Ukrainian design comes to New York
Discover Ukrainian design with the Ukrainian Creators Fair at Skylight at Essex Crossing, New York

The best of Ukrainian design will be united under one roof at the Ukrainian Creators Fair this week (24 – 26 March 2024) in New York, showcasing over 100 Ukrainian creators’ cultural, tech, and fashion projects.
Dubbed ‘i am u are’, the platform, encompassing an exhibition and comprehensive programme, is the brainchild of CEO of Gogola agency, Anna Pagava, and Kristina Skripka, a hospitality expert from Ukraine. ‘I’ve been living in the US for over four years. When the full-scale invasion of Ukraine broke out, the array of Ukraine-related events started appearing all over the world, which created an incredible wave of support for Ukraine,’ says Pagava. ‘However, it seemed to me that none of the events showed the modern Ukraine we know to the full extent. I felt the urge to create something else – different scale, different idea. I knew that this was my chance to show Ukraine to the world the way we know it: creative, unconventional, a worthy equal to all of the countries in the world. Due to my PR background, I understood that now is the time to speak up and show Ukraine from the best side possible, as people are listening.’
Ukrainian Creators Fair: ‘i am u are’
Nomis
Pagava continues, ‘My main inclination was to stray away from the regular pop-up or charity – which are an amazing representation, but would not fulfill my goal – and create a fresh format that would allow us to go deeper in meaning. At that time, I started searching for like-minded people: partners and team. Everything started shaping up when we partnered with Kris [Skripka], as she was in touch with exactly the people we needed for the project: artists, creators and visionaries. I had my Gogola team ready to work on the project 24/7. And when this came together, it became the starting point of the project, and the first building brick of the team of more than 30 people which is now the cornerstone for what we call “i am u are”.’
Triptych Essence
For Skripka, technology was a key focus. ‘I strongly believe that the future lies in talent and technology, so the categories for the projects were chosen pretty naturally, and Fashion, Tech & Culture became the three pillars of ‘i am u are’,’ she says. ‘Ukrainian creators are cool, edgy and have no fear of risk. They’re bringing modern solutions with a strong Ukrainian DNA, based on the thousands years of our history, to the international audience. Through these outstanding practices, we’re communicating about our background, young talents, and the future that we are creating together. We have a strong team working on the event – each one of them is the true leader of their segment: Masha Reva undertook fashion direction and product design; Nadiia Shapoval is in charge of the ethnological department and craft; Форма (Forma) oversees design and furniture. The intersection of their experiences and expertise is the success behind working with brands as a whole.
Bevza
‘Over the past six months, we’ve had hundreds of calls with brand representatives, and to be honest, their moral state has been fluctuating in sync with the course of the war. The circumstances deteriorated, the light disappeared; it seemed like people were giving up at some point, but we are here for moments like these – to support and show them the perspective that we see and that certainly awaits them. And at other times, we, like every Ukrainian, get tired ourselves. But then a video comes from a vendor who makes a new vase or weaves a carpet in complete darkness by candles only – and you immediately feel the strength to keep going.’
iamuare, the Ukrainian Creators Fair, will take place on 24 – 26 March 2023 at Skylight at Essex Crossing while there is also a pop-up at the Ukrainian Museum from 23– 28 March.
Esper Bionics
Hannah Silver joined Wallpaper* in 2019 to work on watches and jewellery. Now, as well as her role as watches and jewellery editor, she writes widely across all areas including on art, architecture, fashion and design. As well as offbeat design trends and in-depth profiles, Hannah is interested in the quirks of what makes for a digital success story.
-
For London Gallery Weekend 2023, the mood is hardcore
With London Gallery Weekend 2023 almost upon us (2 – 4 June), here’s our list of must-see art exhibitions
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
Birkenstock celebrates its most memorable styles with colourful capsule (and matching socks)
Birkenstock marks the 40th, 50th and 60th anniversaries of the Gizeh, Arizona and Madrid sandals, respectively, with limited-edition versions
By Jack Moss • Published
-
Zara Home and Vincent Van Duysen’s second collection is a hymn to conviviality
Zara Home+ by Vincent Van Duysen Collection 02 is the second chapter of the sophisticated collaboration and is focused on dining, featuring furniture, tableware and accessories
By Rosa Bertoli • Published
-
Irene Neuwirth and Studio Shamshiri bring magical realism to New York
Fall down the whimsical rabbit hole of Irene Neuwirth’s new jewellery boutique on Madison Avenue
By Hannah Silver • Published
-
Collectors’ corner: Taffin at TEFAF New York
Renowned jeweller James de Givenchy will be unveiling his new collection for Taffin at the TEFAF New York Spring Fair, taking place from May 3-7. His penchant for ceramic here takes on unusual forms, appearing transformed in a variety of bold hues that encapsulate both his familiar sculptural forms and a sharp, perceptive modernity.
By Hannah Silver • Last updated
-
Collectors’ corner: Siegelson’s rare jewels light up Tefaf New York
As with fine art, rare-jewel collections reflect their curator’s distinct point of view. Siegelson, New York, has encapsulated the verve, discipline and sheer artistry of 20th century jewellery design like no other. It would be easy to say that proprietor Lee Siegelson views jewellery as art but such is his collecting style that he doesn’t have to tell you so. Anyone with an interest in art, design and architecture would gain from a visit to his booth at Tefaf New York this week. Here, we choose five current Siegelson pieces that reveal why:
By Caragh McKay • Last updated
-
Rado reveals the winner of its Star Prize US 2018
By Caitlin McDonald • Last updated
-
From Bourgeois to Baldessari, last chance to see Hauser & Wirth’s unmissable jewellery show
By Caragh McKay • Last updated
-
New York jeweller Mania Zamani is reaching great heights with her geometric forms
By Pei-Ru Keh • Last updated
-
Masters old and new: Hannah Martin unveils a modern classic in New York
By Caragh McKay • Last updated
-
Oceana: inspecting the natural beauty of Tiffany & Co.'s 2016 Blue Book Collection
By Pei-Ru Keh • Last updated