The Craft Journey: Story of Iza
The village of Iza in Zakarpattia Region of Ukraine. This place has been a longtime inspiration to me with its unique story. In Iza, entire families weave and street fences are lined with baskets of all kinds.
The local technique of wicker weaving is included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage of Ukraine, and woven items from Iza were once exported and appreciated all over the world.
In creating my first bags, I wanted to work with local craftsmen, who now craft the base of the RB basket-bag and the rattan handle. A way to talk about our traditions in the context of today. The name of the bag «Iza» is dedicated to this place and its craft.
$420
Weaving with wicker and straw is one of the oldest forms of folk art in many countries, including Ukraine. For the creation of this bag drop, Ruslan collaborated with one of the centers of this art form - the village of Iza in the Zakarpattia region. The local technique of wicker weaving is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list of Ukraine, and Iza's products were once exported worldwide. The French painter, Auguste Renoir, had furniture from Iza decorating his porch.
$430
Each bag from Ruslan Baginskiy's debut drop received a special and symbolic name that conveys the idea behind the product. "Corn" is a name found in playing with associations.
$420
The Hay Basket Bag best reflects the idea of how traditions can continue to live in a modern context. The rattan handle is crafted in Zakarpattia's Iza (a Ukrainian center of wickerwork) by local artisans, the straw base is handwoven for 10 hours, and the name Hay is inspired by the texture of the natural material, reminiscent of a haystack.