Meet the YFM exhibitors – Eva Pinkney

The Young Furniture Makers exhibition, our annual showcase of emerging design talent, returns to the City of London on Wednesday 12 October for one day only.

Around 100 designs will be on show with industry being invited to attend and meet up-and-coming designer-makers who are looking to make an impact on the sector. Over the coming weeks we’ll be interviewing some of the makers who will be exhibiting at the event, which is sponsored by Axminister Tools and Sanderson Design Group and supported by the January Furniture Show.

Name: Eva Pinkney
Name of pieces: Jeanie

Tell us about the products you’re exhibiting. What’s the story behind it? 

A lounge chair made from recycled denim and plywood; Jeanie showcases an ongoing movement in fast fashion. Jeanie is a playful piece of Scandinavian inspired furniture, made to flaunt denim for a way it wouldn’t usually be utilised for. With her strips of denim fabric individually sewn and woven from donated and discarded jeans. Approximately 2 billion pairs of jeans are made every year, and with that we use 1.4 million tonnes of cotton. A report issued by Levi’s in 2015 stated that ‘washing jeans every 10 wears instead of every 2 wears reduces energy use, climate change impact, and water intake by up to 80%’. The ratio of men to women working in garment factories is roughly 1:5, and despite the higher employment of women in this industry, men are ‘three times more likely’ to obtain a management role in the garment industry, so not only should we perceive sweatshop labour to be a human rights issue, but it’s also should be known to be a woman’s rights issue. The lounge chair is named Jeanie to represent the woman in the 80%.

What was the most challenging part of bringing them to life? 

Although I had three years prior in furniture production experience from my degree, I had little to no experience in sewing. The main focal point of ‘Jeanie’ is the recycled denim, and as it is my major project it had to be produced  to the highest level I could achieve, so in my final year I had to teach myself how to sew.

What do you hope to get out of being part of the Young Furniture Makers exhibition? 

It would give me the chance to introduce myself to likeminded individuals in the design industry. It would also enable me to showcase my skills and creativity to a wider audience.

Who is your design hero and why?

Although I do not have a specific design hero, I admire any designer who is able to create exciting innovative designs using sustainable methods. In fact, a large part of my inspiration has been found whilst reading the book ‘Green Design’ by Dorian Lucas.

What are your career aspirations?  

Sustainability is my key aim in looking for a career, but in particular I would like to work within restoration or upholstery in furniture design.

Which company would you love to work for one day?

I would be happy to work for any company who considers the environment as their top priority.

How do you think you’d react if you won a Young Furniture Makers Award?

After putting in many hours to complete my degree, I would be honoured to receive an award. It would be exciting to know that the judges understood and appreciated the concept of ‘Jeanie’.