After a triumphant showcase of 150 Ukrainian designers in New York City, I Am U Are, the dynamic platform celebrating Ukrainian creativity, is set to captivate Los Angeles from December 1-3 at 5580 Adams Boulevard, Culver City.
Founded by Anna Pagava, CEO of Gogola agency, and Kristina Skripka, a hospitality specialist, I Am U Are serves as a premier multi-category retail platform dedicated to promoting and retailing Ukrainian brands across product design, crafts, fashion, and art on the thriving US market.
«The impact of Russian aggression on creative businesses in Ukraine has been significant,» emphasized Pagava and Skripka. «Through I Am U Are, our mission is to empower the Ukrainian creative economy by fostering collaboration between Ukrainian brands and the American community, helping these brands not only withstand the challenges of war but also thrive.»
The event will showcase 31 fashion brands, including globally recognized names like Bevza, Ruslan Baginskiy, Frolov, Zhilyova, Gunia Project, Personal Parade, Anna October, and Olena Mityrina. Additionally, the exhibition will feature 21 accessories brands, 15 arts creators, six technological startups, 18 ceramic makers, 39 object designers, 21 book/publishing participants, 10 creators from the transcendental Ukraine sections, and five businesses in cross fields.
On November 30, professionals can partake in a press tour and opening night with welcome drinks, speeches from founders, and engaging charity auctions. December 1st will feature a market day for vendors starting at 11 am, followed by insightful panel discussions from 3 pm to 6 pm in partnership with Razom for Ukraine, a distinguished non-profit human rights organization. Topics will encompass ‘Power of Innovation: Democracy Driven by Millennials,’ ‘Power of Movies: Connecting Cultural Narratives,’ and “Power of Art: Nothing Can Stop the Process.»
The main showcase welcomes general admission on Friday from 6 pm to 10 pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm. Secure your tickets on Eventbrite for $29, with all proceeds allocated to charity partner Nova Ukraine to support children’s education.
Established in 2022 as a small charity exhibition in Los Angeles, I Am U Are has rapidly evolved into a prominent exhibition organized in New York in 2023, complemented by the launch of an online sales platform in August 2023.