The Story Behind Eva Joan
“There isn't a Shade that wasn't touched by less than 6 women.”
We’ve long admired the gorgeous, innovative work happening over at the Eva Joan studio in New York City’s West Village. The story of our artistic collaboration with Eva Joan’s creative masterminds, Emma and Bjorn, is one of unbridled creative freedom. We sent over samples of our Shades for the Eva Joan team to experiment with freely, and the result is a boundlessly inventive product that has left us at Tulip HQ speechless. This collaboration has unlocked limitless possibilities of what can come in the future.
Below, our conversation with the Eva Joan team about creative processes, what unites our two brands, and the eternal joy of loving vintage.
How did this collaboration come about?
Tulip: As a team deeply rooted in New York City, we’ve been longtime admirers of Eva Joan. Partnering with Emma and Bjorn felt like a natural evolution of our shared values and passion for creating pieces that tell stories.
EJ: It is always our goal at Eva Joan to find creative solutions to difficult problems and Tulip is just that! The opportunity to work with a product that is so simple and genius and put a little flare and magic on it - it is truly a match made in design heaven.
How are Tulip and Eva Joan like minded brands?
Tulip: We believe that every piece should carry meaning and artistry, a philosophy that perfectly aligns with Eva Joan. It’s this shared dedication to creating beautiful, meaningful objects that makes our partnership feel like a true collaboration of kindred spirits.
EJ: Tulip is a solution oriented brand and we felt it was only right to make 1-of-1 shades. We believe we have the same client and that this collection speaks to the flexibility and longevity of the shade - that even when you move or change you can adapt your lighting and reimagine it 1000x different ways.
How did you conceptualize this collection?
Tulip: We provided Emma and Bjorn with some Tulip samples and encouraged them to explore the possibilities in their studio. We wanted them to experiment freely, trusting their instincts as artists to guide the process. This collection represents a celebration of creativity.
EJ: Our studio utilizes hand techniques and vintage materials and lets that inform the design process. We want to be in conversation with what has come before us and what is exactly in front of us. There is such diversity in this collection because there were so many hands that touched each shade.
Was there any specific inspiration behind the designs (patchwork, ribbons, embroidered motifs, etc.)?
EJ: There's not a hand stitch we don't like! The collection was about answering the question: “How do we make shades that feel airy while utilizing vintage materials and hand stitching?” More candidly, we are always in conversation with the single girl in her first apartment in New York. She is the ultimate inspiration - clever, resourceful and hunting for the perfect glow!
Anything unique or cool about the process and craftsmanship we can talk about?
Tulip: Each piece is handcrafted in Eva Joan’s West Village studio, where Emma and Bjorn are deeply involved in every step of the process. The result is a collection enhancing our original designs and transforming them into one-of-a-kind art pieces that celebrate individuality.
EJ: There isn't a shade that wasn't touched, edited, cut or created by less than 6 women. Enough said !
What kind of person do you see using Eva Joan x Tulip Shade in their home?
Tulip: The Eva Joan x Tulip Shade collection is truly for everyone, but it especially resonates with those who curate their homes with intention and appreciate one-of-a-kind pieces.
EJ: Again - to all the singles (past or present) who’ve finally got their own first studio, who would rather buy vintage than dinner — curators of chaos, clothing-chair-pile people, carry-on-filled-with-lamps people! These are for you!
We are invigorated by the consistent curiosity of Emma and Bjorn and we insist that you check out their glorious creations on our site now. Stay tuned for more background on this truly reenergizing collaboration, and we invite you to take the spirit of Eva Joan into your everyday.
