continuum unites ukrainian creatives in milan design week 2023 exhibition

continuum showcases five influential ukrainian brands

Ukraine’s brightest creative design brands, spread across five respective fields, team-up to realize the sensorial exhibition CONTINUUM at Milan Design Week 2023. The multi-medium exhibit uniquely combines features of design, fashion, craft, culinary and perfumery. It shines the spotlight on the continued creative work of the country’s visionaries, as design professionals and enthusiasts see them on the international stage.

concept behind continuum

Victoria Yakusha is a Ukrainian-born designer and architect who united the five handcrafting specialists into one exhibition. The creatives all share two things in common: a spirit of freedom and a respect for our planet. White is the core color of CONTINUUM – the definition of a blank completeness. White wool, fabrics, chocolate and stone bring neutrality to the exposition to create a setting that crosses the past, present and future.

DZHUS by Irina Dzhus

DZHUS is a cruelty-free conceptual brand known for its multi-purpose outfits. The Avant-garde garment innovators help minimize physical shopping and create a versatile yet sustainable wardrobe. DZHUS’s AW23 designs will be on display at CONTINUUM, with the key piece being a bulletproof-vest-inspired overall turning into a coat with a sheer hood referring to an angel-protector.

DINARA KASKO

Dinaro Kasko, previously an architect and 3D visualizer, is now a Pastry Chef with a unique style. The Patisserie values appearance as highly as taste, and utilizes her architectural training to make 3D printed silicone molds. The final product is more than simply a dessert, EDIBLE ART is the slogan of her works. In CONTINUUM, Dinara hosts a tastebud- tingling experience as she answers the question: how does the future taste?

FAINA by Victoria Yakusha

Victoria Yakusha is a Ukrainian-born designer and architect whose practice is immersed in the philosophy of ‘live design’. Yashuka’s brand FAINA contributes MOVCHUN furniture collection, a sensual and spirited take on minimalism. The primitive collection, named after derived from Ukrainian ‘keep silence’, reveals the interaction between human beings and nature through contemplation. MOVCHUN is environmentally-safe, made from organic materials such as cardboard, ZTISTA mixture, made from a blend of cellulose, clay, flax fiber, wood chips, biopolymer and the upholstery is comprised of completely natural fabric.

SOLOMIA. Reshetylivka Craft Studio by Solomia Reshetylivka

The studio of artistic crafts, founded in 2004, nurtures the Ukrainian crafts of weaving and embroidery, creating tapestries, rugs, decorations for the home. At CONTINUUM, SOLOMIA demonstrates a live masterclass where visitors can experience traditional craft techniques that have been passed down through generations. Led by a master weaver with over 30 years of experience, lucky participants are able to touch the ancient craft.

ARBORETUM by Vlad Zvarych

Vlad Zvarych is a Ukrainian perfumer, collector, conceptualist, critic, and an ideologist of the revival of modern Ukrainian perfumery. The Museum of vintage Ukrainian perfumery collector engages CONTINUUM attendee’s senses with new perfume ‘Serpanok’. Produced by ARBORETUM perfume brand, the scent is derived from Ukrainian word for ‘haze’, it is a fragrance that embodies the code the nation’s identity.

continuum is a visceral experience

As visitors enter the exhibit they immediately delve deeper into their own condition by concentrating on the senses. Designed to make guests lose track of time, CONTINUUM gradually reveals various experiences through its exhibition, divided by curtains. This division allows each artisan’s work to be appreciated on its own, while transporting visitors between worlds within one space.

project info:

name: CONTINUUM
curators: Victoria Yakusha | Solomia Reshetylivka | Dinara Kasko | Irina Dzhus | Vlad Zvarych
supported by: USAID Competitive Economy of Ukraine Program
event: Milan Design Week, 2023
location: Via Festa del Perdono, 6, Milan
date: April 17-23