A few weeks ago, a group of Hungarian design-fans launched an online campaign. The aim of the #együttahazaitervezőkért initiative is to call attention to the lovable objects and products of Hungarian designers. The project was launched by a handful of design fans on Instagram, and since then, the hashtag urging for joining forces has appeared in more than a hundred posts and IGTV videos.
The mind behind the campaign promoting the products of Hungarian designers is design theorist Kitti Mayer, the editor of HYPEANDHYPER. Just like in her projects in general, Kitti once again felt that she wanted to help Hungarian designers in one way or another. She shared her first live Instagram video in early November, in which she presented her favorite Hungarian brands. Several videos have been made since then, in which in addition to Kitti, various creators close to her heart also appear: so far, jewelry designer Fruzsi Fekete, the founder of Fruzsi Fekete Jewelry and visual artist Anikó Herbert showed their own work.
Petra Hoffmann, the founder of Stilblog also played a key role in turning the former one man show into a campaign. Kitti and Petra coined the #együttahazaitervezőkért hashtag together, and invited other authentic characters – design managers, designers, bloggers – to join them. And there was no stopping from here: each of them contributed to the campaign and everyone conveyed the same message in their own preferred format – through lives, Insta stories or posts: “Let’s support Hungarian designers together”. Come and meet the ambassadors of Hungarian design and join the campaign!
Petra Hoffmann – Stilblog
Why did you join the initiative?
Design, object and visual culture fundamentally determines the quality of our environment, and thus our way of thinking and well-being, too. This is an incredibly complex field – to me this is exactly what gives its appeal –, and the works of every Hungarian designer, craftsman and designer make it richer, more colorful and more valuable. I consider myself extremely lucky for having been able to work in this field for more than 10 years. As a result of the pandemic, the many times under-capitalized Hungarian design small businesses found themselves in an extremely unpredictable and challenging situation, and so I think that now, around Christmas 2020, it is particularly important to support them, to buy gifts from them to our loved ones, as every purchase could mean a lot in these difficult months. In addition to providing support, introducing as many Hungarian artists and designers as possible to the widest possible audience is also an important goal, thus emphasizing the special values inherent in one of a kind, hand-made design products.
What does Hungarian design mean to you?
To me, design is a sort of unique mindset: a complex approach to a question, task or problem, in which functional and aesthetic solutions are equally important, as both contribute to the user experience greatly. All this is very important in creating my own environment, too: I adore well-functioning, beautiful objects and visual solutions.
Over the many years spent in the field of Hungarian design, I got to know many designers and creators, and many times these acquaintances turned into important friendships, too, thus I am not only committed to the topic professionally, but in an emotional sense, too. Therefore I consider it my obligation to do everything I can to support those concerned, as it is about my closest friends, whose committed work, diligence and talent I appreciate very much.
Which Hungarian brand do you recommend to our readers?
I cannot and will not highlight a single brand, this is the reason why the #együttahazaitervezőkért hashtag was created on Instagram, so that we could collect the brands and products that we are especially fond of, hoping that we can inspire many others.
Bianka Geiger – design theorist, design manager
Why did you join the initiative?
I joined because as a manager and a theorist I have been following the life of countless design and gastronomy brands from up close. I know progress is difficult for them – survival requires incredible strength and stamina. The year 2020 posed even more challenges for them, and I think it is my responsibility to talk about them and to show how fantastic things they create.
What does Hungarian design mean to you?
To me, Hungarian design is the proof that if someone is talented and creates from their heart, their product will have a place on the market and an audience. May it be fashion, jewelry, objects or food, we have huge talents and incredible innovators also on a regional level. At the same time Hungarian design is also familiar, friendly, lovable and playful – and we need it as badly as any kind of chocolate dessert needs a pinch of salt.
Which Hungarian brand do you recommend to our readers?
First and foremost I would like to recommend Back2Baget, which is a fashion brand that grew out of a scrapyard, manufacturing cool bags and clothing items using air sacs and safety belts. I also recommend the Neongrey brand, who create reinvented but lovable icon objects, like colored wall mirrors and slide holders in their small workshop in Népsziget with incredible hand tools, using special wooden materials and some neon paint. I could also mention BORIBIANKA: even though I don’t work with her anymore, I am still a great fan. And when it comes to food, many manufactories and workshops await your orders with love.
Anita Korn – Ruhastory
Why did you join the initiative?
It has been quite obvious to me for some time that if I don’t buy a pre-loved item, then I choose clothes and accessories from Hungarian designers. This is one of the basics of sustainable fashion for me. In the current situation it is more important than ever to support Hungarian small businesses and designers, so that they can place the “open” sign on their shops and online stores after the epidemic, too.
