THEMA PARIS 2025

At THEMA in Paris, CHELEBI presented a curated selection of its signature pieces, including chairs and décor from the Tilsim collection and the architecturally inspired Khudafarin dining set.

Founded in 2013 by artist and cultural patron Aida Mahmudova, CHELEBI bridges Azerbaijani heritage with contemporary design. The brand collaborates with local artisans and international studios to reinterpret traditional craftsmanship through a modern lens.

CHELEBI’s Tilsim Collection, a collaboration between Aida Mahmudova and WORN Studio, draws inspiration from ancient Azerbaijani carpet motifs — the bird, the lion, and the firebird — timeless symbols of protection, power, and spiritual harmony. The word Tilsim, rooted in Eastern tradition, translates as “talisman” or “amulet,” a sacred object believed to guard and bring balance.

Signature pieces such as the Khudafarin table and chairs — designed in collaboration with the British architectural bureau Saga and inspired by the historic Khudafarin Bridge — highlight the brand’s devotion to materiality and refined craftsmanship.

The Plaite collection, created together with Spanish designer Natalia Ortega, unites weaving, glass, ceramics, wood, and metal into sculptural home objects crafted through ancestral techniques.

ABOUT AIDA MAHMUDOVA

Aida Mahmudova is an artist and patron of Azerbaijani arts and design. She is the founder of CHELEBI, a brand specializing in collectible design and décor, and YARAT Contemporary Art Space in Baku. Her artistic practice explores themes of memory, place, and belonging through installation, sculpture, and painting.

Mahmudova earned a BA in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins in London. Her work has been exhibited internationally at institutions including the Museum of Modern Art in Baku, MAXXI Museum in Rome, Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, and Gazelli Art House in London. Her pieces are part of private and museum collections worldwide.
Website: https://www.aidamahmudova.com

ABOUT CHELEBI

CHELEBI is a design brand that reimagines Azerbaijan’s visual culture through contemporary objects rooted in local heritage. Founded by artist Aida Mahmudova, the brand works closely with artisans and contemporary designers, collaborating with institutions such as the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art. Drawing from traditional techniques, materials, and motifs, CHELEBI shapes a distinctly modern design language.