
Ukrainian Designers Expand Networks and Support Communities
Ukrainian Designers Expand Networks and Support Communities

When conflict arose in Kharkiv, Ukraine in 2022, Anna Zmiievska and the staff of her Anzy Home design business were displaced and had to stop work. Despite the dangers, she and her colleagues returned to their facilities to collect equipment and then moved to central Ukraine. Step by step they gathered resources to resume production of their home goods hand-made by women.

Anna Zmiievska shares her company’s handmade products at Shoppe Object 2024.
“Ukrainians are unstoppable. We have blackouts, but we continue to process orders. people understand that if we need to do something we will do it,” said Anna. “We have a sad story of why Ukraine became popular, but it’s our chance to say to the world that Ukrainians do good things, producing high quality and cool design.”
The initiative for TradewithUA, a collective of small Ukrainian businesses came from an understanding of shared goals and common challenges. TradewithUA works to develop the competitiveness and increase the export capacity of Ukrainian manufacturers, and to promote cooperation between its members and market participants. The businesses aim to be socially responsible and sustainable, while creating employment for conflict-affected community members.
“We decided to unite with other brands to make all of us stronger because we strongly believe that collaboration works,” said Anastasiia Burzi, Chair of the Board of Trade with UA, and co-owner of her family business WOODMOOD. “We decided to organize a trade group to promote Ukrainian brands and show them to the whole world.”
Six small Ukrainian design businesses, gathered under the banner TradewithUA, welcomed hundreds of buyers and visitors to peruse their products during Shoppe Object, New York’s annual premier home and gift show, held August 4-6, 2024.

USA for IOM and the IOM Diaspora Engagement Unit in Washington, DC coordinated with Powered by People (PBP), the collective’s sponsoring partner, to highlight the group of Ukrainian designers. TradewithUA had an opportunity to interface with wholesalers and to promote foreign market opportunities.
“We started here in the U.S. because we feel a great support. We are very happy to meet a lot of people who helped and who shared our idea,” said Anastasiia.
With appreciation to SHOPPE OBJECT for their continuous support and partnership, which has made it possible for TradewithUA to present at Shoppe Object both in August 2024 and now in February 2-4, 2025 in New York City.
While creating quality, modern and functional pieces, these Ukrainian designers support capacity building for women, emphasize sustainability in their practices, and offer employment to internally displaced persons.


“We have to be fast and effective because we have only one hour of electricity per day. It’s really hard to produce in Ukraine now, but our mission is to stay safe and to show Ukrainian design now even in conditions of war,” said Katerina Spolitak holding a product of her company Woolberry Bags and sharing the products of fellow designers from companies TheHrdWood and Quiet Form.
The designers have been recognized for their commitment to sustainability, including using recycled cotton and reclaimed wood. “Sustainability is really a marker of the future. We launched our upcycled program. Some of our customers don’t even know that they can reuse something. It’s more about changing someone’s mind,” said Katerina.
The “Ukraine Humanitarian Support Through Diaspora Engagement” project strengthens cooperation with Ukrainian diaspora organizations and the Government of Ukraine. The project enhances the impact of diasporas’ contributions to Ukraine’s humanitarian needs and its social and economic recovery through building greater synergies.