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Go to shop15 April 2025
Clean and at the same time bold lines characterize the seat that pushes the company’s style towards experimentation.
Vladislav Tolochko is a young Ukrainian designer with very clear ideas about his approach to the project: the market is saturated and there is a need to innovate to create collections that have a real impact on the perception of the world around us. For him, design is not just a job but also the tool to express his emotions, his thoughts and his sensations. He presents himself as an artist whose creativity is projected into everyday life through the furniture and accessories he designs.
The result is an interesting mix of formal innovation and functionality, which is clearly expressed in the Softy armchair, designed for Potocco and among the first new products to be presented by the company at the Salone del Mobile. Generous shapes and roundness are the two most evident characteristics, and as the designer himself says, softness and individuality are an intentionally sought result.
What is the idea behind Softy?
Softy is a story of freedom, movement, and uniqueness, brought to life through a design that blends aesthetics and comfort. Inspired by the image of wild animals freely running across endless meadows, it reflects their grace, individuality and strength. This soft armchair creates a balance between flowing lines, essential geometries and refined softness.
How did the meeting with Potocco come about and what was the connection between you and them?
I have been following Potocco for several years now and have been truly inspired by their approach to furniture production. I admire how they value their history, carefully curate each collection, and pay close attention to design details. It seems that we share similar principles and priorities in our work. The synergy between a professional furniture manufacturer and a designer always leads to outstanding results, and the Softy chair collection is a prime example of that. Potocco is a multifaceted brand that embraces diverse approaches and practices, allowing everyone to find their own favorite piece within their assortment.
In what kind of context do you imagine Softy?
When creating Softy, my focus was on making it a completely self-sufficient object—one that can complement any space while remaining its focal point, independent of the surrounding environment. I believe Softy is a perfect fit for both residential and commercial interiors.
In general, what are your priorities when approaching a new furniture design project?
Every collection for me is like a blank canvas. I explore shapes and lines anew, analyze the world around me, and seek to bring another unique object into the world of design. I don’t confine myself to rigid frameworks or standards, as they only limit creativity. Instead, I strive to work in a multifaceted way, achieving a different result each time. This approach helps expand my thinking and perspective. By balancing function and aesthetics, I aim to create not just furniture, but unique objects that challenge both myself and the manufacturer. After all, the key is to keep evolving and never settle.
Talking about home interiors, what do you think we really need today?
In my opinion, the furniture and home décor market is already saturated. Instead of focusing on specific pieces, we should shift our attention to new design approaches, the exploration of innovative techniques, and the search for unique materials. These are the kinds of objects that will become iconic a hundred years from now.
