Cynthia Chan Is Using Dog Fur to Create a Sustainable and Ethical Alternative to Traditional Products

Cynthia Chan deeply believes design is the bridge that forms a relationship and connection between people

Dog Fur Rugs

Singapore-based designer Cynthia Chan has created a range of household rugs made from the fur cut off during dog grooming services. The city has over 150 grooming services, which discard around one kilogram of fur per day. Instead of letting it go to waste, Chan used techniques such as felting, tufting, knitting, and compression molding to turn the fur into “pelts” which she calls “Furmidable”.

The Furmidable series aims to raise awareness of the potential of using dog fur as a sustainable and cruelty-free alternative to synthetic materials. It also explores the raw, expressive qualities of these fibers and pushes the boundaries of what is possible with this material. The series was inspired by the variation in fur among domestic dogs, with each piece of furniture drawing from a specific breed, such as a poodle or terrier.

The collection is a commentary on the relationship between domesticated animals and domestic products. The grooming of dogs has changed from functional cuts to stately styles that reflect social status, and this evolution is mirrored in the history of furniture, which has gone from being functional to a symbol of social status and now an element of interior decoration. The Furmidable Seats play with this theme, creating grotesque and endearing caricatures of domestic objects that are made from the respective hair of purebred dogs.

The Furmidable project offers a new perspective on dog grooming and the waste produced by it, highlighting the potential of using cut fur as a renewable and sustainable resource. By exploring the creative possibilities of this material, Cynthia Chan hopes to inspire others to think differently about the use of waste materials in design.

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