Victoria Yakusha is a Ukrainian designer who debuted her first collection of furniture, following the devastating invasion of the country. The capsule is boldly called 'Stepping on Ukrainian Soil' and it is an exploration of the designer's "connection to her homeland." The pieces, which include tapestry and seating are not only a poetic interpretation of personal and collective connections to Ukrainian earth. Through them, Victoria Yakusha also speaks directly to the ongoing conflict.
Zemlia (translated as 'earth') is the name of a sizable black tapestry that references black soil—also known as 'chernozem.' Victoria Yakusha relied on "an ancient but increasingly rare artisanal technique known as lizhnykarstvo." Other furniture pieces in Stepping on Ukrainian Soil include a range of black and white benches called Volyky and a series of chunky stools called Duzhyi.
Ukraine-Inspired Furniture Collections
Victoria Yakusha Explores Her Connection to Ukraine
Trend Themes
1. Artisanal Technique Revival - Designers look into ancient, valuable artisanal techniques to stand out from competitors and bring cultural heritage to modern aesthetics.
2. Poetic Interpretation - Modern designers are incorporating poetic elements to furniture pieces to provide a more personal and emotional connection to their designs.
3. Incorporation of National Identity - Designers are exploring their individual connections to their countries, using these inspirations to create furniture pieces that instill a deeper sense of nationalism to their designs.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture Industry - The furniture industry can explore incorporating artisanal techniques, using unique national inspirations, and adding more emotional connections to their designs for differentiation.
2. Home Decor Industry - The home decor industry can focus on incorporating products that capture the cultural and personal identity of individuals, specifically furniture pieces that express emotional connections.
3. Artisan Fashion Industry - The artisan fashion industry can look into incorporating the techniques used in furniture making and other industries to add value to their products that consumers are looking for when making their purchases.