware of the waste that was becoming normalised in the industry, having seen first-hand what happened when a job was finished. Most of the props, including furniture and installations, went straight to landfill or were locked away in storage, rarely to be used again.
Recognising a gap in the market, the couple saw an opportunity to bring the success of fashion resale to the creative props industry. Their idea was simple: “How do we help people get rid of their props in a cool way?”
Jo said: “Used Creative is a very different experience because each item is unique and personal.”
Used Creative works by connecting businesses with surplus creative materials and props to buyers looking to reuse them, helping to extend the life of these items and reduce waste across the industry. The couple described their resale prices as a “bargain” compared with the actual cost of making the sets. The props can be browsed online, and visits to their showroom in Finchley can be arranged by appointment.
Jo and Tin have rescued many interesting items, including a play castle the size of an actual house, made by a Belgian billionaire, and a Christmas tree made from fairground lights and remodelled materials by Stella McCartney.
Throughout the process, the couple received constant encouragement and support from industry friends, as well as from Patrick Shannon, the industrial and growth areas lead for Waltham Forest.
Looking ahead, Jo and Tin hope to secure funding to expand Used Creative across the UK, Europe and North America, as well as explore opportunities to work with ReStage.
They also envision bringing the platform into physical spaces, with small boutiques selling carefully selected creative pieces. Closer to home, the pair are keen to collaborate with local businesses in Walthamstow, including the area’s independent shops, to explore opportunities to resell their products.
Ultimately, Used Creative aims to change how the creative industries view the life cycle of the objects they produce and purchase, putting the principles of reuse and recycling at the forefront.
Find out more about Used Creative here
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