THE BLOOMS COLLECTION IS INSPIRED BY THE FLORAL MOVEMENT OF ART NOUVEAU

Ukrainian brand PODYH opens a new chapter of its story with the collection “Art Nouveau. Chapter 1: Blooms”. This work marks the beginning of a large-scale year-long exploration of the Art Nouveau style, in which each drop will be dedicated to a specific geography and mood within this architectural movement.

For the brand, it is an opportunity to immerse itself in the philosophy of the “total work of art” (Gesamtkunstwerk), where architecture, interior design and decor merge into a single living organism. In this style, structure does not exist separately from nature: fluid lines, botanical motifs and a sense of continuous motion permeate everything — from wrought metal and stucco to the texture of stone and the light passing through glass.

The first chapter of the series turns to the origins of floral Art Nouveau in Belgium, France and Spain. The collection enters into a dialogue with the interiors of Victor Horta’s Brussels townhouses, the iconic Paris Métro entrances by Hector Guimard, and the organic façades of Barcelona. Woven seamlessly into this European context is a distinctly Ukrainian code: Kyiv’s “House with Irises” becomes a full-fledged participant in this architectural journey, evoking the shared cultural rhythms of that era.

“For me, Art Nouveau is a style that transforms a cold form into something vivid and emotional. I was fascinated by how delicate metal lines, the plasticity of concrete and blooming bas-reliefs could be translated into refined garments — how the fluidity of façades would flow into feminine silhouettes, and sculptural decor would become the basis for floral accents. I wanted to preserve PODYH’s architectural rigor so that the minimalist form became a canvas for the flower that completes the look,” says designer Daria Plaksiuk.

Flowers that “break through” stone and animate strict architectural forms become the central motif of the collection. Irises, hydrangeas and wild roses appear as striking accents rendered in intricate handcraft techniques. One of the collection’s most emblematic pieces is the capital-dress: its austere silhouette and leather texture embody the monolithic nature of architecture, which suddenly bursts into bloom with a lush, voluminous bouquet. Special attention is given to Kyiv’s heritage: the architectural plasticity of the “House with Irises” is reflected in the lines of the suits, while its floral reliefs come to life in the decoration of jackets and leather brooches.

The palette of the collection is an ode to the materiality of the era. It unfolds in deep shades of patinated copper and oxidized metal, transitions into mineral tones of damp concrete, and culminates in a warm timber-inspired spectrum — from sandy beige to dark chocolate. Pure white within this ensemble represents the air and light that permeate the space.

  • The collection is complemented by two signature bag designs that exist on the edge between functional design and pure art. The bas-relief bag references Barcelona’s floral architectural decor: thanks to an internal frame, the leather acquires a sculptural volume, echoing the relief of stone façades.

The hydrangea bag, by contrast, translates Art Nouveau aesthetics from interior into accessory: inspired by decorative wall panels, it is composed of five hundred individually hand-shaped flowers. It is a true objet d’art that embodies the idea of “blooming architecture” and transforms the bag into a wearable sculpture.