Pakistan’s premier home couture brand, YOCA – led by architects Sarah NajmiBilgrami, ZaydBilgrami and AhsanNajmi, celebrated 70 glorious years of Independence with a unique and rich amalgamation of architecture and history at their bespoke showroom in Karachi on 17th August 2017.
YOCA unveiled an exclusively designed ‘Independence Day’ Project titled ‘Building Pakistan One Design at a Time’. Payinga patriotic tribute to three sets of generations, the project exhibited the map of Karachi, in a contemporary stylized fashion –embedded on foyer tables, making for the perfect entrance into any abode. The base comprised a unique print of Pakistan’s most iconic buildings built on architectural elements making waves on the base of the table. Crafted using two diverse tones of two separate wood types, the piece delved into the prominence of all Pakistani ethnicities. In a nutshell, it’s a subtle elucidation of everything Pakistani.
YOCA also displayed a “Distinctive Projection” highlighting the spirit of Independence and how our natio, as we know today, got pieced together. The cushions at YOCA inhibited a personality of their own – enveloped by traditional architectural rudiments such as Jharokas and Darwaze – making it the ultimate patriotic collage.
An exquisite range of YOCA’s in-house hand-loomed silk fashioned from 99% pure silk thread and superior quality imported skins, guaranteed to add a luxe touch to your personal spaces, were also exhibited alongside the prestigious ‘Silver A’ Design Award’ winner ‘Amoeba – The Coffee Table’at the event.
Established in 2006, YOCA, or Young Collective Artists, is a premium Home Couture brand that surfaced from the synergies between three artists; ZaydBilgrami, AhsanNajmi and Sarah NajmiBilgrami who together, bring with them a combination of inspirational creativity, seasoned industry exposure and academic design credentials from the coveted Rhode Island School of Design. The three artists represent a second generation of experts, whose predecessors have to their credit the 35 year architectural practice, NajmiBilgrami Collaborative Ltd (NBCL), where all three team members are also partners. YOCA’s products are inspired by high-end design where each piece is uniquely conceived from universal inspirations be it with whom YOCA’s artisans interact, the places they visit, the evolving art world, fashion, music; or indeed something as simple as a conversation with a loved one. YOCA is committed to producing superior luxury products, paying close attention to detail and craftsmanship. The team travels worldwide to select only the finest materials, mostly working with solid woods such as rosewood, beech and teak. YOCA is also known to produce their own fabrics and leathers for upholstery on some of their pieces. The team goes to great lengths to ensure an impeccable finished product and a satisfied client. In 2013, YOCA also introduced Pakistan’s first one of a kind collaborative designer series with acclaimed couturier Hassan SheheryarYasin.This was followed by launch of “Bambini” in 2015 – a selection of one of a kind furniture pieces complemented by a limited edition line of childrenswear. In the same year, the team was honored by the Architectural Digest, India as one of the “50 Most Influential Names in Architecture & Design” in 2015.