After New York, I Am U Are platform celebrates Ukrainian creators in Los Angeles

By

Chenu Alexis

Published
Nov 21, 2023

Five months after spotlighting 150 Ukrainian designers in a three-day New York City event, the offline and online platform I Am U Are will show from December 1-3 at 5580 Adams Boulevard in Culver City, Los Angeles.

Founded by Gogola agency CEO Anna Pagava and hospitality specialist Kristina Skripka, I Am U Are is a multi-category retail platform that showcases and sells Ukrainian brands in the product design, crafts, fashion and art categories on the US market.
 
“Russian aggression affected the majority of creative business in Ukraine,” said Pagava and Skripka. “Half of the companies operating in the creative industry bore significant losses. Most had to reduce either staff or salaries, and naturally, go through revenue decrease: 8 out 10 companies did not have foreign customers systematically. I Am U Are is a platform for empowering the Ukrainian creative economy. Our mission is to establish cooperation between the Ukrainian brands and the American community for theses brands to live through the outcome of war. And for the whole industry to thrive and prosper.”

The occasion will showcase 31 fashion brands and 21 accessories brands among which are worldwide known fashion brands like Bevza, Ruslan Baginskiy, Frolov, Zhilyova, Gunia Project, Personal Parade, Anna October, Olena Mityrina and numerous others, “which have won the admiration of global A-list celebrities." 15 arts creators, six technological startups, 18 ceramic makers, 39 object designers, 21 book/publishing participants and 10 creators will represent transcendental Ukraine sections and five business in cross fields, will complete the selection.

 
November 30 will be dedicated to professionals featuring a press tour and an opening night, welcome drinks, speeches of founders and charity auctions. December 1st will feature a market day for vendors at 11 am and panel discussions from 3 pm to 6 pm held in partnership with Razom for Ukraine, a non-profit human rights organization. Among the various topics, 'Power of Innovation: Democracy Driven by Millenials', 'Power of Movies: Connecting Cultural Narratives,' and “Power of Art: Nothing Can Stop the Process' will be discussed.
 
The main showcase will be opened to general admission on Friday between 6p.m. and 10p.m. and Saturday and Sunday between 11a.m. and 8p.m. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite for $29. All proceeds will be donated to charity partner Nova Ukraine to fund children education.
 
Founded in 2022 as a small charity exhibition in Los Angeles, where Pagava has lived for the past five years, I Am U Are has evolved into a phenomenal large-scale exhibition organized in New York in 2023. The online sales platform was launched in August 2023.