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MARU$YA KAZAKOVA, also known as BAБAЯGA [BABAJAHGA], is an artist, designer, and shaman born in the Soviet Union and raised in post-Soviet Siberia. Rooted in Slavic–Siberian traditions and shaped by experiences across Moscow, London, and New York, she has developed a multidisciplinary practice at the intersection of fashion, visual, mystical, and healing arts.

Drawing from cultural memory, mythology, traditional craftsmanship, and lived experience, Kazakova creates contemporary works that bridge ancestral wisdom with present-day realities. Working across wearable art, painting, objects, installation, performance, private sessions, and participatory experiences, she explores cultural identity, spirituality, and the relationship between tradition and contemporary life.

From 2011 to 2024, Kazakova developed the internationally recognized project JAHNKOY, which examined identity, displacement, cultural restoration, and the renewal of traditional craft within contemporary practice. Through fashion, installation, and performance, the project positioned the garment as both artifact and narrative, earning international recognition through exhibitions and collaborations. During this period, her work was recognized by the LVMH Prize (2017), Forbes 30 Under 30: Art & Style (2018), the CFDA (2017–2019), PUMA (2017–2021), and Esquire's 12 Apostles in the Art category (2021).

Today, working under the name BAБAЯGA [BABAJAHGA], Kazakova continues to expand her practice through fashion, visual, mystical, and healing arts. Her work creates spaces for reflection, remembrance, and the restoration of our relationships—with ourselves, with one another, with our ancestors, with culture, and with the living world. Through art, design, and sacred practice, she invites deeper presence, connection, renewal, and transformation for individuals and communities.

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Awards

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Projects

Multidimensional $hows & Exhibitions

"$acred Ritual of Doll Making"

Restoration Art Cultural Center, Jahnkoy Studio, NYC, 2021

Intimate Doll Making Performance were held at the Jahnkoy Studio. The artist presented the collection of Motanka dolls, as well as 5 large Doll Sculptures.

"10 Years of Fashion $tudies"

Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC, 2019

Grand Solo exhibition were held at FIT, featuring full journey of Marusys's Fashion studies and work across the World.

"DECEIVED:No More"

"ME$$ENJAH"

Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC, 2019

Marusya's trilogy final show were held at FIT. Theatrical Fashion show has featured Nyc's dancing community, as well as Marusya's solo performance. The show were then repeated at Restoration Plaza for the local community.

"PUMA" Collaboration

Puma Flagship stores across the globe, 2019

Collaboration Collection came out featuring Marusya's artistic ornaments, intricate details and sustainable production. the opening events were held in NYC and Moscow with crafting workshops.

"DECEIVED:No More"

Museum of Decorative & Folk Arts, Moscow, 2018

Simultaneously with the NYC show, another show were created in Moscow to be show at the closing of the Football World Cup.The show was accompanied with the exhibition, showing Kazakova's full body of work. 

CFDA "Emerging Designer Platform", NYC, 2018

Powerful collaboration continued with Marusya's biggest show thus far. She created new collection utilizing Puma garments and the theatrical performance featuring NYC dancers community, expanding the message of her work further.

"DI$PLACED: Crafting Revolution"

South Africa, China and Brazil, 2017

The collection has traveled to South Africa, China and Brazil, deepening the message behind Marusya's work and opening the Global dialog and collaboration.

"DI$PLACED"

Parsons MFA Graduation, Milk Studios, NYC, 2016

Parsons graduation show, where Marusya had shown the results of her 2 year long education with the collection "the Displaced" featuring the cast of her choice.

"DI$PLACED: Crafting Revolution"

CFDA "Emerging Designer Platform", NYC, 2017

Marusya has been supported by PUMA and became the Art Resident of Restoration Art Cultural Center. The show was the result of such a powerful triple collaboration.

"UNITE"

Fashun Tweek, NYC, 2015

Community show were held in Bushweek, showcasing Marusya's different School projects all together, featuring various talented people, that she met during her 1st year in NYC. 

Education

2020-2026

- Sound and the 4 elements Workshop, Dream Seed, Golden Drum 

- Bioenergetical Healing, Alexey Nikalyonok

- Psychic Mediumship, Richard Knight

- Taro, Richard Knight

- Intuitive Coaching, Colette Baron-Reid,

- Oracle School, Colette Baron-Reid,

- The Art of Oracle & Taro Readings, Hay House,

- Art of Beeswax Candle Magic, Elza Berkana

- Slavic Energy Healing Modalities, Elza Berkana 

- Energy Healing, Viktor Rudenko

- Psychology of Motanka Doll Making, Marina Erofeeva

2014-2016

2013-2014

2008-2012

Masters of Fine Art "Fashion & Society", Menswear,
Parsons School of Design, New York, United States

Graduate Diploma in Fashion, Menswear, Central Saint Martins, London, United Kingdom

BA Hons in Fashion, Womenswear
British Higher School of Art & Design, Moscow, Russia

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