We are Maria Altukhova and Dmitry Ochakov, designers and co-creators of Zaika Khotkovsky.
Our project began with a simple idea: to bring back a remarkable handmade textile figure that had almost disappeared from history.
The story of Zaika Khotkovsky dates back more than one hundred years to the town of Khotkovo, near Moscow (Russia). In the early 1900s, women from the local Pokrovsky Monastery created handmade textile dolls and animals from fabric remnants. Over time, their collection grew to include rabbits, squirrels, bears, elephants, and other charming creatures, each carefully crafted by hand.
After the social changes of the 1920s, the tradition continued within local craft workshops, where skilled artisans transformed leftover fabrics into distinctive animal figures. Despite limited materials, these makers achieved remarkable sculptural character and expressiveness. Most of the animals were sewn from felt or cotton flannel and traditionally filled with wood shavings.
Among them was a rabbit with a satin ribbon around its neck — a simple yet memorable figure that became the inspiration for our work.
In 2022, after studying archival materials and surviving examples, we reconstructed the original patterns and brought Zaika Khotkovsky back to life. Our goal was not to create a replica, but to give this historical craft tradition a contemporary voice while preserving its spirit and character.
Each Zaika Khotkovsky is handcrafted from carefully selected vintage velour and filled with wood shavings in homage to the traditional technique. Every piece is made individually, carrying its own unique personality and subtle variations that are part of true artisan work.
Today, Zaika Khotkovsky is both a collectible textile sculpture and a symbol of living craft heritage — connecting the past with the present through design, craftsmanship, and storytelling.
Thank you for becoming part of this story.
Maria Altukhova & Dmitry Ochakov