Artistic Vision with Velly

March 7, 2025

Velly is an artist whose expressive portraiture has earned her a well-deserved spot in this year’s prestigious International Fashion Illustration Week (IFIW) Top 10 of the TOP 100 Fashion Portraits Prize. Her journey to this achievement is one of passion, dedication, and an ever-evolving artistic vision. From discovering the competition through a friend to seeing her work recognised on an international stage, Velly’s story is a testament to perseverance and creative ambition. In this interview, she shares her artistic journey, inspirations, and the path that led her to become a full-time artist collaborating with luxury brands and showcasing her work worldwide.

"I first learned about the TOP 100 Fashion Portraits Prize from my friend, Anastasia Tantsura," Velly recalls. "Last year, she made it into the Top 10, and her success inspired me to set a goal for myself - to participate in the competition this year." But beyond personal ambition, Velly was drawn to the competition for a deeper reason. "What truly motivated me was the opportunity to be part of a creative community filled with incredible illustrators," she shares. "The idea of sharing my work on such a platform and being surrounded by inspiring artists pushed me to take part." What began as a challenge soon turned into an incredible milestone, as Velly’s work not only secured a place in the Top 100 but also stood out among a sea of talented artists to claim a Top 10 spot.

The moment she discovered her selection was nothing short of surreal. "I had to reread the announcement several times to make sure it was real," she admits. "But the biggest surprise was discovering that not just one, but three of my works had made it into the TOP 100. That moment was truly overwhelming."

Although this was her first time entering the IFIW competition, Velly is no stranger to artistic accolades. Over the past few months, she has participated in various contests, securing second place at the MARTA competition 'Mystery of Human Faces' and winning the Bookshelf VK x EKSMO contest, among other achievements. "Participating in competitions pushes me to refine my skills and step out of my comfort zone," she explains. "It encourages me to look at my work from new perspectives."

Velly’s passion for art was evident from an early age. "My family used to say, 'She was born with a paintbrush in her hands,' because I spent nearly all my time drawing," she shares. Her artistic path led her through formal education in design at Kosygin University, where she honed her skills and broadened her creative horizons. Reflecting on her journey, Velly can’t imagine being anything other than an artist. "Art has always been an inseparable part of my life, shaping who I am today," she says.

Velly's artistic journey took a pivotal turn in 2016 when she received an unexpected email from Dior, inviting her to work as an event illustrator at one of their Moscow events. "At that moment, I was introduced to a whole new artistic field that I had never considered before," she recalls. This experience opened doors to collaborations with prestigious luxury brands, leading to opportunities with Givenchy, Cartier, Bulgari, Jo Malone London, Dolce & Gabbana, and many more. "Event illustration became an exciting and dynamic part of my career, allowing me to create live art in high-end settings while meeting fascinating people in the industry." Though Velly still works as an event illustrator, her artistic practice has grown to include painting original artworks, participating in exhibitions, and continuously evolving as an independent artist. "Art is not just something I do - it’s the foundation of my entire professional life, shaping every aspect of my career and personal growth," she shares. Her blog serves as a vital platform where she offers insights into her creative process and reflects on the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Despite her success in fashion illustration, Velly’s artistic inspiration remains deeply personal. "My primary source of inspiration comes from people - their emotions, expressions, and individuality," she explains. "I have always been fascinated by the uniqueness of human faces and the way emotions can be conveyed through subtle details." She also draws influence from fashion, history, and storytelling, blending classical artistic techniques with modern digital tools to create her signature style.

For her submission to the TOP 100 Fashion Portraits Prize, Velly employed a mixed-media approach. "I love working in mixed media, combining different textures and blending traditional and digital techniques," she says. Her process begins with hand-drawn sketches, which she enhances with markers before transitioning to digital painting in Adobe Photoshop and Procreate, "carefully building up layers,
adjusting colours, and refining textures. These programs allowed me to preserve the energy of the original hand-drawn elements while adding polished details and subtle effects that wouldn’t be possible with traditional media alone. This hybrid approach allows me to retain the expressive quality of traditional materials while benefiting from the flexibility and precision of digital tools."

Looking ahead, Velly has ambitious plans for her artistic career. "One of my biggest goals is to organise my own solo exhibition," she reveals. "I want to create a collection of works that truly represent my artistic vision." She is also committed to expanding her creative community, engaging with her audience through her blog and social media platforms. "Art is not just something I do - it’s the foundation of my entire professional life, shaping every aspect of my career and personal growth."

As she continues to push creative boundaries, Velly remains a name to watch in the world of fashion illustration. Her journey - from childhood sketchbooks to high-profile collaborations and international recognition - serves as an inspiring testament to the power of persistence, passion, and artistic evolution.