What does Hungarian design mean to you?
To me, Hungarian design is closely linked to the concepts of personality, connection, consciousness and value. I know that if I buy something from them, I support their dreams or their seamstresses with my purchase. If I get a package from them, it will contain a nice message for sure, giving it all an extra meaning, and so I won’t be the buyer of a foreign, distant mass product. The majority of Hungarian brands manufacture distinguishable, recognizable and of course high-quality products. If you fill your wardrobe or home with these, they will have a long life for sure – and time to get “stories” (Anita has a series titled „Ruhastory”, where she interviews famous people and designers about their favorite clothing items – the Ed).
Which Hungarian brand do you recommend to our readers?
The Tomcsanyi brand is one of my not-so-secret favorites, and on top, this year they launched a homewear collection, and I think there is no one who wouldn’t love a piece of clothing or a jogger from Dóri. If you are looking for smaller gifts, a mask by Tomcsányi will look good under the tree for sure.
Eszter Katona – Babyberry
Why did you join the initiative?
On the one hand, supporting Hungarian designers and small businesses is very important to me, too. This was partly the reason why I called the Pici Piac fair series to life, which provided an opportunity to hundreds of Hungarian brands in the past more than 5 years for introducing themselves, and today, the babyberry online store and showroom also offers the products of more than ten Hungarian design brands. On the other hand, my best friend from high school is one of the minds behind the initiative, and so it was more than obvious that I would join her – and support her idea in every way I can.
What does Hungarian design mean to you?
I am primarily familiar with baby and kids products, and I am delighted to know so many talented Hungarian creators. I see that our designers keep a close eye on foreign design trends and use them as inspiration, but they also bring their own creativity and ideas to designing their products, this way making them truly lovable and one of a kind. I consider it very important to purchase from Hungarian businesses, as this way we can support their work, and as the products are manufactured here, in Hungary, in our direct environment, we not only take home their work, but also a part of their story with our purchases.
Which Hungarian brand do you recommend to our readers?
At the moment perhaps the products of the Macramebyszkriszi brand are the closest to my heart. Kriszti’s macrames are not only breathtakingly beautiful and finely detailed, but are also truly durable and timeless pieces, as when they are no longer used in the kids’ room, they can be used just as well in any other room of the house. On top of it all, Kriszti is a wonderful person: as the latest new talent in my store, I honestly root for her and wish her great success!
Katalin Nádas-Nagy – Designia.hu
Why did you join the initiative?
We have so many talents in this unique domestic market, where it is not easy to get by as a designer even amongst normal circumstances. It was obvious that we needed to join forces in the extremely hard situation this year has brought to us. Now we can do this with them and for them in the online space. We already know many Hungarian designers, and so this matter is important to us also on a personal level. The entire Designia team hopes that with the help of the campaign, Hungarian design will reach people who perhaps have not been familiar with this world before.
What does Hungarian design mean to you?
Friendships – with designers and other design managers –, professional challenges in relation to designia.hu, conscious choices in shopping, quality-based life and reviving traditional crafts. A wardrobe and living area customized to one’s personality, but mainly the stories and ideas hiding behind design products.
Which Hungarian brand do you recommend to our readers?
I have especially dear memories in relation to Adrien Nagy’s brand Rienne Bride: this is where my bridal headpiece was made based on that of my great grandmother and grandmother. Adrien is incredibly humble towards and committed to her work. I love her both as a person and a designer, thus I have already purchased items of her brand Rienne Creations, too. Adrien is humble yet firm at the same time, just like her jewelry. I love this exciting contrast in her products, too.
Sára Wertán – About a Home
Why did you join the initiative?
It was no question that I would join, as I am very much driven by the mindset of supporting those who dare to create, be creative and make their dreams come true. I consider encouraging each other to let everyone do what they are good at, what makes them happy and what creates value for others a very strong message in a social sense.
What does Hungarian design mean to you?
To me, Hungarian design means that there is someone not too far from me who works every day to create something and to show a part of themselves. To me, it is very important that the given initiative or project be sustainable and constructive
Which Hungarian brand do you recommend to our readers?
If I can only say one, I would like to highlight Soby Dóri. She creates wonderful jewelry and is a very good person.
Use the #együttahazaitervezőkért hashtag if there is a Hungarian design brand that you’d like to recommend to others! This is a small gesture with which you can help a Hungarian small business survive in these troubled times. This courtesy that you do in the online space means a lot to them. Let’s support Hungarian designers together!
Education and Recreation Center | Marki, Poland
Duvet-inspired collection for times of isolation
