Ukrainian milliner Ruslan Baginskiy takes over Galeries Lafayette windows

What: Ukrainian milliner Ruslan Baginskiy takes over Galeries Lafayette's main entrance and twelve windows with an immersive installation celebrating Ukrainian culture and craftsmanship, alongside a six-month shop-in-shop.

Why it is important: This collaboration demonstrates how department stores can leverage window displays to combine cultural storytelling with commercial success, while supporting emerging designers and creating meaningful connections with global audiences.

Ruslan Baginskiy's takeover of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann marks a significant retail moment, featuring a dramatic main entrance display and twelve themed windows from Tuesday through August 25. The installation, celebrating the brand's tenth anniversary, showcases Ukrainian craftsmanship through innovative displays including large-scale wicker monograms, wheat spikelets, and animated cherry blossom petals, symbolising peace in Ukrainian literature.
The collaboration extends beyond visual merchandising with a 450-square-foot shop-in-shop on the department store's second floor, strategically positioned near fashion brands like Lemaire, Loulou de Saison, and Ami Paris. Running through February 2026, the space will offer a comprehensive range including headwear, bags, candles, jewellery, and newly introduced bag charms. The brand, which won the ANDAM accessories prize in 2023, has gained international recognition through celebrity endorsements and notable collaborations, including custom pieces for Beyoncé's tours and the British royal family. 

IADS Notes: Ruslan Baginskiy's window takeover at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann follows a series of successful creative collaborations throughout 2024-2025. In February 2025, Marine Serre's window display demonstrated how the department store leverages such partnerships to create immersive brand experiences. The Ukrainian milliner's installation, featuring cultural elements like wheat spikelets and cherry blossoms, aligns with Galeries Lafayette's broader strategy of cultural retail marketing, as seen in March 2025 with their African designers showcase. This approach to window displays has proven effective, with November 2024 data showing a 15% sales increase driven by such experiential initiatives. The timing of this collaboration is particularly significant as it coincides with the store's comprehensive brand portfolio enhancement, including recent additions like Phoebe Philo, demonstrating how heritage retailers can successfully balance cultural storytelling with luxury positioning.