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.
Contemporary Sculptural Armchair, DOMNA Lounge Chair by Victoria Yakusha
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
Sculptural upholstered armchair, DOMNA model designed by Victoria Yakusha. Created as part of the FAINA collection, the armchair draws inspiration from anthropomorphic Venus sculptur...
Textile, Foam, Wood
ZTISTA Chair by Victoria Yakusha: Upcycled Steel & Clay Design
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
ZTISTA chairs - hand-sculpted of FAINA’s eponymous material - ZTISTA a sustainable blend of clay, hay and other recycled materials, designed to one day return to nature. ZTISTA is a...
Steel
Plyn Armchair by Victoria Yakusha: Textile & Ash, Fluid Design
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
The PLYN collection (meaning "fluidity" in Ukrainian) eloquently embodies the essence of water and the adaptability of life itself. Inspired by the ever-changing forms of nature, PLY...
Textile, Ash
Soniah Bench by Victoria Yakusha, Handcrafted Ash & Textile, Ukraine
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
The Yakusha studio’s philosophy of live design invites one to go inward by interacting with millenea-old techniques, customs and primeal materials. Laconic, yet spirited; deeply conn...
Textile, Foam, Ash
$11,340 / item
Big Duzhyi Stool by Victoria Yakusha
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Big Duzhyi stool by Victoria Yakusha Dimensions: D 84 x W 30 x H 56.5 cm. Material: Hand-sculpted in the author's signature sustainable material Ztista - a blend of paper, clay, hay,...
Clay, Wood
$9,587 / item
Grun’ Bench by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Grun’ Bench by Faina Dimensions: W 134 x D 44 x H 46 cm Material: Textile, foam rubber, sintepon, wood. The bench further explores the theme of animism, featuring forms that evoke ...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
Grun’ Dewlit Armchair by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Grun’ Dewlit armchair by Faina Limited Edition Dimensions: D 87 x W 89 x H 91 cm Material: Textile, foam rubber, sintepon, wood, hand embroidery with beads. Weight: 20 kg The Grun’ ...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Beads
TOPTUN Armchair by Victoria Yakusha: Soft Geometry in Textile and Wood
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
TOPTUN / Ukrainian for one who loudly stomps / an animistic collection of live design furniture. TOPTUN is created with the idea of “soft geometry” - a primitive shape with strongly ...
Textile, Wood
Grun' Chair by Victoria Yakusha: Whimsical Textile and Wood Design
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
MATERIAL: textile, foam rubber, sintepon, wood. Colors palette: more than 40 colors in 3 categories are available. Please kindly note that handcrafted items may slightly differ in s...
Textile, Wood
Sculpted Contemporary Black Chair, Ztista Chair by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Warsaw, PL
Sculpted contemporary black chair - Ztista Chair by Faina Design: Victoriya Yakusha Material: steel, flax rubber, biopolymer, cellulose Dime...
Steel
$4,375 / item
Grun’ Chair by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Grun’ chair by Faina Dimensions: W 69 x D 67 x H 86 cm Material: Textile, foam rubber, sintepon, wood. Weight: 14 kg The Grun’ chair embodies the spirit of animism, with a whimsica...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
$8,259 / item
Grun’ Armchair by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Grun’ Armchair by Faina Dimensions: W 89 x D 87 x H 91 cm Material: Textile, foam rubber, sintepon, wood. Firmness: Firm. Weight: 20 kg. The Grun’ armchair boasts a unique shape ...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
PLYN Sofa by Victoria Yakusha, Textile and Ash, Fluid Design, Ukraine
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
The PLYN collection (meaning "fluidity" in Ukrainian) eloquently embodies the essence of water and the adaptability of life itself. Inspired by the ever-changing forms of nature, PLY...
Textile, Ash
PLYN Small Sofa by Victoria Yakusha: Textile & Ash, Fluid Design
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
The PLYN collection (meaning "fluidity" in Ukrainian) eloquently embodies the essence of water and the adaptability of life itself. Inspired by the ever-changing forms of nature, PLY...
Textile, Ash
PLYN Bench by Victoria Yakusha, Textile and Ash, Fluid Design, Ukraine
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
The PLYN collection (meaning "fluidity" in Ukrainian) eloquently embodies the essence of water and the adaptability of life itself. Inspired by the ever-changing forms of nature, PLY...
