Design for Ukraine: Bocci and Design Miami join forces to raise funds

Design Miami launches Design for Ukraine, a new initiative in collaboration with its international network of creatives, aimed at urgently raising funds for the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. For the project’s first phase, the fair partnered with Canadian lighting design brand Bocci, to raise funds to support GlobalGiving’s efforts on the ground in Ukraine.

The initiative is part of Design Miami's recent expansion into the DMBX curated retail platform, and follows a project presented at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in support of key workers.

‘Since first establishing Design Miami’s expanded digital presence in 2020, we have always looked at ways we can use this platform to support causes that are meaningful to us and our community,’ comments Design Miami CEO Jennifer Roberts. ‘The current crisis in Ukraine has been shocking and deeply disturbing to people across the world, and I think so many of us have felt compelled to contribute in whatever way we can. We’re incredibly grateful to Bocci for their very generous donation and honoured that we can help raise much-needed funds to support GlobalGiving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, which is supplying urgently needed humanitarian aid in the region.’

Available for sale from 29 March 2022 is a range of pieces donated by Bocci’s co-founder and creative director Omer Arbel, some of which were designed and produced specially for this initiative. Works on sale range from $280 to $35,000, and include limited-edition glass chandeliers, lamps, and colourful glassware from sister company OAO Works.

‘The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is devastating, and we feel very strongly about supporting efforts to help those on the ground or fleeing the country,’ comments Arbel. ‘We created pieces across our glasswork collection and are pleased to partner with Design Miami for this initiative, with all the proceeds going to the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund.’

This is the first in a series of design sales in support of the current crisis, with more design pieces from galleries and creatives in the Design Miami community planned for the near future. 

Concludes Roberts: ‘We know that there is not an easy road ahead for those in Ukraine and who have been forced to flee, so [we] are also committed to continuing our support through a second phase of this initiative in the coming months.’ 

For more information and to shop the Design for Ukraine initiative, go to designmiami.com

Also see our round-up of more art and design sales for Ukraine happening now.