- Modem) What professional experience did you have before starting the showroom activity ?
ART SYNCHUK: My journey in the world of fashion began with journalism. In 2012, I had the honor of winning the prestigious Harper's Bazaar Fashion Forward competition for aspiring fashion journalists in Ukraine. This achievement opened doors for me to contribute articles to renowned magazines like Harper's Bazaar Ukraine and L'Officiel Ukraine.A year after my win, I was invited to help develop a local concept store featuring Ukrainian and Georgian designers, an opportunity I embraced with enthusiasm. It was here that I delved into the world of curating and selling designer collections, laying the foundation for my future endeavors. In 2018, I opened my first showroom in Paris, followed by a second location in Shanghai two years later. Last year, I explored new horizons with a test showroom in New York. Each step has been a thrilling adventure, bringing me closer to my passion for connecting designers with the world.
- Modem) What are the reasons that led you to carry out the showroom activity ?
ART SYNCHUK: The decision to start a showroom was driven by my passion for connecting talented designers with the right audience and my desire to support creative brands in expanding their reach. Having worked in fashion journalism and retail, I gained a deep understanding of the challenges designers face in showcasing their work and finding buyers who truly appreciate their vision. I saw the showroom as a platform to bridge that gap—offering designers a curated space to present their collections and providing buyers with a carefully selected range of unique, high-quality pieces. This activity allows me to combine my love for fashion with my business acumen, fostering meaningful collaborations and contributing to the growth of emerging and established brands
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- Modem) When was the showroom created and where ?
ART SYNCHUK: The showroom was established in 2018 in Paris, the heart of the fashion world. It began as a space to showcase exceptional talent and connect designers with international buyers, leveraging the city's vibrant and influential fashion scene. In 2022, I rebranded the showroom under the name Vetemaze, reflecting its transformation into my personal project. This marked a new chapter, allowing me to fully realize my vision of creating a unique platform for emerging and established designers to thrive.
- Modem) Were the brands that you represent initially all Ukrainian? Are they still mainly Ukrainian today ?
ART SYNCHUK: Initially, we focused exclusively on representing Ukrainian brands, highlighting the incredible talent and craftsmanship of designers from Ukraine. Today, we continue to showcase some of the best Ukrainian brands, such as Nadya Dzyak, Tamar Keburia, Chereshnivska, SAYYA, and Grie, while also introducing the world to emerging yet unique Ukrainian talents like Delegan, Monetre, Tueam's, and Tonua Studio.
At the same time, we have expanded our reach to support exceptional international talents from various corners of the world. These include Subtle Le Nguyen from Vietnam, TAGG and Declara from Turkey, Maet from Albania, Jessie Da Silva from Canada, Maluu from the USA, Georgiela Studio from Spain, and Acceptance Letter Studio from South Korea. This blend of Ukrainian and international creativity allows us to celebrate diversity and innovation in fashion.
- Modem) How do you select the brands that you represent ? (criteria)
ART SYNCHUK: We take a highly strategic and thoughtful approach to selecting the brands we represent. The key criteria include creative vision, where we prioritize designers with a distinctive and innovative aesthetic that resonates with global fashion trends while maintaining originality. Quality and craftsmanship are non-negotiable! Market potential is another crucial factor; we evaluate the commercial viability of each brand to ensure their collections meet the needs of our network of buyers and align with the demands of the international market. A strong brand identity is essential, as we seek designers who can connect with their audience emotionally and aesthetically through cohesive storytelling. Lastly, we value sustainability and innovation, giving preference to brands that incorporate responsible practices or cutting-edge techniques. Our goal is to curate a diverse portfolio of brands that inspire buyers and add value to the global fashion landscape.
Despite of the brands’ own characteristics and aesthetic dimensions, there is a common thread in terms of values, views of what is happening in the world today and shared needs that bring them together around you.
- Modem) What is it that makes their individualities complementary exactly ?
