From indigenous innovation to modern reimagination

In the vast region of the Arctic, survival was once measured by a few millimeters of space. For the Sakha people, the charapchy—traditional snow goggles—were a masterpiece of functionality, with narrow horizontal slits to protect the eyes from the intense glare of sun on snow. These were a necessary form of protection that came from a deep understanding of the environment. 

Today, Sakha designer Aina Petrova is bringing this ancestral tool into the modern era through her brand, URSUUNA, bridging the gap between tradition and contemporary life. She began working with metal about two years ago, drawn to the traditional objects of her culture. Among them, the charapchy stood out to her as a tool for survival and a symbol of cultural identity. 

Petrova’s work is as much about cultural continuity as it is about creative revival. By combining metals like silver and brass with mammoth ivory sourced directly from her homeland in the Sakha Republic, she is able to give each piece meaning. “These materials feel meaningful to me because they carry a connection to the land and to traditional craftsmanship,” she explains. “When I combine them, I think about their natural character—their texture, weight, and energy—and try to pair them in a way that feels balanced and respectful, letting each material speak without overpowering the others.”

While experimenting with modern designs, Petrova remains committed to the precision and functional aspects that made the original charapchy effective. “The width of the eye slits was important to reduce the glare of the sun on the snow and protect the eyes from snow blindness,” she said. Many traditional snow goggles are still used by people in the Arctic today, and she personally tests her designs in real conditions to ensure they honor that practical wisdom while still allowing the objects to exist as artistic expression. 

The community and the traditions of the Sakha people deeply influence her work. In her culture, many crafts are respected because they carry meaning and knowledge. Objects are not only decorative; they often hold purpose, protection and memory. This level of awareness shapes her work, along with the time she spends listening to elders and studying how ancestral tools were used. “Authenticity comes from understanding the origin and meaning behind the object,” she says. Through her designs she keeps the spirits and purpose of the past alive, hoping people feel a sense of connection both to the Arctic and to the culture these objects come from. 

In the long run, Petrova sees her work as part of a continuing story rather than something entirely new. The charapchy and other traditional crafts come from generations of knowledge, and her role is to carry that forward in a contemporary context. By reimagining these forms through modern materials and design, she hopes they remain relevant and visible today. 

The goal is for these objects to continue living, not only as historical artifacts, but as evolving pieces of culture that people can still wear, understand, and connect with. When someone wears her designs, they carry with them the resilience, adaptation, and respect for nature that have always been central to Sakha traditions.

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