+kouple was founded in 2014 in Kyiv by the couple Den and Katerina Vakhrameyev. In November 2015, the official online store was launched. Since then, the company has expanded to over 40 countries with worldwide shipping.
+kouple is one of the leading companies that has shaped the object design industry in Ukraine. Simplification and standardization are integral components of their design style. The company is built on the principles of clean, minimalist lines and forms of objects. The team's perception is based on the simplicity of design, ease of application, and pleasant textures.
Founder of the Berlin-based brand GANTLights, Stefan Gant, approached +kouple. Deeply shocked by Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine, the designer felt an immediate connection when he came across the +kouple label by chance.
'The idea of creating a product together and using the proceeds for the benefit of the Ukrainian people naturally resonated with the desire to actively help. We firmly believe that collaboration and solidarity are crucial in such challenging times.' said Stefan Gant, the founder of GANTLights.
The majority of the proceeds will be used to purchase evacuation vehicles to serve in the Donetsk region.
The design idea for the BLOCK lamp originated from Den Vakhrameyev, based on a concrete construction block that was previously used in construction but, with the onset of the full-scale invasion, served to create defensive barriers on roads throughout Ukraine. Thus, these concrete blocks became recognizable urban units in city landscapes.
The collaboration between the two brands encompasses not only the development of the design idea but also the integration of manufactured components. GANTlights produces the concrete part in Berlin. Fully supporting Ukrainian suppliers, +kouple manufactures the metal lampshade in Ternopil, the electrical cord in Vinnytsia, the textile ribbon in Kharkiv, and the powder coating in Kyiv.