Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Yakusha.
Hi Victoria, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started as an architect and interior designer, and founded my studio in 2006, so I always say that I have an architect’s mind. You can see it both in my spaces and objects. It’s all about shape, about materiality, very minimalist by nature. In 2018 I showed some of my first objects in Stockholm, and the Toptun armchair was featured in Vogue US as one of the standout pieces. That brought our work to an American audience for the first time. We also began exhibiting more in London, Paris, Brussels. And all this time I kept designing interiors for private clients. Today it has become one world, interiors and objects together. I call it live design. Creating something that is alive.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Every project has a challenge. And the further you go, the bigger they get. But this is where I’m strong. I go deep into every detail and know all the processes running in my studio, whether it’s supervising a hotel or selecting furniture for a new boutique. Opening our design gallery and interior studio in Miami took me three years. Many of our clients are based here. So it was a natural step.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Yakusha Studio, FAINA, Victoria Yakusha Gallery?
At Yakusha Studio we design private residences, hotels, boutiques, cafes. Every project is different, but clients usually come for our vision and worldview. Stylistically it’s minimalism, but sensual, layered in texture, sculptural. Life is fast now, and I believe the space should do the opposite, slow you down, ground you.
One of the latest architectural projects we did was a retreat, private houses together with spaces for spa, yoga and life in nature. Connection to nature is very important in my work. I’m focused on wellness now, on how a space can change the way you feel. For me, this is about quality living.
Alongside Yakusha Studio, we have FAINA, our own furniture and decor brand, and I create limited edition works that we exhibit at Design Miami and Salon Art + Design in New York. All objects are created in collaboration with artisans, so every piece is unique in its essence.
The standouts in the FAINA collection are the hand-sculpted pieces made from our own material. We make sculptural lighting, chairs and tables from it. The material is applied in many layers, which gives every object a recognizable silhouette. The Soniah lamp, inspired by a sunflower, has become one of our icons. Sometimes clients send us photos of it, and that’s one of my favorite things. Seeing the pieces find their homes.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I have four children, so finding a moment to listen to a podcast is not an easy task. I love ‘Aspire’ with Emma Grede. She has a magnetic energy and amazing guests.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://victoriayakusha.com/
- Instagram: Yakusha studio of interior design @yakusha.studio, FAINA furniture and decor @fainadesign
