preserve traditions
preserve traditions
MAPICO is a brand based on the traditional technology of hand weaving from Ukraine's Carpathian Mountains
A century ago, a traditional craft in the Carpathian mountains was born. The indigenous population of the region (Hutsuls) called it "lizhnyk". A traditional lizhnyk – is a thick woolen, mostly pattern-woven product with a textured surface. It was one of the most important things in the household of Hutsuls. They were used to cover the bed, stove, and benches, floor, used as a blanket, and as a pillow during sleep.
Also in this area, for many years, the habitual clothing of shepherds was "gunia" (or "gunia-kotsovanya") – outerwear made of woven cloth, into which twisted strands of wool are woven, which makes the finished product look more like a sheepskin coat. It is really beautiful and practical outwear. This type of textile we use for MAPICO armchairs and poufs.
In recent years, many Ukrainian designers have turned to traditional crafts in their works.
how mapico was born
“While traveling through the Ukrainian Carpathians and meeting the Hutsul masters of lizhnikarstvo, I was inspired to create the Ukrainian brand Mapico, the main goal of which is to preserve and modernize the ancient Ukrainian tradition”.
Mariia Puliaieva
Designer, mapico founder
materials
The material for rugs, pillows, and blankets is wool from sheep grazing on the slopes of the Carpathians. Most often we use unbleached, undyed fibers. These are the natural colors of sheep's wool - white, light, and dark gray shades. For furniture, we use ashwood and cover it with high-quality Austrian varnish. And, finally, homespun hemp linen.
making process
The full process of making wool textiles has not changed for centuries. Until now, after the canvas flows out, it is thrown into a "valilo" – a special structure on a mountain river. In the valilo, rugs are rinsed for 4-10 hours, washed well, and shrink, becoming denser. Further, the finished product is dried in free mountain air. Exactly as it used to do this back in the day.
