We’ve spent the last week in Kiev, meeting our new Ukrainian distributor, the awesome Daylight Design Group. And what a week it was!
Guided by the talented Yuli Salata of Daylight, we’ve been introduced to the cream of Ukrainian design, architecture and art – along with getting to know the magnificent city of Kiev.
Our week started with a presentation to over 60 of Kiev’s leading interior designs. Introducing our wallpaper and fabric range by the likes of abstract artist Kiki Slaughter, tattooist Liam Sparkes and photographer Luke Evans is always a pleasure – especially to an audience as engaged and interested as Daylight’s.
Over 60 interior designs attended the FEATHR lauch in Kiev.
Fabrics, including work by Kiki Slaughter and Teija Vartiainen, received loads of love.
Reeta Ek’s English Rose was a big hit, both as a wallpaper and a velvet fabric.
We launched several new artists, including Spanish street artist Marcos Navarro
In the days that followed, we criss-crossed Kiev meeting architects, studios and interior designs. Along the way, we were introduced to a raft of talent that we new to us. Travel broadens the mind. And also the little black book.
One of our first visits was to the Bureau of Comfortable Interiors, run by the diminutive, energetic architect, Victoria Alekhina. She introduced to our new artist crush – the soulful, intricate work from Denis Belyanskiy. One of his murals fills the wall of the entrance to Victoria’s studio. We immediately fell in love with his work – and received an invite to the launch if his and Victoria’s latest incredible design collaboration (which you can read more about here).
We spent an enjoyable hour with the Dream Design group, creators of luxury interiors such as this luxurious home in Kiev (picture below), designed in a modern Belle Epoque style. They fell instantly in love with Kiki Slaughter’s Oh La La wallpaper, whisking the samples off to a specifying meeting the next day.
Another highlight was the time spent at Serghiy Mahkno’s studio and gallery, pictured below. One of the top architects in Ukraine, he’s also a creative polymath can turn his hand to sculpture, carpentry and product design. To read more on the about his incredible work, you can read this post on our highlights of his art, architecture, design and furniture.
The week ended with a unexpected highlight. We were invited to the launch of Denis Belyanskiy and Victoria Alekhina’s latest design and art collaboration. Created for a substantial home outside of Kiev tha Victoria is redesigning, Denis (working with four other artists) has painted three remarkable panels. Measuring up to 3 metres high and 4 metres long, the panels are modern tapestries to be hung on the family living space of the client’s home.
They were truly awe-inspiring pieces. Using the finest of brushes, and just a gold, white and black acrylic paint, Denis and his collaborators have created a moving, emotional modern masterpiece. We thoroughly recommend that you read this post about Denis, the new artwork and his remarkable technique.
One of the huge pleasures of FEATHR is meeting true creative talent. Our week in Ukraine was filled with it and we left inspired, humbled and energised.
Huge thanks to Yulia and all Daylight. We look forward to seeing our artists’ work in homes, offices and hotels throughout Ukraine.
Discover our full range of artist-designed wallpaper, fabrics and cushions.