Textile, Ash
Domna Ottoman by Victoria Yakusha: Modern Textile & Wood Design
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
DOMNA / root word for home in Ukrainian / an embodiment of Mother Earth. DOMNA - born out of the shape of anthropomorphic Venus sculptures of the Trypillians, an ancient people who ...
Textile, Foam, Wood
TOPTUN Chair by Victoria Yakusha: Textile & Wood Soft Geometry
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
TOPTUN chair is a handcrafted contemporary upholstered chair combining textile, foam rubber, sintepon, and a solid wood structure. The design features a compact yet sculptural form w...
Textile, Wood
$6,630
GRUN' Dewlit chair
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
MATERIAL: textile, foam rubber, sintepon, wood. Please kindly note that handcrafted items may slightly differ in shades and textures. Only for indoor use. The chair has a soft s...
Textile, Wood
$4,384Sale Price|20% Off
ZTISTA Bench by Victoria Yakusha: Sustainable Clay & Steel Design
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
ZTISTA / Ukrainian for made of dough / ZTISTA bench — hand-sculpted of FAINA’s eponymous material — ZTISTA a sustainable blend of clay, hay and other recycled materials, designed to...
Steel
$2,840Sale Price|20% Off
ZTISTA Chair by Victoria Yakusha: Sustainable Ukrainian Design
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
ZTISTA / Ukrainian for made of dough / ZTISTA chair — hand-sculpted of FAINA’s eponymous material — ZTISTA a sustainable blend of clay, hay and other recycled materials, designed to...
Steel
Grun' Armchair by Victoria Yakusha: Whimsical Textile & Wood Design
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
MATERIAL: textile, foam rubber, sintepon, wood. Colors palette: more than 40 colors in 3 categories are available. Please kindly note that handcrafted items may slightly differ in s...
Textile, Wood
$11,340 / item
Medium Duzhyi Stool by Victoria Yakusha
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Duzhyi stool by Victoria Yakusha Dimensions: D 51.5 x W 37 x H 47.5 cm Dimensions: D 84 x W 30 x H 56.5 cm. Material: Hand-sculpted in the author's signature sustainable mater...
Clay, Wood
$11,340 / item
Volyk Bench I by Victoria Yakusha
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Volyk bench I by Victoria Yakusha Limited Edition of 12 Dimensions: D 84 x W 30 x H 56.5 cm Material: Hand-sculpted in the author's signature sustainable material Ztista - a blend of...
Clay, Wood
$11,340 / item
Volyk Bench II by Victoria Yakusha
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Volyk bench II by Victoria Yakusha Limited Edition of 12 Dimensions: D 87 x W 30 x H 57.5 cm. Material: Hand-sculpted in the author's signature sustainable material Ztista - a blend ...
Clay, Wood
Grun’ armchair boast a unique shape that captivates the eye. Its wide, solid bas
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
MATERIAL: textile, foam rubber, sintepon, wood. Please kindly note that handcrafted items may slightly differ in shades and textures. Only for indoor use. The chair has a soft s...
Textile, Wood
Grun' Bench by Victoria Yakusha: Organic Textile and Wood Design
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
MATERIAL: textile, foam rubber, sintepon, wood. Colors palette: more than 40 colors in 3 categories are available. Please kindly note that handcrafted items may slightly differ in s...
Textile, Wood
Bench in Hand Tufting Wool, by Vintola Studio, Europe, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Contemporary Bench inspired of 1960s style. The bench consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Bench was design...
Fabric, Beech, Wool
Pair of Shearling 'Strapontin' Stools by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of shearling 'Strapontin' stools by Design Frères. Chic and understated. Also great as a two-part bench.
Iron
Pair of Antique Benches
Located in Lymington, GB
A pair of antique benches, or forms. One is 18th century, the other later. Of rich, golden color and well-figured. N.b. 2" thick solid planks. Both are sturdy and ready-to-use. Measures: L 7’6" (230 cm) W 10" (25.5 cm) H 1’7" (48 cm). These look great en suite with an antique refectory or farmhouse table, for which they would have been originally designed. This type of bench or form would harmonise well in any interior, whether modern or traditional. During the 16th and 17th centuries refectory...
