Deadline

This word carries a strange sort of weight, doesn’t it? It found me quite by accident. The idea for this piece came out of nowhere—just like deadlines often do.

It all started with a conversation about a project. Ilze and I were chatting about photoshoots and models. Poor thing was sighing about how she’d get to it right after her school deadlines. But then there were more deadlines after that. “Why is this word haunting me? Deadline, deadline, deadline!” she exclaimed.

Naturally, I joked, “Well, I’ll just make the word ‘DEADLINE’ out of hair for you—so you can hang it in your studio as a constant reminder that you always meet your deadlines.”

That’s when the idea became real.

I began by scribbling the word "DEADLINE." Doodling, sketching, playing with the shape of the letters. The “L” had to have waves—because Ilze loved the wavy details in the costume I made her once. It just felt right.

Next, I transferred the design onto a piece of PVC plastic to serve as my guide. The more I worked with it, the more I loved how it all was falling into place. Some of the long lines were pure happy accidents. I stuck the hair to the plastic, then saturated it with water and strong-hold hair gel. Let it dry, peeled it off, cleaned up the edges—and voilà!

Now, the base.

Initially, I thought: “Simple white background.” But of course, I forgot to buy any. The only thing I had on hand was a panel my daughter had already painted a soft brown. Honestly, she’s got a great eye, so I rolled with it.

On the table were my newly bought metallic paints—one a vivid green, the other a rich gold. The green was perfect: Ilze had worn a bright green top for her school graduation, so it felt like a personal touch. Then came some gold strokes. A few splashes here and there. Just enough chaos. The base was done.

Time to transfer the word. Originally, I thought of using epoxy—but right there in front of me was Aileen’s Tacky Glue. I figured, “Why not?” It turned out to be the perfect choice—it gave the letters a soft, smooth finish. I let it air dry overnight.

Now all that’s left is to deliver it to Ilze.

But let’s get back to the word: DEADLINE.

The more I thought about it, the more it began to resonate on a deeper level.

What is a deadline, really? To freelancers, creatives, and artists, it’s that looming date on the calendar. The moment everything must be done. It’s the invisible finish line we set for ourselves in planners and project outlines.

Even invoices have deadlines—especially in this capitalist world of ours. Miss them, and you’re slapped with late fees. Tell yourself, “I’ll pay it later,” and you end up throwing extra money into the void. Deadlines for debt. Deadlines for dreams. Deadlines everywhere.

But here's the philosophical twist:
What if we knew our ultimate deadline?
Like, really knew it. The final one. The end.

Would we be more productive? More kind? Less greedy?

Because power-hungry people often act as if they’ll live forever. As if control and consumption will somehow buy them immortality. Greed becomes an addiction—something to fill the emptiness that never goes away.

But if every person knew their deadline from the start—if it was printed on our birth certificates, clear as day—what would change?

Would we waste less time?
Would we love harder?
Would we create more and consume less?

hmmm....

Mucinas Rooted colletion May 2025

When Hair Met Haute Couture – A Story of Creativity, Collaboration, and Connection

It all started with a vision. And a little spark of creative chaos.

We met through pure artistry, really. Our paths first crossed during the Cabaret Latvia – La Vida production. She—Ilze—was the mastermind behind the costumes. That year, the show’s stylist decided to take a different approach to hair. Normally, every performer’s hair was curled to death (and I mean death) for the glam look. But this time? They wanted something kinder to the locks, and that's how she found me—the wig guru (a deeper dive into that story deserves its own chapter!).

And there she was. Ilze.

A true creative force. Expressive, curious, intense in the best way. We instantly clicked. As we chatted, I listened to how she thought, how her mind danced around ideas. My first question?
“Are you a Pisces?”
She laughed. "Yes. Born on March 7th."
Me? March 10th.
No wonder it felt like cosmic alignment.

At the time, Ilze was finishing her Master’s in Fashion Design. Her final project needed to combine craftsmanship with a compelling narrative—and somehow, my story and my work with hair caught her imagination.

“Liva,” she said, “you have to be part of this.”

Hair Meets Haute Couture

So it began. This wasn't just about wigs anymore. We were about to blend hair into fashion—literally.

We brainstormed everything from:

• Hair flowers that could be sewn onto garments

• Sculptural hair pieces, like a reflection of tree branches on water (think dark, distressed waves, fixed in epoxy)

• And a corset made of hair—which, sadly, didn’t make the final cut (but the concept lives rent-free in my head).

Our creative talks started in January. Ilze had to pitch the idea to her professors. They loved it—especially the flower idea. Ironically, that flower dress was also one of the last pieces to be completed. Isn’t that always the way with creative work?

Despite being in two different countries—me in Norway, her in Latvia—we kept the ideas bouncing. I even flew over a few times to help with prototypes for her to showcase.

And you know what? The results speak for themselves. Just check out the gallery.

The Hairpiece That Stole the Show

Now, let’s talk headgear. Our goal? Messy, chopped, face-framing hair in front, wild and voluminous in the back—while still keeping some length. One piece in particular had to be extremely long. The model who wore it was 194 cm tall, so anything short would’ve just looked like a sad little ponytail. We made it epic.

Finding My Rhythm Again

Since shifting my career focus, I’ve taken on a few projects to figure out what really makes my heart beat faster—movies, TV, styling for productions... But it’s the music and fashion avant-garde that gives me that electric feeling.

And this project with Ilze? It made me cry—in a good way. I looked at the work, and thought:
“That’s your vision, Liva. That’s your craft. You nailed it.”

This collaboration isn’t just a highlight—it’s a beginning. Ilze’s vision, her wit, her leadership—it’s all something to watch, admire, and learn from. She’s truly destined for the world stage.

If you're curious, her studio is called Mucina Studio, based in Riga, Latvia. Go check her out. You’ll see what I mean. 💫

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Welcome to My Creative World!

So, here we are—you’ve stumbled upon my little corner of the internet, where I get to showcase all the crazy, fun, and thought-provoking things I’m passionate about. As you scroll down the page, you’ll find a peek into my creative journey, my thoughts on life, and of course—hair. Because, let’s be honest, hair is kind of a big deal around here. 😄

I create avant-garde art using hair as my medium, and every project is an exploration of beauty, identity, and expression. Whether it's a hair masterpiece or a more functional piece, my work is all about using hair in unexpected ways to make life just a little bit more interesting.

Currently based in Norway, but guess what? I'm available for freelance projects globally, so no matter where you are, if you like what I do, let’s connect and collaborate!

What do I use in my creations? Well, both synthetic fibers and human hair. I source the human hair directly from donors, and I only buy from people I trust, ensuring that everyone involved is treated fairly. The leftover hair that would normally go to waste? I repurpose it into hair art or functional pieces that can add a bit of flair to our everyday lives.

So, take a look around, explore my world, and if you love what you see, let's chat! I'm always excited to meet new people who appreciate the art of hair. 😊💇‍♀️

xoxo Liva Klavina