CHIANG MAI, THAILAND – In early December 2025, a major presentation of Russian design will take place within the framework of Chiang Mai Design Week, organized by the Russian-Thai Business Council (RTBC). The project, titled "Russian Soul: modern heritage", will showcase contemporary interpretations of traditional crafts and current Russian design trends at one of Southeast Asia's most significant creative platforms.
The exhibition, arranged across three thematic zones – "Russian North" , "Golden Ring", and "The Steppes" – will demonstrate the full spectrum of Russian creative thought and the country's cultural diversity. Visitors will be able to trace the path from centuries-old traditions to current trends through more than 150 unique items from 20 Russian brands and master artisans.
The Full Spectrum of Russian Design: From Tradition to Innovation
Key representatives of the Russian design industry will participate in the project:
Traditional Crafts and Heritage:
• Gusewsky Crystal Factory – world-renowned standard of crystal quality and artistry
• Gzhel Association – world-famous blue-and-white porcelain
• Vladimiro-Suzdal Patterns – guardian of unique painting techniques with traditional ornaments
• Orenshal – weightless and warm down shawls that have become a cultural code
• Palekh Watch – unique timepieces with dials painted in Palekh lacquer miniature technique
• Tvorenie – boxes and shawls inspired by fairy-tale motifs of Palekh
Contemporary Brands:
• DressbyStesha – elegant contemporary fashion with references to Russian romanticism
• SelSovet – brand reinterpreting archival aesthetics in contemporary silhouettes
• KoKo – modern headdress-kokoshniks connecting past and present
• Gayana – exquisite scarves and accessories building a dialogue between Russian and Asian ornamentation
• Cocos by Abrau Durso – multifaceted lifestyle brand embodying the philosophy of resort harmony
• Tonka Perfumes Moscow – space fragrances elevated to high art
Honored Artists of Russia: Nikolai Glukhov, Alexander Vetrov, Evgeny Antonov
Contemporary Masters: Diana Belousova, Evgenia Lapshakova, Daria Chirkova, Irina Suchkova, Svetlana Pavlova
Education as part of cultural dialogue
A distinctive feature of the Russian program will be the educational component presented by the HSE University School of Design – one of the flagship institutions of Russian design education. HSE specialists will conduct a series of lectures and workshops dedicated to researching the cultural code and its translation into contemporary projects.
First-Hand
"For us, Chiang Mai with its rich creative heritage is an ideal partner for dialogue," notes Vladimir Kovalev, Executive Director of the RTBC. "Our task is to demonstrate that Russian design is a living organism that combines rich cultural heritage with modern creative solutions. We aim to present many well-known Russian brands at the exhibition venue, 'discovering' them for the Thai audience with the goal of building long-term connections between businesses and simply talented people of both countries."
The "Russian Soul: modern heritage" exhibition will become a vivid statement that Russian design is ready for active dialogue on the international stage, offering a unique vision where past and future exist in harmonious balance.
Background information:
The Russia-Thai Business Council (RTBC) unites over 60 companies from various economic sectors. The Council's main objectives are expanding business contacts, promoting mutual investments, and organizing constructive dialogue between the business communities of Russia and Thailand.
Chiang Mai Design Week is an annual key event in the creative industries of Southeast Asia. The exhibition showcases the region's best design projects that combine traditional crafts with contemporary trends. The event includes educational programs and business forums that contribute to the development of the creative economy and international cultural exchange.
The exhibition, arranged across three thematic zones – "Russian North" , "Golden Ring", and "The Steppes" – will demonstrate the full spectrum of Russian creative thought and the country's cultural diversity. Visitors will be able to trace the path from centuries-old traditions to current trends through more than 150 unique items from 20 Russian brands and master artisans.
The Full Spectrum of Russian Design: From Tradition to Innovation
Key representatives of the Russian design industry will participate in the project:
Traditional Crafts and Heritage:
• Gusewsky Crystal Factory – world-renowned standard of crystal quality and artistry
• Gzhel Association – world-famous blue-and-white porcelain
• Vladimiro-Suzdal Patterns – guardian of unique painting techniques with traditional ornaments
• Orenshal – weightless and warm down shawls that have become a cultural code
• Palekh Watch – unique timepieces with dials painted in Palekh lacquer miniature technique
• Tvorenie – boxes and shawls inspired by fairy-tale motifs of Palekh
Contemporary Brands:
• DressbyStesha – elegant contemporary fashion with references to Russian romanticism
• SelSovet – brand reinterpreting archival aesthetics in contemporary silhouettes
• KoKo – modern headdress-kokoshniks connecting past and present
• Gayana – exquisite scarves and accessories building a dialogue between Russian and Asian ornamentation
• Cocos by Abrau Durso – multifaceted lifestyle brand embodying the philosophy of resort harmony
• Tonka Perfumes Moscow – space fragrances elevated to high art
Honored Artists of Russia: Nikolai Glukhov, Alexander Vetrov, Evgeny Antonov
Contemporary Masters: Diana Belousova, Evgenia Lapshakova, Daria Chirkova, Irina Suchkova, Svetlana Pavlova
Education as part of cultural dialogue
A distinctive feature of the Russian program will be the educational component presented by the HSE University School of Design – one of the flagship institutions of Russian design education. HSE specialists will conduct a series of lectures and workshops dedicated to researching the cultural code and its translation into contemporary projects.
First-Hand
"For us, Chiang Mai with its rich creative heritage is an ideal partner for dialogue," notes Vladimir Kovalev, Executive Director of the RTBC. "Our task is to demonstrate that Russian design is a living organism that combines rich cultural heritage with modern creative solutions. We aim to present many well-known Russian brands at the exhibition venue, 'discovering' them for the Thai audience with the goal of building long-term connections between businesses and simply talented people of both countries."
The "Russian Soul: modern heritage" exhibition will become a vivid statement that Russian design is ready for active dialogue on the international stage, offering a unique vision where past and future exist in harmonious balance.
Background information:
The Russia-Thai Business Council (RTBC) unites over 60 companies from various economic sectors. The Council's main objectives are expanding business contacts, promoting mutual investments, and organizing constructive dialogue between the business communities of Russia and Thailand.
Chiang Mai Design Week is an annual key event in the creative industries of Southeast Asia. The exhibition showcases the region's best design projects that combine traditional crafts with contemporary trends. The event includes educational programs and business forums that contribute to the development of the creative economy and international cultural exchange.