Wood
Pair of Gray Shearling 'Strapontin' Stools by Design Frères
By Design Frères, Gilbert Poillerat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of chic gray shearling 'Strapontin' stools by Design Frères. Matte black steel base with grey shearling upholstered seats.
Steel
$7,749 / item
H 19.69 in W 55.52 in D 18.51 in
Limited Edition Victoria Bench in Black Velvet & Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The limited edition Victoria bench...
Brass
Curule Iron Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Iron curule stool with boxed linen seat cushion. Also available C.O.M.
Iron
Reflection Stool from The Collection by Michael Del Piero
By Michael Del Piero
Located in Wainscott, NY
21st Century hand-finished Aluminum Reflection Stool. Designed by Michael Del Piero. Rusty Finish Aluminum.
Aluminum
$1,260 / item
H 18.9 in W 29.93 in D 14.97 in
Bench in Dedar Lilaz Fabric, by Vintola Studio, Europe, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Contemporary Bench inspired of 1960s style. The bench consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Bench was design...
Fabric, Bouclé, Beech
Contemporary Clay Dining Chair by Maarten Baas
By Maarten Baas
Located in Warsaw, PL
These vibrant chairs are from Maarten Baas’s iconic ‘Clay’ collection launched in 2006. The idiosyncratic childishness of this collection is created through Baas’s individual hand mo...
Metal
Foot Bench in Oak
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
This playful design is part of Project 213A's hand carved wooden "foot series"; inspired by a classic milking stool, this bench comes with three foot shaped legs and one uneven leg. ...
Chestnut, Oak
Bench in Camel Boucle by Vintola Studio, Europe, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Contemporary Bench inspired of 1960s style. The bench consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Bench was designed by Vintola...
Fabric, Bouclé, Beech
Daphne Solid Teak Side Stool
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Daphne stool is crafted of solid teak. This stool can be used in wet conditions such as showers, poolside, etc. The sleek lines of the top are com...
Teak
Black Sculpted Contemporary Chair by FAINA
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpted Indoor contemporary chair by FAINA Design: Victoriya Yakusha Material: steel, flax rubber, biopolymer, cellulose Dimensions: Height: 106 x Width: 45 x Sitting place width...
Steel
Outdoor Sculpted Contemporary Bench by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Outdoor Sculpted contemporary Indoor bench by FAINA Design: Victoriya Yakusha Material: steel, flax rubber, biopolymer, cellulose Dimensions: Length 110 x height 82 x width 52.5 c...
Fabric
Plyn Armchair by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Plyn Armchair by Faina Design: Victoriya Yakusha Materials: Textile, foam rubber, sintepon, wood Dimensions: L 110 x W 175 x Seat width 80 cm The dim...
Textile, Rubber, Wood
Contemporary Bench by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Contemporary bench by Faina Design: Victoriya Yakusha Material: Textile, wood, foam, rubber, sintepon Dimensions: H 49 x W 124 x L 33 cm In ...
Textile, Foam, Wood
Padun Sofa Module 7 by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Padun sofa module 7 by Faina Design: Victoriya Yakusha Materials: Textile, foam rubber, sintepon, wood Dimensions: 115 x 120 x H 90 cm In search of new-old design messages, Vi...
Textile, Foam, Wood
Contemporary Bench by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Contemporary bench by Faina Design: Victoriya Yakusha Material: Textile, wood, foam, rubber, sintepon Dimensions: H 49 x W 124 x L 33 cm...
Textile, Foam, Wood
Contemporary Chair by FAINA
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Contemporary armchair by FAINA Design: Victoriya Yakusha Material: Textiles, Foamrubber, Sintepon, wood and plywood Dimensions: 44.5 ?, 46 ?, 78 cm Weight: 10 kg In search of new-ol...
Textile, Wood, Plywood
Contemporary Armchair by FAINA
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Contemporary armchair by FAINA Design: Victoriya Yakusha Material: Textiles, foamrubber, sintepon, wood and plywood Dimensions: 45 ? 76 ? 67 cm ...
Textile, Wood, Plywood
Orange Sculpted Contemporary Chair by FAINA
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpted Indoor contemporary chair by FAINA Design: Victoriya Yakusha Material: steel, flax rubber, biopolymer, cellulose Dimensions: Height 82 x width 48 x legs depth 45 cm Weight:...
Steel