ABOUT MARUSYA KAZAKOVA
ARTISTKA • SHAMANKA • COUTURIÈRE
MARU$YA KAZAKOVA, also known as BABAJAHGA, is a multidisciplinary artist, couturière, and shamanic practitioner born in the Soviet Union and raised in post-Soviet Siberia. Rooted in Slavic ancestry and shaped by her experiences across Moscow, London, and New York, she works at the intersection of art, fashion, ancestral wisdom, and sacred practice.
Her work takes many forms, including wearable art, painting, objects, installation, performance, ritual, intuitive guidance, and collective experiences. Drawing from cultural memory, mythology, traditional craftsmanship, and lived experience, Kazakova explores identity, spirituality, ancestral remembrance, and the relationship between humanity, culture, nature, and the unseen.
From JAHNKOY to BABAJAHGA
From 2011 to 2024, Kazakova developed the internationally recognized fashion and art project JAHNKOY, exploring cultural identity, displacement, reindigenization, and the revival of traditional craftsmanship through contemporary fashion, installation, and performance.
Her work received international recognition, including selection as an LVMH Prize finalist (2017), Forbes 30 Under 30: Art & Style (2018), support from the CFDA (2017–2019), Swarovski (2015-2017), collaborations with PUMA (2017–2022), and recognition in Esquire's 12 Apostles in the Art category (2021).
Today, through BABAJAHGA, her practice continues to evolve into an interconnected universe where art, adornment, sound, ceremony, and Spirit meet.
Embracing the archetype of the $hamanka-$komoroshka, a shamanic practitioner and sacred trickster, Kazakova works through intuition, ritual, voice, movement, humor, and creative expression. Her artistic and spiritual practices share a common intention: to question what no longer serves, awaken remembrance, restore connection, and create space for transformation.
At the heart of BABAJAHGA is a mission to contribute to the revival of global cultural heritage and the awakening of ancestral wisdom, reconnecting people with themselves, one another, their roots, Mother Earth, and Spirit.
Awards
LVMH Prize
"Final 8", 2017
Forbes"30 under 30" Art & Style, 2018
CFDA "Elain's Gold Launchpad", 2019
Esquire "12 Apostles-Art",2021
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