Hey Everyone,
It's Teya!
...a sketchook in my hands and a million dresses in my head...
My story and the story of I Draw Fashion are like two pages in an open sketchbook—different yet connected and inseparable. As I share this brand's journey, I'll also reveal my own path as a creative soul seeking fulfillment, peace, and freedom.
Fashion UniversityI was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1987, and like many of you, I grew up with a sketchbook in my hands and a million dresses in my head. Thanks to my amazing family, I kept drawing and drawing until I turned 18 and got into my dream university for Fashion Design.
Fashion World's BiasStudying Fashion Design taught me two things: I love drawing more than designing, and the fashion industry highly values drawing skills. I consistently received more opportunities than my talented classmates simply because I could draw better. While I couldn't change this unfairness in the industry, I realized I could help other designers improve their skills. So, that's what I set out to do.
The Birth of I Draw FashionOn August 8th, 2011, I used all my savings to hire a web developer and create I Draw Fashion. Firmly believing that anyone could draw well by following a simple, step-by-step tutorial, I was eager to share my drawing secrets with fellow designers around the world.
Golden AgeFor the next 7 years, I poured my heart into creating everything I felt was missing in the aspiring designer's world. I made tutorials, templates, online courses, internships, and contests! I was totally dedicated to providing the fashion world with all the resources I wished I'd had when I was starting out. The site grew quickly and became the go-to place for fashion sketching.
OPPORTUNITIESAs the site grew, certain people started advising me on how to turn my platform into a business. Eventually, I listened. I shifted "I Draw Fashion" to a subscription model, which was not aligned with my personal values. This made me feel inauthentic and led to a burnout so severe that I could hardly look at my website.
The big VoidThe pressure to create content, engage on social media, and focus on marketing and sales was overwhelming. I felt creatively drained and stopped enjoying my work. I realized I had strayed far from what I once loved and cared about.
RediscoveryThanks to my fiancé, I fought through my anxiety and decided to go back to my roots. I want to do things the way I believe is right: calm and authentic, without subscriptions or frantic marketing. I aim to create high-value content for my fellow designers again—content that I feel connected to and love.
New BeginningWe are here today. A fresh new beginning. I'm excited to share this new chapter of I Draw Fashion with you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of this journey!
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know me
Some fun facts about me
I'm a fashion illustrator and educator from Bulgaria, helping designers improve their sketches
I've published over 50 Books on Amazon
I’m working on an upcoming fashion game app
I'm illustrating for fashion brands across the world last 15 years
I’ve traveled to the US, France, Italy, Germany, Israel, Georgia, Greece and lived in Spain for a while
For 4 years I’ve taught Digital Art at Bulgaria’s top Art University
I live with my fiancé and our two cats in Plovdiv, Europe’s Oldest City ( est. 8000 ago)
In my free time I enjoy dancing, deep conversations, drinking tea and listening to true crime stories