8 Ukrainian brands present collections at the international design and decor exhibition in Paris

The collective stand of Ukrainian Design Brands will present new collections of Ukrainian manufacturers during one of the largest professional exhibitions Maison et Objet (Ukrainian Design Brands, Hall 7, B99-C100)

Along with globally recognized brands, visitors to the Paris Salon, which will run from January 18 to 22, 2024, will also be introduced to new names in Ukrainian design. For the sixth year in a row, the collective stand of Ukrainian Design Brands presents the most exciting objects of contemporary Ukrainian design at the exhibition. The organization of the Ukrainian stand at Maison et Objet is supported by the USAID Competitive Economy Program in Ukraine.

“Witnessing the evolution of Ukrainian design is truly inspiring. Ukrainian designers consistently captivate the international audience with their unique and sophisticated ideas. As the USAID Competitive Economy Program, we are honored to contribute to the success of Ukrainian brands, fostering a thriving design industry on the global stage”, — Olesya Zaluska, head of the USAID Competitive Economy Program in Ukraine.

“I fell in love with Ukrainian design thanks to the Maino project, the organizer of the Ukrainian Design Brands collective stands, when I discovered Danuta Kril’s collection of black smoked ceramics. Thanks to Maison et Objet, we have the opportunity to get acquainted with the bold, diverse proposals of Ukrainian designers with very modern research, modernized craft approaches, through which we can feel Ukrainian culture,” comments on the participation of Ukrainian brands at Maison et Objet Elizabeth Leriche, a trendsetter, stage designer, curator, founder of Bureau de style ELIZABETH LERICHE, who this year also joined the selection of Ukrainian brands, which is a great honor.

The collective stand of Ukrainian Design Brands is a significant initiative for our industry, as many companies are forced to relocate their production facilities. Still, despite the difficult conditions, they are reliable partners for clients worldwide, continue to export their products and create new collections. During Maison et Objet, eight Ukrainian brands will present their latest collections at this year’s Paris show, which an audience will evaluate. Among them:

DONNA. The company creates original interior items in collaboration with the most famous Ukrainian designers. One of the objects that the brand will present in Paris is Raft Sofa. The concept is based on an inflatable boat, from which they borrowed “inflated” shapes and details that seem to encircle the sofa like cables. The modular design makes it possible to create different seating arrangements. This flexibility makes the sofa an ideal choice for rooms of any size, from cozy apartments to spacious living rooms.

FURN OBJECT. Eccentric but comfortable interior items. At a time when most people prefer practical and utilitarian things, the brand encourages the search for something special: aesthetic and comfortable at the same time. FURN OBJECT designers Anna and Sergey Baersdorf like to play with complex knots and experiment with new techniques, shapes, and textures. This gives each object a unique character.

WOO. is a furniture design company that has been creating and manufacturing laconic sculptural forms and playful objects for seven years. The joy of life, the desire to explore the world, and the constant connection with the inner child inspire the team to create unique, colorful objects that attract attention and provoke interaction. In January, the company will present a selection of bestsellers in new colors, including the PLAY armchair and DROVA poufs.

kint. Interior items filled with special meanings. The brand creates functional furniture and décor that enhances people’s comfort. The team embodies the concept of additional functionality: modularity of elements, combining items to create a new function, and saving space. The brand creates a fresh look at everyday things around us. The exhibition will feature the best-selling upholstered furniture system puffa, a new line of coffee tables and decor.

dobro. A brand of designer furniture in which the creation of each product is a process of solving a specific problem and multi-functionality. Their new collection of metal outdoor furniture “BUBBLES”, which will be presented in Paris, consists of three types of benches and a chair, which can be combined into different groups at users’ discretion. The bright colors and modularity allow for variability in use, creating a variety of moods. 

RUDA Studio. Interior items inspired by natural materials and the ancient technique of straw inlay. The ROOTS OF HOME brand collection of lamps was created at the beginning of the full-scale war when many Ukrainians lost their homes and were forced to rebuild their lives in temporary housing. Associatively, one of the lamps resembles an old Ukrainian hut, where the lampshade reflects a roof with thatched or shingle terracing using the technique of covering it with “tyr”. Tyr is mined in the Carpathians and gives a black color to the wooden roof plates due to its high paraffin content.

TAKE SOME ROPE. An art tapestry studio founded by textile artist Yulia Tishchenko. Her works are emotions embodied in modern tapestries using all the existing textile techniques: hand weaving, macrame elements, knitting, crochet, felting, and others. With the help of a masterful combination of textures, colors, and different types of yarns, cords, and threads, Yulia transforms familiar techniques and materials into a new artistic matter every time. At the exhibition in Paris, the artist will present a new work created in collaboration with the famous ceramicist Sofia Stanko – Leap of Faith.

llab.design. A brand of furniture and decor made of natural stone. At the exhibition in Paris, llab.design will present its DUALITY and EDGE collections, which evoke new emotions through the dramatic contrast between the raw energy of the material and the idea of delicate shapes with intricate carved details, combined and reproduced in natural stone. Thanks to the specially selected texture of natural marble, each object becomes an accent element of any interior.

All the companies that will be presented at Maison et Objet demonstrate the rapid evolution of Ukrainian design in recent years. The exposition space was designed by Oksana Shumelda, O.M. Shumelda Design and Architecture Studio. Graphic design by the OdesaCityLetters project.

The USAID Competitive Economy Program supports Ukrainian businesses in improving their competitiveness in Ukraine’s domestic and international markets, helps build a simplified and transparent business climate, and provides Ukrainian companies with opportunities to take advantage of international trade.\

The Non-Governmental Union “Foundation for Support of Reforms in Ukraine” implements the project in cooperation with MAINO.

Curators: Sana Moreau, Anastasiia Biletska.

Partners: Galerie Sana Moreau (Paris), DESIGN4UKRAINE, Ambassade d’Ukraine en France, LES AMIS DE LA CULTURE UKRAINIENNE EN FRANCE, Pragmatika.