PATRYCJA BRUŹ-SONIEWICKA
CEO & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Patrycja comes from the creative world of marketing communications – over the past 20 years she has been involved in building brands for: PEPSICO, Axel Springer, P&G, GSK, Toyota, IKEA, Carrefour, VISA, BP, etc., working for international advertising agencies in Poland and abroad. She acted as Managing Director the polish branch of Saatchi & Saatchi for 3 years, during which time Saatchi & Saatchi was awarded the titles of most creative (KTR), innovative (INNOVATION) and effective (EFFIE) agency of the year. She was twice nominated for the AD WoMan award broadcast by the prestigious PRESS MAGAZINE in 2016 (Saatchi & Saatchi) and 2018 (Brand New Galaxy).
In 2017, she started on the adventure of building and developing start-ups – as co-founder, she cocreated, launched and was responsible for the development of entities based on new technologies, including: Brand New Galaxy Group – specializing in eCommerce. She has to her credit the re-launch of a mobile application, for interior lovers – which allowed viewers of HGTV programs to find and buy products that were chosen by architects for arrangements on Discovery Media programs. Her latest project is building technology start-up Aurero.

Interiors and beautiful design are her passion. Working with creative people is her favorite thing to do. Hogai came up with the idea over the summer, thinking in the garden about a mirror she would like to have but couldn’t find it. SHe was dreaming about the first Hogai collection, so she decided to make it a reality. She invited Bartek and Kasia to work with her, they have worked together on interior projects and have an excellent common understanding of aesthetics, plus they like each other very much. After many years of working with technology – Hogai is for her the fulfillment of a dream to create tangible things.

Furniture design – a new chapter – how did it start?

It started with an idea of a mirror that I dreamed of, but could not find it anywehere. I drew it on a piece of paper, although I can’t draw, and started thinking about how to make it. And then it went on, diving into colors and variations – a project like any other – I don’t know when it became a whole collection. I guess we’re all weary of beiges and grays everywhere – I appreciate them as a background, but real life is in color – I longed for color. I was also a bit tired of working on technology, working in advertising, where everything is ephemeral and becomes outdated the very moment it is created. I needed something real, tangible, not virtual. I love interiors, I have extensive aesthetic needs, with good design I can spend hours and it never gets boring. All my experience and knowledge allowed me to plan this venture and invite people I value and enjoy working with. And eCommerce allows you to develop even the wildest ideas – well, there it is – my Hogai – furniture for living and loving.

Where did the name of the brand – Hogai – came from?

I was looking for a simple, well-sounding, abstract name, with a graceful spelling. I came up with the idea of Hogai – and then discovered that in the Pashto language hogai means “special girl.” I thought it was a good meaning. And then Adam designed the logo and I had no more doubts about it.

What inspires you, what style, direction in architecture or design?

The whole history of Bauhaus and the energetic Memphis that grew out of it is phenomenal. It drives my creative thinking, it delights me.