Victoria Yakusha (b. 1982, Dnipro, Ukraine) is an architect, designer, and artist internationally recognized for her philosophy of “live design,” an approach rooted in a deep connection to nature, material honesty, and Ukrainian cultural heritage. Trained in architecture in Ukraine and France, she founded her architectural studio in 2007, developing a practice that blends spatial clarity with emotional and environmental sensitivity.

Following Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity in 2014, Yakusha redefined her role as a cultural advocate and established FAINA, a design brand dedicated to furniture, lighting, and objects grounded in Ukrainian traditions. Her work is defined by what she terms “live minimalism”—a synthesis of reduced forms, ecological awareness, and living materials that appear to breathe and carry energy. Clay, wood, wool, willow vine, and her self-developed sustainable material Ztista—a biodegradable composite of recycled paper, clay, hay, and natural binders—are central to her sculptural language.

Since 2022, Yakusha has expanded her practice as an independent designer, collaborating with international brands while continuing to produce limited and collectible collections. She sees herself not only as a designer, but as a cultural heritage architect and global ambassador for Ukrainian design, creating objects that leave a cultural footprint rather than an environmental one. Her work bridges architecture, craft, and contemporary design, embedding ancestral codes within a minimalist, forward-looking aesthetic.

Equally important to Yakusha’s practice is her engagement in socio-cultural initiatives. Inspired by Ukrainian primitivists such as Maria Prymachenko, she has contributed to projects including the Maria Prymachenko Museum and the Chernihiv, Sustainable City strategy. Through design expeditions, she connects international creatives with Ukrainian artisans, positioning craftsmanship as a living, evolving source of innovation.