Equally inspired by the vibrancy of London life and high fashion that fuels her handbag creations, as by the flora and fauna of her home in West Sussex, Mariya Dykalo has created coveted oil on canvas pieces, acrylic and ink pen works and watercolours that have been turned into prints, silk scarves, textile and embroidery .
Alongside her private commissions Mariya has also created and donated many bespoke pieces for charity bodies such as the Olena Pinchuk Foundation, Blue Marine Foundation, South DownsNational Trust Park and St Mary’s Ukrainian School in London. Her use of vibrant colours, exquisite detailing, bold strokes and innovative use of acrylics in her nature inspired compositions have enabled her to create a distinctive contemporary style.
Art has been pivotal throughout my life, and I’m never without a sketchbook or canvas. From fashion to nature, I’m inspired by my surroundings, and I am constantly trying out new mediums to experiment with. I am endlessly fascinated by the preternatural beauty of flowers; their colours, textures, scent and intricate shapes. It may be their high frequency vibrations that attract me – as well as the bees and butterflies!
I am a passionate advocate of sustainability and the preservation of nature, and have turned my garden into a haven for the bees we keep in West Sussex. Bees are crucial to human survival and biodiversity and, as such, need to be protected and supported,. This is why I have worked alongside the Bee Lines Charity, which has been a part of the South Downs National Park Trust since 2019.
I am a creative spirit through and through. My career has encompassed a blend of Art and Design – beginning in Ukraine, where I studied for my degrees in Fine Art and Fashion, specialising in the design of Leather Accessories. After completing my Master of Arts, I moved to England to join ‘Aspinal of London’ as a Designer for Leather Accessories. I was appointed to the position of Creative Director in 2013. This role allowed me to explore my passion for fashion, design and art, and was the driving force behind the creation of the original Aspinal Handbag Collections – which have been worn by clients such as the Princess of Wales, Gigi Hadid, Jennifer Lopez, Jenna Coleman, Sienna Miller, Selena Gomez, Lily James and Taylor Swift…
My passion for designing and painting also led me into the realm of licensed projects for clothing, eyewear and fragrances, and exploring homeware and dinner sets, expanding my artistic horizons and venturing into new brand categories. I love to see my work come alive in fabrics, decorative items, and on ‘tablescapes’.
Encountering my designs in daily life, for me, is the ideal fusion of Art and Fashion, encapsulating the allure and beauty of the natural world.
