WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS AT PEAHEAD.ECO?

Q: Christine, we have heard so much about Peahead.eco. Please tell us what it is.

A: It is a design studio inspired by nature with a passion for the environment. It creates large scale interactive installations and commissioned works, such as award trophies, corporate and personalised gifts and upcycled functional products.

Our ethos is to develop designs with a cultural and emotional connection. Encompassing eco, green, ethical and sustainable practices with a true sense of place. We love this planet and by giving would-be-waste materials another life we can inspire others to see value in everything around us.

Q: Wow. Love it! We also heard that you won some awards recently? Tell all….

A: Yes, we have been lucky to be featured in the media quite a bit including Forbes, CNN, Arab Media and The National. We were also awarded: The Gold Gulf Sustainability Professional of the Year 2021/22 at the Gulf Sustainability Awards, Women Leader in Innovation & Creativity at the Women’s Leadership Summit 2021, Awarded Tier 1 Sustainable Fashion Brand by Azraq ME 2021 and the ADNOC Art Awards Finalist 2021. It’s been fantastic.

Q: That is very impressive, Christine. I love your bags. When did you get into designing

A: I was born in 1985 in Belfast, Northern Ireland and educated in Edinburgh. Inspired by alternative lifestyles I travelled the length and breadth of Europe volunteering with workaway projects and learning techniques of making, upcycling and permaculture. In 2018 I registered the first Precious Plastic Workshop in Ireland and began the creative recycling journey. 

After being lockdown in Dubai during 2020 I explored sewing and became a self taught bag maker. I developed techniques to process and recycle single-use plastic to incorporate into designs – without compromising the lifecycle of the plastic or fabric.

This circular economy approach to craft crossed with the slow fashion movement led to an early commission with a leading airline and large installations for Etihad, in DIFC, Dubai Tourism and Dubai Design Week.With collaborations, designs and creations realised in an ever-widening range of materials, including reclaimed leather, wood, car airbags, lifejackets and e-waste. I have been really fortunate to be able to turn my passion into a new career.

Q: Truly circular! It’s fantastic that more corporates are realising the value and benefit of design too. So, what’s next?

A: We just recently launched the EcoCraftWorkshop hosting a wide variety of activities for both indoor and outdoor arts and crafts. 

• Create wearable art and jewellery with intention setting workshops
• Learn to make natural dyes from vegetable scraps and blow paint your own tote bags
• Interested in designing your own handbag using Etihad leather & lifejackets?
• Perhaps you’d like to make & personalise accessories such as a belt, purse or glasses case to give as a special gift…

The workshops are all about “Mindful Making” with eco friendly processes and materials. Hosted in your home, garden, party or office.

Workshops are adaptable for all age groups.Follow us and say hi on Instagram @ecocraftworkshop 

Q. Amazing. Thanks so much Christine. All the very best of luck for the future with Peahead.eco