Gunia Project revives Ukrainian craft traditions through contemporary design

Founded by Natalia Kamenska and Maria Gavryliuk, the Ukrainian fashion and design label Gunia collaborates with over 150 artisans throughout Ukraine to produce modern items inspired by traditional craftsmanship. The brand employs nine artisanal techniques, including blown glass, weaving, embroidery, wood carving, ceramics, silver and bead jewelry, knitting, and basketry. In 2019, Gunia launched a Christmas tableware collection adorned with cherubs and lambs, one piece of which was presented to Pope Francis by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2020. The founders, with backgrounds in fashion, prioritize research-based design, drawing from ethnographic studies and museum resources. Gunia’s aesthetic, influenced by naïve art and folk symbolism, champions handmade, meaningful creations over mass production, viewing heritage as a dynamic dialogue integrated into daily life.