When it came to beige, the heroine was determined instantly and without options. However, in the conversation with Victoria Yakusha, we did not limit ourselves to beige, but entered the brown-earth palette. The Global Aesthetic Center knows why exactly these shades are important now. He named Brave Ground as the color of 2020 — a warm, earthy shade that conveys calmness, reliability and respect for nature. Victoria Yakusha's design exists outside of trends, she follows her own path, relying on Ukrainian authenticity and interpreting ancient traditions in terms of minimalism and emotional brevity.
Victoria Yakusha is one of the main ambassadors of Ukrainian design in the world. Victoria founded her own multidisciplinary studio in 2006, and in 2019 she opened her own living design gallery in Brussels (Belgium).
Victoria Yakusha. Photo: Babeth Albert
The Yakusha Design team creates architectural projects, interiors, and develops the collection design line Faina, which includes furniture, decor, lighting and fragrances for the home. It was Faina items that made the brand recognizable in the world. For example, Victoria's new work, the Soniah floor lamp, was presented in Milan as part of Milano Design City at the beginning of this October. It became part of the Guiltless Plastic exhibition, where the Italian gallerist Rossana Orlandi collected 25 objects on the theme of environmental friendliness and new materials.
Pasochki made of sand
One of the vivid memories of my childhood is the vacation I spent in the village with my grandmother. There were endless green areas, ponds. We were outside all the time: building huts, climbing trees and herding goats. During this time, I was instilled with a love for nature and at the same time a love for traditions. We always celebrated the Trinity, Ivan Kupala, and it was beautiful and colorful.
I am convinced that even now my energy is the charge I received in childhood. The time carefree spent in nature, when you get to know the world tactilely, is worth a lot.
Furniture from Faina: Ztista table, Toptun chairs, Pampukh sofa. Photo: Vova Klever. Style: Nastja Savchenko
I want to give my children the same charge of children's freedom. It is important for me that in the summer they eat their fill of berries, swim, and spend a lot of time in the sun. So that it was a full-fledged stay in the summer, and not "loaded" with books, video games or cultural events.
A unique beige
When foreigners see Faina items at international exhibitions, they do not understand whether it is a Ukrainian design or something else. Because there is no such niche in their minds - "Ukrainian design". The phrase that you have to hear most often is: "You don't look like anything." Wherever the exhibition takes place, the reaction is exactly the same. This comment suggests that Ukraine is still not on the world design map. We have done a lot to make it manifest there, and for some people it has already happened. But not at the level of mass consciousness, it is still far from that. Now we are perceived simply differently, and this difference is attractive.
I constantly think about global goals, they are primary for me. I am not interested in creating a small and cozy apartment for one person. Yes, I would be happy to make this person happy, but my thoughts and ambitions are on a different scale.
Faina items: Strikha lamp, Toptun chairs, Bandura vase, Center of the Earth tapestry on the wall. Photo: Vova Klever. Style: Nastja Savchenko
Faina items: Ztista table, Kumanec vase. Photo: Vova Klever. Style: Nastja Savchenko
One of our projects is a design expedition «Earth inspires", when in 2018 and 2019 we brought designers and top journalists from all over the world to Ukraine to show them ancient craft techniques. This project had a powerful effect on the image of Ukraine. We told the world about our culture. From the very beginning, Faina was created precisely to make Ukrainian design a trend, to popularize it. It's not about my personal ego, it's about a bigger mission that motivates us to move and grow.
The color of the earth
My family and I have been living in Belgium for more than six months. It is a measured country, sometimes even too calm for me. It was here that I felt a special connection with the land. I used to be inspired by nature, but I was not attracted to gardening or horticulture. And in Belgium, different opinions on this topic began. It feels like a farming gene that has always been inside, but dormant, is manifesting. It is interesting that in Belgium the land is different - its color is redder. And beets or pumpkins, which are familiar to us, are considered something special here and are quite expensive.
In Belgium, the land is different - its color is redder
I embodied my love for my native Ukrainian land in a niche line of home fragrances that we launched at Faina. These are three different, but rich and unique in nature aromas: Mochar, Cvit, Polyn. For me, they are the smell of home.
Polyn is a niche home fragrance from Faina
Polyn, Mochar, Cvit are niche home fragrances from Faina
Neutral background
I love beige - it is a noble and grateful color. You can make it warmer, colder or completely neutral. I prefer a neutral beige that doesn't feel yellow, red, or greenish. This color does not cling and does not irritate. Beige is perfect for the "mono interiors" that I love to create. That's what I call projects where everything is made in one shade, and the game takes place at the expense of textures and materials.
I prefer neutral beige, which does not feel yellow, red or greenish
Items from Faina: Pampukh Bench, Center of the Earth Tapestry
A good beige shade is not so easy to find. The yellowness that protrudes from it destroys the effect of neutrality. I remember the stories from the 90s, when the reputation of beige suffered noticeably. Customers wanted interiors in the color of "cappuccino", "coffee with milk" or some other equally silly names. It looked "collective farm", because the shades of beige and the combination were chosen illiterately and created the effect of pretentious cheapness. The color we're working with now is a completely different beige.
Sand clock
I have four children - it affects my lifestyle and work. You have to organize your day in such a way as to combine a lot. I keep so many tasks in my head that sometimes it seems to me that there is a whole library there. Mother, creator, businessman - you have to be in different dimensions at the same time. I can be in the garden, then pop into the store, buy something for the home, and at the same time think about the next Faina collection and work processes: a shipment or some construction situation.
Children add focus. Even when you sit quietly and read, it means nothing. With side vision, with the third eye, you feel where your child is now, what is happening to him - all this without stress, on a subconscious level.
Having children changes the attitude towards time and work. Because time spent with children is priceless. And if you replace it with a job, it should be very meaningful, needed by someone, and not just for self-indulgence or self-affirmation. Every step you take should have a strong argument.
Faina House is a living design gallery in Brussels. Photo: Koen Van Damme
It is a great happiness to have four beautiful children. I learn a lot from them. They make me reconsider my values, make my life more conscious. They need a happy mother. I am one of those mothers who instill independence in children as early as possible. I ask, “What is your decision? what do you think? what would you like?".
I am not a "mother hen", but I participate in all processes. We don't have a nanny, I don't want that. My youngest child is less than a year old, she appeared at a more mature age. It's different than the first time, now I realize the value of every moment. I want to get high, and I have the energy to combine motherhood, work, and new projects.
Kraft beige
Let's be honest: Ukraine is not a country with a centuries-old history of well-established furniture industry. Due to historical vicissitudes, we did not have a clear built structure in anything. Everything that was built was taken away, destroyed, reborn and destroyed again. We were in the "here and now" state all the time. I am a creative person, not an industrialist.
Building my furniture factory from scratch is not something I would like to do. I started as an interior designer, and then Faina appeared as my mission. It was a response to an inner desire to present Ukraine and one's thoughts in design. That's why I chose craft and manual production.
Faina items are alive, that's our whole philosophy
Feelings, sensuality, sensations play a key role for me. Faina items are alive, that's our whole philosophy. Today, a person has surrounded himself with many things, and everything is fine with them, apparently. But in this flow, we lose touch with ourselves, our ability to feel. I am interested in what could change people, make them better, bring uniqueness to their lives.
Photo: Babeth Albert
I like that it has some imperfection, we at Faina and Yakusha Design don't worship perfection. And we believe in living and real things - living design.
Text: Nadia Sheykina
