Elshan Ibrahimov, a Baku resident born into a family of artists, has been passionate about design from a young age, often assisting his father in creating interiors for public spaces, particularly restaurants showcasing Azerbaijan’s national cuisine. He graduated from the Azim Azimzade Azerbaijan State Art School and later earned bachelor’s, master’s, and postgraduate degrees from the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts. According to Elshan, like many modern artists, he has traded the traditional easel for a computer, leveraging contemporary technology to share his skills. He currently works as an art director for a local magazine.

His decision to join ABAD stemmed from a unique idea that evolved over time. He explains:

“After my children were born, we spent much of the year at our garden house, where I noticed they thrived in the fresh environment. Research led me to discover the benefits of seaweed, rich in elements like selenium, potassium, magnesium, iodine, and vitamins B3, B9, B12, A, C, and E. My wife and I decided to fill our children’s pillows and mattresses with seaweed, allowing them to breathe its benefits as they grew.”

Years later, observing the growth of tourism in Azerbaijan, Elshan sought to create souvenirs that would captivate tourists while reflecting the country’s history and culture. Noticing travelers’ preference for comfort items like neck pillows and eye masks during flights or other transport, he envisioned these items adorned with Azerbaijani symbols. He says:

“I realized that a neck pillow with symbols of Azerbaijan would be doubly valuable—a memorable keepsake with practical use.”

Initially, Elshan designed various covers featuring Azerbaijani motifs, filling the pillows with conventional materials like polystyrene, foam, or silicone. Inspired by his family’s experience, he later switched to filling them with specially dried seaweed for added health benefits. He notes:

“ABAD embraced our idea, and for the past three years, our pillows have found a solid place in the market.”