Paper Costume Artists 

A fascination with fashion and its history sparked a curiosity in Asya Kozina to capture the details seen in costumes and accessories of bygone eras and cultures. With the helping hands of her husband Dmitriy Kozin, who designs and draws the creations, the two form a dynamic creative duo who are making waves in the world of paper art and fashion. They are the human hands and minds behind exceptional contemporary paper sculptures, which have graced fashion catwalks, including that of Dolce&Gabbana, and been exhibited and celebrated the world over.

From their workshop, just outside St Petersburg, the duo transforms the ordinary material of paper into extraordinary pieces. Their recent collection consists of monumental Baroque wigs adorned with intricate miniature worlds, combining symbols of modernity with historical references. Traditionally, wigs from the Baroque period were embellished with exotic fruits, flowers and even stuffed birds. Asya’s and Dmitriy’s handcrafted paper versions stay faithful to the old-fashioned aesthetic while including surprising elements such as skyscrapers, ships or planes. Their latest piece is an eye-catching Baroque punk wig.

The high level of detail and complexity of the finished pieces is astonishing. It is all the more remarkable when one considers that the only tools are a pair of scissors and a scalpel. It is the immensely skilled hands of Asya and Dmitriy which bring to life these fantastical and futuristic paper creations. Drawing, cutting, twisting, shaping and gluing: a well-rehearsed dance of careful hand movements mastered through years of dedicated practise.

“I love the feeling of creative liberty that a blank sheet of paper offers. It is a symbol of perfection and eternity,” explains Asya Kozina

The duo have received commissions from many renowned brands. One such commission was for life-size chess horses. Another was by a prestigious wallpaper company who requested versions of traditional Japanese garments to highlight the historical link between paper and textiles. They enchanted with their own collection of intricate wedding dresses inspired by original costumes from traditional Mongolian culture. The possibilities for creation seem endless and the vision for the future is certainly as bright as the white of their paper masterpieces.