During the times of scarcity in the USSR, Laima Vaikule not only sought unusual stage images but also effectively created them from scratch. In the program "[nra.lv sarunas](https://nra.lv/izklaide/muzika/526517-kad-vaikules-drosmigais-kostims-sadusmoja-padomju-varu.htm)," the singer recounted how one of her concert costumes caused a real scandal. According to the artist, in Soviet times, it was nearly impossible to buy original clothing, so everything had to be invented independently. > "In Soviet times, there was nothing. Absolutely nothing. You couldn't buy anything in stores, so you had to think more," Vaikule recalls. The ideas for stage costumes were developed by the singer herself, and then she brought them to life together with seamstresses and artists. A special role in creating her stage image was played by costume designer Ingrid Drazniece, with whom Vaikule created several bright outfits. One of the most memorable was a costume from the perestroika era featuring the names of Soviet newspapers "Pravda" and "Zvezda." According to the singer, she performed in it around 1987. The unusual design quickly attracted the attention of Soviet officials. After one of her performances, Vaikule received a call complaining that the word "Pravda" was placed on the buttocks of the costume. > "Laima, how can you wear such a costume when 'Pravda' is written on your buttocks?" asked a representative of the Soviet authorities. The singer's response was equally bold. > "I reminded him that not long ago, Soviet newspapers were used in toilets because there was no real toilet paper," Vaikule said. According to the artist, after that, the conversation ended quickly. > "He had nothing more to discuss with me," she recalls. Vaikule believes that it was precisely the numerous restrictions of the Soviet era that forced artists to seek unconventional solutions and show more imagination. Since it was impossible to buy unusual stage costumes, they had to invent clothing, jewelry, and accessories themselves. Some outfits created by Ingrid Drazniece were later exhibited in different countries. Where they are now, the singer does not know, but she admits that she would gladly wear some of them again.