Conversations with Karina aka Kukla

Karina aka Kukla

Hi! My name is Karina but I go by KUKLA which means “doll” in Russian.

I’m passionate about anything that opens up one’s mind and creativity.

I graduated from university back in Siberia, Russia with a bachelor’s degree in worldwide economics and was working in a bank which couldn’t be more boring for me.

I also was studying English and tutoring kids as I had a plan to visit US with my friends.

And when I accomplished that I already knew I was going to stay here because I saw all of the possibilities in the US for me to be creative.

I went to a beauty school in Russia while still working in a bank and a gay club on the weekends saving money,

and in 2010 I moved to US to Rehoboth Beach, DE as I had a job offer at “Nike” store as a sales assistant.

I was also hired at my first spa salon “Made Ya Look” where I was practicing my nail skills and my English too, which I think I’m still in the process of learning, then I moved to NYC to work as a decorator for “American Christmas” company while still practicing nails.

Then I moved to Boston to join an “Aveda” salon.

And then I finally settled in Miami where I first worked for “SoFi” salon perfecting my skills and creating new projects.

As a result of collecting my experience I opened my own studio in the heart of South Beach named “Kukla Arts Salon”.

Our theme was an art gallery and a hair/nail salon at the same time! We collaborated with local artists and beauty professionals to bring that concept to life.

What I do is help people grow their natural nails with gel on top of it and Russian manicures that last forever. People think that their natural nails are impossible to grow and I prove them wrong.

I also love nail art, art in general, design and anything that has to do with creativity.

At the moment I’m studying astrology with a Russian astroschool and plan to keep elevating my skills in that field.

Anything I’ve ever done was to see a smile on people’s faces one way or another. That’s it.