KOROVAI

Ukrainian tradition depicts the sanctity of the wedding through the rich ritualism and symbolism of the prosperous life of newlyweds. GUNIA Project’s new KOROVAI collection is an artistic take that captures archaic wedding characteristics in contemporary design.

The wedding rituals took place even before the ceremony. The process of decorating a viltse — a special tree that symbolized the tree of life or a paradise tree — was pivotal in the traditional preparations. This image became a crucial element of the collection. The motif of the viltse is represented in the embellishments of the sweater and the vest, in the ornament of the beaded apron, and in the stitches of embroidery.

 The elements of nature were also popular in the decoration of ceremonial bread, standing for well-being and beauty itself. The korovai bread was adorned with braids, cones, flowers, and doves made of dough—such components inform the shape of the GUNIA Project jewelry. The embroidery depicts the social customs, plant, and romantic motifs inspired by naïve rushnyky and painted tiles. The bride’s wax head wreath is reimagined into beaded chokers.

The wedding preparation used to be a coveted tale, a subject for folk songs, and a source of awe. The preparation of the KOROVAI collection turned out to be almost as unique. It takes up to a week to create a single beaded apron by hand. Each item is created to showcase the variability of the Ukrainian traditional costume in a contemporary setting.Ukrainian authenticity-driven designs and modern-day needs are a match made in heaven.



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