Project
Mapico is a Ukrainian brand that offers contemporary furniture and home decor made using traditional handcrafting methods. It was founded by Maria Pulayeva, who was inspired to create it during her travels through the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains and her interactions with the Hutsul bedding artisans. The brand's primary objective is to preserve and modernize the ancient Ukrainian tradition. Mapico values the traditional production process, which is eco-friendly and aligns with society's increasing demand for sustainable consumption.
Our main goal was to create a website that caters to the Western market. We wanted to showcase the brand and make direct sales possible through Shopify. To achieve this, we opted for a minimalist design with a subdued color palette. Additionally, we made it a priority to share the rich history of traditional Ukrainian craft. - 'lizhnykarstvo'.
Brand History
Centuries ago, in the mountainous villages of Hutsulschyna, a traditional craft was born - 'lizhnykarstvo' (bedding making). The Hutsul people valued the lizhnyk (woolen blanket) greatly in their daily lives. It was believed that the more lizhnyks a household possessed, the wealthier and more hardworking the family was considered. These carefully crafted items became genuine symbols of prosperity and fertility, particularly important in wedding ceremonial culture.
Even today, the ancient skill of weaving woolen fabric on hand looms has been kept alive. The lizhnyk is a versatile item that can serve as a blanket, carpet and cover for benches, carriages, and horses. Furthermore, they produce 'guni', which are outerwear garments crafted from woven fabric and twisted woolen strands, resulting in a finished product that resembles sheepskin coats.
Designer Maria Pulayeva drew inspiration from her journey through the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains and her interaction with the Hutsul bedding artisans. This inspired her to create the Ukrainian brand Mapico, whose primary goal is preserving and modernizing the ancient Ukrainian tradition.
The process of creation the lizhnyk (woolen blanket)
Firstly, it is essential to wash the newly sheared wool to remove the natural grease and dirt that accumulates while the sheep are grazing in the fields. Afterward, the wool is boiled in hot water and rinsed in cold river water. Then, the wool is sorted and, if necessary, dyed before being organized by colors, ranging from light to dark. The wool is then packed into bags, forming 'kuzhil,' which is the raw material for spinning. The master weaver sketches the design of the future lizhnyk before the spun threads are threaded into the loom, and the work begins. If there are any errors during the process, the work is undone. Once the lizhnyk is woven, it remains quite voluminous, and its final appearance is achieved with the help of mountain water. The finished products are then taken to a 'valilo' near the river, which is a wooden vat through which a part of the river flows. It is pressed, as if in a washing machine, under the high pressure of the mountain water. The 'valilo' works like an old-fashioned washing machine with a centrifuge but is entirely wood-made. This process takes about four hours in summer and 8-9 hours in winter. The water stream beats against the fabric, pushing and compressing it, causing the lizhnyk to shrink and condense. During this process, the threads bind together, and the lizhnyk gains strength while reducing its size. After the felting process, the lizhnyk is dried and brushed, and voilà - the beautiful lizhnyk is ready!
Product page
Thanks to high-quality photos and a user-friendly gallery, customers can examine the product and material textures in detail. For interior designers, we've included a link to a 3D model. Our products are available only through custom orders and come with a corresponding form, allowing you to request customization for specific items. Additionally, there's a feature to add related products, such as pillow fillings, to enhance the overall shopping experience. For convenience, product dimensions are provided in multiple metric systems.
Events
The Mapico brand actively participates in international exhibitions of furniture and home decor design. Mapico's products have been showcased multiple times in Paris, as well as in Vilnius and Berlin. Hence, it was crucial to create an easy-to-use gallery to keep customers updated and informed about the recent happenings in the Mapico's world.
Customization
The Mapico brand provides personalized products that are made-to-order. You can find the entire customization process on our website, including how to place your order, how we create your personalized item, and how we deliver it to you. To make the decision-making process easier, we also provide helpful information. Additionally, we have a calculator that can estimate the cost of your product based on your specifications, making it more convenient for you.
