What country are you from and where do you live?

I was born in Russia and live here, but my work is connected with the whole world.  Paris is my favorite city that inspires me with its atmosphere and history of art, fashion and architecture. 

Title of what you do and what company you work with?

I’m an architect and fashion illustrator.  I use all my time for fashion illustration now.

Education background (art school, no school)?

I went to art school when I was a child.  I graduated from university in 2010 in Russia and became an architect.  I worked in the construction industry for eight years, but I always draw fashion illustrations.

What is your signature style/artistic expression for your work?  How has your art evolved?

I started my career as a fashion illustrator in 2011 when I created a blog on blogspot and started publishing illustrations and experiments.  Bloggers ordered illustrations for blogging.  I started working all over the world for various bloggers and local magazines.  I began to receive more orders when I began to post illustrations on Instagram every day.  My style today is not the end point in my art.  It is necessary to constantly develop, because it takes time and modern technologies require it.  I try different styles, study the styles of other illustrators and am writing a book about the styles in the illustration, which I plan to finish in 2020.

I like to experiment, I feel good in both traditional materials and digital technologies.  Pastel is my favorite tool for creativity.  I draw on special paper and colored cardboard.  Technology cannot replace the sensations you feel when working with live materials.  I like to feel the texture of the paper, feel the pastel crayons and change the pressure, see and hear the process of creating the work.

I keep my finger on the pulse and follow the news in the fashion world. My muses are Kaya Gerber and Adut Akech today. I add energy, beauty and my vision to my work.

Do you have a career turning point or big break that has helped your career? What was your scariest and proudest moment in your career?

The first turning point happened in 2014 when I received an order to create an illustration for Revlon for London Fashion Week.  The order had to be done very quickly and I was able to do it.  I worked as an architect during the day and painted as an illustrator in the evening.  Working with Revlon has opened up new possibilities for my work.

The second turning point happened in 2019.  I combined the work of an architect and illustrator and I was very tired.  In June 2019, I had an attack.  I lost strength.  I was discharged from my job.  I made the right decision in my life.  Now, I do fashion illustration every day and feel like a full-fledged happy person.

What is next for your career goals?

I devote a lot of time to my educational projects.  This is a 30-day training marathon “Fashion Illustration” and an online course “Pastel. Fashionable illustration.”  I am writing a book that will help novice illustrators learn different styles and create illustrations as art.  I will continue to move forward and inspire the fashion world.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in your business?

There is a misconception that a fashion illustrator is a person who travels a lot and draws light, beautiful pictures, but you have to work hard to do valuable work, to create your own style and your vision.

My most important advice: “Do not be afraid. We have one life.  Time is ticking.  You are free.  Do not be fooled by the illusion of fuss.  You have the mind and the strength to create your projects and do your favorite job!  You are the master of your destiny!”

Instagram @zz_fashion_illustrator

Official site ill-paris.com