E.Zoljargal is a self-taught Mongolian fashion illustrator who won Michael Costello’s Impromptu Illustration Competition last year.
As most fashion lovers know, Michael Costello is a famous fashion designer who has worked with many global celebrities, including Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Caitlyn Jenner, Rita Ora, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande and Kim Kardashian, after participating in “Project Runway” Season 8 and “Project Runway: All-Stars”. Costello is known to accentuate the aesthetics of women through his high-end fashion. Capturing his attention certainly isn’t easy but E.Zoljargal was able to do so with her elegant and glamorous, yet vibrant illustrations.
E.Zoljargal mixes a wide range of mediums, such as watercolor, color pencils, gouache, ink, acrylics and digital media to make her design colors look rich and vivid. She studied graphic design at Truman College in Chicago, the USA.
How long have you lived in the USA?
I came to the USA when I was in high school. I finished high school two years later. I’ve been living in Chicago for nearly 10 years.
It seems that you’ve been spotted by several prestigious designers. Can you tell us about that?
2015 was a really good year for me. I accidentally stumbled across the Impromptu Illustration Competition of Michael Costello, a contestant of “Project Runway” by Heidi Klum, and participated in it. I didn’t think I would win. Afterwards, I was recognized by Haute Couture’s designers Zuhair Murad and Tony Ward, and they told me to upload my illustrations on Instagram. Most recently, designer Charbel Zoe uploaded my illustration on his Instagram.
How did you get in touch with these designers?
I’m usually on Instagram. I often sketch designs of other designers. Every time I upload it, I hashtag the original designer. That might be how I was able to catch their attention.
When did you start illustrating fashion designs?
I used to mostly draw women when I was a child. I was especially interested in fashion designs. I still enjoy drawing. I had even challenged myself to create 100 designs during school break. Now that I think of it, I find it quite funny. I studied at the Lyceum of Urlakh Erdem Fashion Design Institute of Mongolia for a year before I moved to Chicago. I was in ninth grade back then. Since then, I didn’t learn designing professionally and instead, learned it by myself after a six-year break.
I went back to illustrating and designing in January 2015. I wasn’t that good at the time but I thought it would be better to try at least once than not doing it at all. I’ve been illustrating nonstop since then. My illustration and designing skills have improved too. I will continue to upload new, creative and unique designs every day.
You were following your interests in Mongolia. Why didn’t you continue studying designing in the USA?
In 12th grade, I took part in a national illustration competition and came in second place. I won a scholarship from the competition. I’ve been studying graphic design for three years now. People’s interests and hobbies change as time passes. That’s exactly what happened to me and I had stopped drawing fashion designs at the time. More than illustrations, I was more drawn to business management. I reverted back to fashion design, but I don’t regret my decision.
People who’ve seen your work can’t believe you were self-taught. They complimented that the small details and choice of color of your designs are impeccable.
Thank you. There were many challenges while self-teaching. I didn’t know what kind of medium to use or that I had to paint the skin color. I learned many things after looking at other people’s work on the internet and watching Youtube videos. I mix all kinds of medium of art to get more vibrant colors. I also like to play with shadows. One of my motto is to make today’s design better than yesterday’s. If I had put 100 percent of my energy into yesterday’s work, I would try to put 150 percent of effort today.
I enjoy illustrating surreal portraits and exploring different styles. I believe it’s best to expand your creativity and drawing styles. I haven’t received any offers yet. But I’m collaborating with small companies and always getting work orders.
Which of your illustrations are you particularly proud of?
One of my best works is the illustration I drew for Michael Costello’s competition. One night, I coincidentally found out about the competition. The competition was scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m. and finish at midnight. I didn’t think I would be able to make it in time so I wasn’t planning to take part but my friend advised that I try it out now than regret not participating later. When she said that, I felt so encouraged that I immediately started drawing. The task was to illustrate any design by Michael Costello.
I tried so hard to make it to the deadline and when I looked at the time, I only had 10 minutes left. When I looked at my illustration, it wasn’t complete at all. Thankfully, the deadline was extended to 5:00 a.m. I was so happy and I think I finished it by 4:00 a.m. I wanted to make that drawing more unique and artistic than any other illustration. My main motive was to make the apparel stand out. I looked through other participant’s illustrations after uploading my design and they were amazing. I felt disheartened and fell asleep, thinking that my design was no good. At around 6:00 a.m., I was woken up by a call. When I answered, I was told that I had won first place. I didn’t believe what I was hearing. I actually thought I was still dreaming. Since then, Michael Costello followed me on Instagram and has been very supportive of my subsequent uploads.
You must have been greatly encouraged. How will you combine your business management degree with illustration?
Yes, absolutely. I received a lot of encouragement and support. I never imagined that I would be able to achieve such a thing when I started drawing again a year ago. I’m planning to continue illustrating. One day, who knows, I might even get a little illustration shop.
Have you met with any foreign artists? What did they say about your work?
I became friends with a French and a Chinese artist on Instagram and shared experiences with them. I also got in touch with a few graphic designers here in Salt Lake City. We’re very supportive of one another.
The Chinese illustrator graduated from an American university and currently works as a teacher at a design institute in China. The French artist specializes in illustration. Personally, I think they both have very different styles and are very unique from others. They told me that I have a unique style as well. We’ve covered many interesting things such as the types of art mediums we use and the ways we get certain colors.
Are there many illustrators who solely create and exhibit fashion designs?
Yes, there are many illustrators like that, although I haven’t heard of them launching an exhibition. In any case, I know some artists that illustrate and publish books. There are many talented artists not only in the USA but in other countries, including Brazil, Russia and Lebanon. Among them, I think that Russian fashion designers are the most capable and skilled illustrators.
For example, there’s Megan Hess. There are many talented designers such as Meagan Morrison, Kat Rodriguez and Lena Ker.
What’s special about your illustrations?
Everyone who draws have a unique feature of their own. I’ve never considered myself as a better illustrator than others. But it doesn’t mean that I have to be the same as them. My illustrations and the women I draw have their own beauty and glamour. I strive to create beautiful and sophisticated women every time I draw. I want people to feel glamour and elegance when they look at my art.
In your opinion, what’s the definition of a perfect woman?
Women on my drawings have lovely smiles with an imperious gaze. In real life, I prefer women to be modest, graceful, patient and gentle. Women who are open-minded and smart seem beautiful naturally. I don’t find people who have good looks but bad hearts attractive.
You make videos of your drawing process. Can you tell us why you started doing this?
I upload some of my videos on Youtube. I was self-taught so I wanted to show my drawing techniques to people who are learning on their own like me. Of course, the things that I show aren’t professional but I want to demonstrate that you don’t have to be a professional to make beautiful art and that they too can make something wonderful using certain methods.
Have you made clothing based on your designs?
No. I don’t sew. I hardly had the time to learn to sew. But I’ve seen some of my designs that had been made into clothing on Facebook pages of Mongolian tailor shops.
What is your long-term goal? Do you plan to return to Mongolia?
At the moment, my main objective is to focus on my studies so that I can quickly graduate. I plan to return to Mongolia in two to three years. As for my long-term goal, I want to open my very own print shop.
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