After experiencing the 2014 Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine, furniture designer and architect Victoria Yakusha sought in her work to preserve, revive and celebrate Ukrainian culture. A deep connection with nature and a sustainable construction approach connects her designs to the Earth and centuries-old traditions. By drawing on techniques and materials native to her home country, Yakusha creates award-winning collections of furniture, lighting and décor with an organic modern design style.
Growing up, Yakusha fostered an affinity for Ukrainian primitivist and folk artists including self-taught painter Maria Prymachenko. She later studied architecture at Prydniprovska State Academy in Ukraine and the National Institutes of Science and Technology in France. In 2006, she opened YAKUSHA, a multidisciplinary studio, and in 2014, she launched her furniture brand, Faina.
Faina uses materials from Ukraine and employs local specialists to craft furnishings, often entirely by hand. The brand developed its own living material, ztista, a moldable dough composed of recycled metal, cellulose, wood chips and clay. Faina also uses a historic craft technique known as valkuvannia, which involves coating a solid surface with a mixture of straw, hay and natural clay. It enables sculptors to form highly textured pieces including chairs, benches and lamps.
Yakusha’s work has been presented around the world, including at the 2018 and 2020 Paris Design Week, 2017 Stockholm Furniture Fair, 2018 and 2020 Milan Design Week and 2015 and 2018 Bologna Design Week. She won recognition from the ELLE DECO International Design Awards in 2019, Art Space Interior Awards in 2020 and the 2020 Arte Laguna Prize for Art Design. In 2021, Yakusha’s Istetyka interior in Kyiv became the first Ukrainian project to win in the Dezeen Awards for the Bars & Restaurants category.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of designs by Victoria Yakusha including seating, tables, decorative objects and more.
STRIKHA medium pendant lamp D 47 in. (1200 mm)
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
STRIKHA / Ukrainian for straw roof / shelter and protect the warm energy of a home. The authentic lighting draws inspiration from roofs that ornate traditional Ukrainian dwellings (...
Willow
Contemporary Pendant Lamp STRIKHA Large Willow Vine Shade D 59 in. (1500 mm)
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
STRIKHA big pendant lamp is a handcrafted contemporary lighting fixture made from woven willow vine over a steel frame. Its wide circular form and natural materiality create a warm a...
Willow
SONIAH pendant lamp
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
SONIAH / Ukrainian for sunflower / a symbol of prolific Ukrainian earth. Each pendant is hand-sculpted in FAINA’s sustainable material — ZTISTA. Pure and laconic shapes of SONIAH ca...
Clay, Linen, Glass, Reclaimed Wood, Paper
IDEA SLUHACH Pendant Lamp
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
SLUHACH COLLECTION / VISUALLY, THE SHAPE OF THE LAMPS RESEMBLES LOCATORS THAT 'LISTEN' TO THE SURROUNDING WORLD THE TEXTURE OF THE PRODUCTS IS SIMILAR TO A SEPARATE SENSE ORGAN. WE ...
Metal
DESIRE SLUHACH Pendant Lamp
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
SLUHACH COLLECTION / VISUALLY, THE SHAPE OF THE LAMPS RESEMBLES LOCATORS THAT 'LISTEN' TO THE SURROUNDING WORLD THE TEXTURE OF THE PRODUCTS IS SIMILAR TO A SEPARATE SENSE ORGAN. WE ...
Metal
DREAM SLUHACH Pendant Lamp by Victoria Yakusha/ FAINA
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
SLUHACH COLLECTION / VISUALLY, THE SHAPE OF THE LAMPS RESEMBLES LOCATORS THAT 'LISTEN' TO THE SURROUNDING WORLD THE TEXTURE OF THE PRODUCTS IS SIMILAR TO A SEPARATE SENSE ORGAN. WE ...
Metal
Small Simple Shade 01 Pendant Lamp by Naomi Paul
By Naomi Paul
Located in Geneve, CH
Small simple shade 01 pendant lamp by Naomi Paul. Dimensions: D 50 x H 8 cm. Materials: metal frame, Egyptian cotton cord. Available in other colors and in 3 sizes: D50, D60, D80 ...
Metal
Etna Rattan XL Pendant Light, by DUNLIN
By DUNLIN
Located in Sydney, AU
Designed by Dunlin. Introducing the latest addition to the Etna family, The Etna XL. A stunning pendant light or statement piece for any Living Room, Entry way or Dining Space. Wit...
Rattan
Etna Rattan Large Pendant Light, by DUNLIN
By DUNLIN
Located in Sydney, AU
Handwoven Rattan in Indonesia. Designed by Dunlin. An elegant, perfectly proportioned handmade rattan pendant with undulating waves. Handmade in rattan in a unique Dunlin-designed...
Rattan
Candeeiro Pendant Lamp by Macheia
Located in Geneve, CH
Candeeiro Pendant Lamp by Macheia Handmade In Portugal. Dimensions: Ø 80 x H 90 cm. Materials: Natural dried bulrush and galvanized iron. Candeeiro represents a play of concepts - to shed a light, literally, to the Bunho technique. Unconventionally displayed in the ceiling, the wheel is supported by minimal metal structures that hold the electrical mechanism. The reflecting disc, similar in shape to other elements of the collection, solidifies the metal as a complementing material to bulrush. The Collection zooms in the Bunho technique - a unique portuguese basketry technique that shapes the natural fiber Bulrush (Schoenoplectrus Palla), into a intricate mesh of knots and stitches. Nowadays, the Bunho technique is kept by the hands and know-how of only two artisans in Europe, One of them is Manuel Ferreira...
Other, Iron
"Caprarola" 90cm rattan and fabric pendant lamp.
Located in Lisboa, PT
"Caprarola" 90cm diameter rattan and fabric ceiling lamp, the basin composed of a rattan structure and fabric, suspended by a hammered iron chain. Barracuda Edition, made in Portuga...
Rattan
Etna Piccolo Rattan Pendant Light, by DUNLIN
By DUNLIN
Located in Sydney, AU
A smaller version of the classic Dunlin Etna pendant. Perfectly proportioned rattan pendant with undulating waves. Paired with a rattan ball and ceiling rose, included. Handmad...
Rattan
