Happy 10th anniversary, Ruslan Bagsky! one Ten years of business This is an important milestone anyway, but more importantly, the Kiev-based brand has been growing continuously and resiliently over the past three years (from creativity to commerce, production to distribution), despite Russia’s infringement of Ukraine.
Today, the label behind the hat worn by Beyoncé, Madonna, and many other bold names will reveal an impressive acquisition on the Galeries Lafayette, which includes all 12 windows facing Bolelevard Haussmann, a pop-up at the store entrance and a larger store under the historic Cuplawistic Cupla.
Each window presents a happy, whimsical vignette with the “Stories of Ruslan Baginskiy”, showing how these hats and various accessories can contain a larger narrative that complements traditional craftsmanship and modern culture. In one, there is a series of tall straws juxtaposed with the videos of artisans weaving and forming hats. In another playful, color-impaired body, nodded to Kazimir Malevich. The Surreal Hat Gargantuan Scale is an oversized baker boy hat (the brand’s heroic items), as well as images of various movements taken along the Odesa coastline or the Carpathians to enjoy the tranquility of the house.
Baginskiy often says that his hats (whether it’s a braided fedora and cornice, hand-dyed baseball caps and beanies, denim berets or other styles) are a sound for the wider world. “We need to do our best to demonstrate Ukraine’s creativity and culture,” said Baginskiy, who was appointed as cultural ambassador by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry in 2023. “So, this is very important to us.”
The brand has several other central figures, including Petro Yaskinsky, co-founder of Victoria Semerei, who oversees the business side, and Anastasia Padalka, who handles the newsletter. His mother, Lilia Baginska, has been on board since the early days and is currently the production director in Ukraine.
Whenever the team arrives in Paris, just like the opening ceremony (activation lasts until August 25), they get rid of extended travel and logistical challenges. It was a miracle, though, that was a freight truck with all the materials. “Ten years, that’s it; every delivery is a miracle,” Padka said.
Even though the war continues and Baginskiy can tell stories about his team, loved ones and all the ways in which his business feels as if it’s a time to celebrate.
