EP21: Daria Zvereva on Radical Decisions, Creative Direction, and Designing a Future Beyond Borders

Daria Zvereva is a creative strategist, cultural connector, and architectural thinker currently working at AMO—the think tank of OMA—alongside Samir Bantal. Originally from Crimea, Daria fled her home twice—first during the 2014 occupation, and again in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. With no passport and no guarantees, she crossed borders by bus and train until she reached Rotterdam, where she joined OMA as an intern and carved her path into creative direction.In this episode, we trace her remarkable journey—from dancer and refugee to architect and curator. Daria shares what it means to choose freedom over safety, how hip-hop culture shaped her way of thinking, and why she believes architecture must evolve beyond buildings to serve as a vehicle for systems, curation, and radical imagination. We talk about mentors, identity, decision-making, and why the most powerful form of support is often learning to back yourself, even when you don’t like yourself yet.She reflects on working closely with Samir Bantal, the value of being a dot connector over a title holder, and how she helps others access resources to bring their creative visions to life. This isn’t just a story of resilience—it’s a manifesto for future-making, one bold, terrifying, and beautiful decision at a time.00:00 Introduction and Greetings00:21 Daria's Background and Name01:14 Career Journey and Challenges02:14 Life in Crimea and Moving to Moscow04:57 Architectural Career and Personal Growth07:59 Impact of War and Relocation to the Netherlands10:11 Starting Over in the Netherlands15:22 Personal Reflections and Self-Support20:01 Joy and Inspiration27:32 Authenticity and Future Potential29:45 Exploring the Concept of 'More'30:33 Personal Preferences and Self-Identification31:46 Responsibility and Societal Change32:59 Mentorship and Influences39:53 Career Evolution and Architecture42:00 The Role of Creative Directors46:00 Personal Branding vs. Universe Building47:54 Fashion as a Discipline49:46 Learning from Fashion Mentors58:44 Dreams and Aspirations

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