10 VIVID examples of Russian motifs in modern design
1. ‘Russkaya Skazka’ by Peter Axenoff
A Russian Empire Crown brooch, a Faberge egg-inspired pendant or recognizable silhouettes from Russian folklore. Jewelry designer Peter Axenoff makes references to Russian fairy tales, jewels of the tsarist family and folk crafts in each collection.
2. Silk scarfs by ‘Sirinbird’
In 2013, artist Irina Batkova created the ‘SirinBird’ brand, in which every item is inspired by folklore and the history of Russia. Later, she began to produce ‘kokoshniks’, necklaces, clothes and bags and everything she creates is incredibly fabulous and bright.
3. Wooden furniture by Olga Engel
Among the unique works of designer Olga Engel, there are pieces of furniture that literally transport you into the past. For example, benches and chairs from the ‘Babushka’ series evoke childhood memories and the life in a village house. They also reveal silhouettes of Russian spinning wheels and old kitchen utensils.
4. ‘UТВАРЬ’ by ‘Made in August’ studio
Designer Vitaly Zhuikov recovered ancient utensils, furniture and window frames in abandoned villages and gave them all a new lease of life. He uses these variable parts to produce lamps, sculptures, mirror frames, as well as other interior decorations.
5. Knitted clothes & accessories by ‘Vereja’
In 2019, stylist Igor Andreev decided to create an experimental knitted clothing brand. It’s based on the idea of recycling old clothes, inspired by the tradition of knitted rugs from village houses. The brand has become a much-discussed fashion phenomenon and has appeared in a number of glossy magazines.
6. Textile design by Helen Loom
Paying tribute to the tradition of folk crafts, textile artist Elena Mazur creates woven and quilted interior items. Among the textile designs by her brand, called ‘Helen Loom’, are mirrors, lamps, tapestries and panels with references to Russian fairy tales and folk motifs.
7. ‘Bearbrick’ by ‘Gzhel’
Some 10 years ago, the fashion industry considered blue-and-white folk ‘gzhel’ to be kitschy. But, those days are long gone and, now, the factory, which has inherited the traditions of ancient crafts, has even released its own version of the iconic ‘Bearbrick’ bears.
8. ‘Khokhloma Bear’ by Alena Akhmadullina
The recognizable golden ‘khokhloma’ ornament on a black background is another calling card of Russia. Fashion designer Alena Akhmadullina repeatedly used the motifs of folk crafts in her work and, now, she’s become the creative director of the ‘Khokhloma’ factory, where her main task is to breathe new life into the famous painting. Furniture, decor, textiles and tableware with recognizable ornaments have now become a desirable object among connoisseurs and collectors.
9. ‘Of Course I still love you’ floor lamp by Maya Reznikova & ‘Working Knowledge’
This futuristic lamp by architect Maya Reznikova is inspired by space exploration. But, upon closer inspection, it turns out that the shape of the rocket hides a naive pattern in the style of folk embroidery with birds, traditional geometric and floral ornaments.
10. 'ZIMA' valenki boots
Many fashion houses (and even haute couture) have reinterpreted these traditional Russian felt boots in the 21st century. Why come up with something new, when there is a proven method of making shoes from wool, which turns out to be perfect for a cold winter? The ‘ZIMA’ brand has added rhinestones, fur decor and a rubber protector to them, a tribute to new technologies and extra protection from the elements.
Conceptual issues of the creative industry and creativity will be discussed at the ‘World Youth Festival 2025’, which will be held in Nizhny Novgorod from September 17 to 21, 2025.