ART SYNCHUK: Despite their unique styles and identities, the brands we represent share common values and perspectives that make them work well together. They are all committed to creativity, innovation, and staying relevant in today’s world. Many address important topics like sustainability, inclusivity, and cultural exchange, which adds depth to their collections. While each brand has its own voice, their shared focus on pushing boundaries and challenging norms creates a strong connection. Their diversity in techniques and cultural backgrounds makes our portfolio richer, and together, they offer a well-rounded selection that appeals to a variety of buyers. This combination of individuality and shared values helps create a dynamic and complementary environment in the showroom.
- Modem) In regards to the needs of sustainable development, how does your showroom act towards the brands it represents. Traceability of collections, reuse of materials, etc.?
ART SYNCHUK: In terms of sustainable development, our showroom actively supports the brands we represent by encouraging practices that promote sustainability, traceability, and responsible use of resources. For example, Chereshnivska is an upcycling and sustainable brand that uses traditional techniques to work with fabrics, creating truly unique pieces like denim made from repurposed materials and shirts crafted from parachute fabric. Delegan also embraces sustainability by incorporating ancient Ukrainian embroidery techniques and working with fabrics in ways that reflect their cultural heritage. They produce limited collections, making each item not only unique but also sustainable and valuable. Another great example is Subtle Le Nguyen, a brand that celebrates Vietnamese cultural heritage by skillfully blending history with contemporary trends. The result is a collection that honors tradition while remaining relevant to today’s fashion scene. Maet, an Albanian brand, stands out with its all-female team, and they actively support initiatives that empower women in their country. These are just a few examples of the brands we represent that are making a positive impact on sustainable development and cultural preservation, demonstrating that fashion can be both beautiful and responsible.
Vetemaze manages the world sales campaigns of almost all the brands it represents. From the beginning of the war in Ukraine until September 2024, Art had to comply with the obligation not to leave Ukraine. Despite of this, every season, he managed to organize and manage the physical presence of the showroom in Paris and of the sales campaigns of his brands remotely.
- Modem) In the particular circumstances for which, in the past seasons, you had to carry out your professional activities remotely, were you able to get the desired feedback from your buyer clients ?
ART SYNCHUK: During the challenging circumstances of the past seasons, especially since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, I was forced to carry out my professional activities remotely, while still being based in Ukraine. Despite facing power blackouts, water and heating cuts, and the overall difficult situation, I made every effort to stay connected with my clients and buyers, always striving to achieve positive outcomes.
I am truly grateful for the unwavering support of Ezio and the Modem Online team throughout these years. Their trust and collaboration have been invaluable, and I am proud to say that, despite the challenges, I was able to maintain strong communication and receive the desired feedback from my buyers. This experience has only strengthened my resolve to continue delivering quality results, even in the most difficult of times.
Since the beginning of Vetemaze, the choice to combine physical and digital activities was the basis of the set up of the showroom activities and also of the role as PR Agency. Today you can once again be physically present in the showroom for sales campaigns.
- Modem) What are your plans to evolve the phisical and digital activity further ?
ART SYNCHUK: To further evolve both our physical and digital activities, I plan to focus on expanding our reach and enhancing the experience for both buyers and customers. Physically, I will continue to grow our showroom presence, hosting more curated events and exploring new cities to connect with diverse international markets. I also aim to collaborate with more emerging designers, creating unique showcases that highlight innovation and craftsmanship. On the digital side, we are working on enhancing our online presence by improving our website and e-commerce capabilities, making it easier for buyers to discover and purchase the brands we represent. We will also look into virtual showrooms and digital events to connect our physical and online presence, helping us stay competitive in both areas.
VETEMAZE is a carefully curated international Sales agency and Wholesale showroom in Paris, NYC, and Shanghai. Currently, we are focused on connecting contemporary fashion labels with global retailers through our cutting-edge B2B showroom platform.
Brand List
Sales Campaign FW 2025-26
PARIS - March 05 - 11, 2025
81 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003
© Modem