10 Years of FAINA: A Decade of Cultural and Sustainable Luxury Design

When FAINA celebrates its 10 - year milestone, it doesn’t mark a decade of objects - it marks a journey transforming from an experimental idea into an internationally recognized voice of Ukrainian cultural designs.

To celebrate this journey, FAINA presents a landmark exhibition in New York City, in Ukrainian Institute of America - honoring the brand’s past, present and future.

Founded after the Revolution of Dignity in 2014, FAINA collections evoke ancient symbols and revive ancient crafts thus passing on cultural history and forming the language of contemporary Ukrainian design. From its roots came the philosophy of “live minimalism”—a naive, primal aesthetic grounded in natural materials and handcraft. The first FAINA objects were rooted in everyday traditions: clay vases, wooden stools, felt textiles—raw, tactile, and imbued with cultural spirit.

SONIAH lamp. Process of creation

SONIAH lamp. Process of creation

A Philosophy of Earth, Heritage, and Hands

Central to her designs is the use of ZTISTA, a signature material blend that she developed to combine sustainability with aesthetic appeal. ZTISTA is a composite material made from natural elements like stone and wood, designed to offer the benefits of sustainability without compromising on beauty or performance. This material encapsulates Yakusha's vision of sustainable craftsmanship-creating functional, eco-friendly designs that stand the test of time. ZTISTA is both durable and adaptable, allowing it to be used in a variety of design applications, from furniture to architectural finishes.

Yakusha's "live minimalism" philosophy also encourages the creation of spaces that prioritize function over excess. In her designs, each element has a purpose, contributing to a harmonious, balanced space. Minimalism, in this context, isn't about stark emptiness but about curating a space that feels uncluttered and intentional. This mindset leads to the use of eco-friendly furniture and decor that not only look beautiful but also offer long-term durability. By choosing pieces that are built to last, and prioritizing quality over quantity, Yakusha promotes sustainable design that reduces the need for frequent replacements. In addition, the "live minimalism" philosophy advocates for personalizing spaces with meaningful, long-lasting items-such as family heirlooms, cherished artifacts, or sustainably crafted furniture-thereby infusing life and warmth into a minimalist setting without compromising on eco-consciousness.

Drawing from Ukrainian mythology, nature, and ritual forms, FAINA’s pieces are designed not for trend but for timeless resonance. It is a practice of cultural design — one where heritage becomes a living part of everyday interiors.

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Over a decade, FAINA has introduced a series of collections that shaped its voice. Each collection reflects a state of being, a connection to land and spirit, becoming cultural testimony expressed through form.

COLLECTIONS

FAINA has taken its vision beyond borders — presenting its collections at leading global platforms such as Salone del Mobile, Salon Art & Design, Design Miami, Maison&Objet, Dutch Design Week, Collectible… Each appearance has reinforced FAINA’s identity as a voice of cultural resilience and emotional minimalism. The brand has established permanent showrooms in Kyiv and Antwerp, as well as a growing international network of galleries and design partners.

Its philosophy and creations have been featured in some of the world’s most influential publications, including Dezeen, Architectural Digest, Forbes, Robb Report, Wallpaper*, Elle Decoration, and others. Through these global stages, FAINA continues to shape a new language of collectible design — one that values soul over spectacle, memory over mass production.

Retrospective : The Shape of Vitality & Drevo

Retrospective : The Shape of Vitality & Drevo

A Decade in Reflection: FAINA: The Shape of Vitality & Drevo

To celebrate its tenth anniversary, FAINA, together with the Ukrainian Institute of America, is organizing a major two-part exhibition in New York.

June 26 – July 10, 2025

Ukrainian Institute of America| 2 E 79th Street New York, NY.

For this retrospective exhibition, FAINA has curated what are arguably our most iconic pieces — an archive of form and memory in which design transcends time and captures moments. A decade’s worth of emotional and corporeal design crystallized in each work that gently connects the material to the spiritual and pulses with muted energy includes SONIAH floor lamp, PLYN armchair, KUMANEC and BANDURA vases, and Grun’ lamps.

In addition to the retrospective she is also exhibiting Drevo— a new series of engraved steel panels inspired by the ancient Ukrainian Tree of Life, marking a new direction for her art practice. The rest are hand-engraved steel panels named after Ukrainian women which honor feminine strength while celebrating ancestral memory embodying symbols once painted on village homes. In Victoria Yakusha’s hands these are not relics— they are living vessels. Topics explored invite audiences to respond to what we carry forward as heritage along with the ways through which generations can be interconnected by forms.