Katya Zol is one of the successful young designers who had guts to participate in the Mercedes Benz fashion show in NYC. She is G. Zoltsetseg by her ID, a designer and a model.
Lately at our fashion industry we have been hearing foreign like names such as Katya Zol and Ariuna Suri. I think of it as a marketing move.
Indeed. If I introduced myself as Zoltsetseg Galbadrakh, probably very few would catch that name. I think it is essential to have short yet unique name that will catch attention and be easily recognizable. I got this name from Malaysian modeling agency I worked back in the days. But I have thoughts to change it.
As I have observed nowadays many young people want to be called by their full names. I link this tendency with spark of nationalistic views?
Nationalism isn’t bad. But it should be conveyed in a way when we, the young generation, start being responsible and pioneer changes. Simply put, being a decent human being is the beginning of all the good deeds.
Do you see yourself as an initiator of a change?
I consider myself as a contributor to our development. I have participated with a crew of 26 professionals at Mercedes Benz fashion show. We had national producers such as “Mongol Nekhmel”, “Darkhan Nehii” and “Sutain Goyol” as our partners. These companies, in turn represent a lot of employees behind. We had a chance to introduce our heritage and national products like cashmere, felt, sheepskin and leather integrated into my designs at such prestigious fashion show. Some people take it as if only Katya Zol participated in the show. May be there are people who would wonder if Katya Zol is even Mongolian or why she is having that name. I’d rather say that I am young designer.
“I have no big back up”
You have participated in one of the major fashion events where only big names take part. But rather than cheering on you, there are some who see it as you have big back up.
I was noticed by professionals during show in NYC held back in February 2013 and they have sent me proposal for Mercedes Benz NYC show during my June fashion show in Dubai. On my side I have passed the criteria. Prior to participation I have studied national clothing for three months and started looking for ways to really represent Mongolia in such a rare occasion. I reached out to national companies for support and cooperation. I haven’t received a penny from state. I have no big back up. It is solely a result of hard work and cooperation.
I heard you were a model.
It was during my student years in Malaysia. I think my complexion helped me a lot to work as model. Now I work as a designer. I remember myself as a child always stitching or sewing.
You were studying in Russia to pursue career in energy sector. Why all of sudden a drastic change in the career?
I have never thought of becoming a designer. That’s why my initial choice was Economy major and I was studying in Russia. The turning point was when I realized the purpose and value of my life. From that moment I went against my parents and started pursuing designer career.
“I hope for better days when people start discussing the deeds not how I look”
How much do you think your unique complexion helped you?
Recently during the meeting with two manufacturers one asked me if my complexion ever helped me to succeed, to which other interrupted with: “It is more of a warmth and energy she has”. I was absolutely fluttered with the last one. I always remember to stay in my lane and try to be a decent human being.
Many are interested if you are of mixed race?
Yes, my father is Russian. But I was born and raised in Mongolia and I am a proud Mongolian. There are many foreigners who love Mongolia, while there are Mongolians who curse their motherland. I just want to be discussed by my deeds not how I look.
What do you think of Ariuna Suri?
She is hard working young woman and through that trait she broke into Tokyo fashion market. It is important to cheer and support each other. We are both young designers. I work my way and she does her way. Bottom line is, Ariuna Suri can’t create what I do and vice versa, I can’t create what she does.
Some designer creations are really specific and hard to wear every day. My next question is whether clothes are designed for art or for the consumers?
I am glad you asked that. These are completely two different sides of a coin. It is not mandatory to wear what you see on runways. It is designed to define the trends. But in stores there is plenty of clothing ready to wear.
Is it possible to define a personality from the color choices of a person? For instance if a person’s wardrobe prevails in patterns one could say that person has conflicts and so on?
Of course it is impossible. Everyone has something of bright color in their closet. Suppose I like white color, but from practicality I cannot wear it every day. In this scope, it will be one-sided to try to define someone by colors that one chooses. But one can use the colors and patterns to define a designer. I try to integrate organic fabrics and natural colors into my designs.
Can you define Ariuna Suri as a designer?
As of now I am not experienced enough in this field to define someone.
Goyol is for Models
What will you define as value of a clothing? Some people tend to dress in high end designer wear whereas some just try to wear that compliments their personality. What are your thoughts?
First of all clothing should suit oneself. No matter what others think. It is important to be comfortable and feel content. The difference lies whether it is of high end luxury brand or cheaper alternative. For me I go for the quality in clothing.
Some designers complain that they don’t have enough time to create a clothing for themselves. Is this true with you?
I admit when you are under pressure and the deadline is approaching there is not much time. May be in future I will open up my brand store and will wear my collections.
How do you see Goyol Fashion event? As long as I remember you never participated in Goyol…
The event itself is dedicated to bring the designers and their work and mark the top models. As I have observed this event is overlooking designer efforts and makes it insignificant. It would have been good if Goyol truly brought to front designer works rather than models.
Do you ever feel you will participate in Goyol?
Definite no.
Why?
I do not create my designs to appeal someone. I am stubborn and I don’t like my works to be judged.
“Soon I will reunite with my child”
Very few know you had husband in Malaysia and you have a child with him. Is your child living with his dad?
Yes, my son is 7 years old. He now attends elementary school and I work hard for my son.
I guess you miss him a lot. How often do you contact him?
We are very close and contact on daily basis. I also try to visit him as much as my work allows me.
In one of your interviews you said you had sacrificed a lot to succeed…
Indeed. Very few can relate to struggles of a woman to succeed abroad. It takes guts, courage and lots of patience. Anyhow, I am going towards my dreams and visions and I dedicate every success to my son. Some might believe or even accuse me of living by myself and enjoying it. I would like to emphasize that sometimes there are times when you can do nothing in a relationship, but to leave.
Are there any thoughts on reuniting with your son?
Of course. In a very near future. But before that I need to be able to provide him.
It should be though and challenging to leave your kid behind?
It is a tough thing. I delivered him and raised him. We were together for three years. It is tough. But he is in a good care of loving parent and grandparents. I can work towards my dream.
Katya Zol is one of the successful young designers who had guts to participate in the Mercedes Benz fashion show in NYC. She is G. Zoltsetseg by her ID, a designer and a model.
Lately at our fashion industry we have been hearing foreign like names such as Katya Zol and Ariuna Suri. I think of it as a marketing move.
Indeed. If I introduced myself as Zoltsetseg Galbadrakh, probably very few would catch that name. I think it is essential to have short yet unique name that will catch attention and be easily recognizable. I got this name from Malaysian modeling agency I worked back in the days. But I have thoughts to change it.
As I have observed nowadays many young people want to be called by their full names. I link this tendency with spark of nationalistic views?
Nationalism isn’t bad. But it should be conveyed in a way when we, the young generation, start being responsible and pioneer changes. Simply put, being a decent human being is the beginning of all the good deeds.
Do you see yourself as an initiator of a change?
I consider myself as a contributor to our development. I have participated with a crew of 26 professionals at Mercedes Benz fashion show. We had national producers such as “Mongol Nekhmel”, “Darkhan Nehii” and “Sutain Goyol” as our partners. These companies, in turn represent a lot of employees behind. We had a chance to introduce our heritage and national products like cashmere, felt, sheepskin and leather integrated into my designs at such prestigious fashion show. Some people take it as if only Katya Zol participated in the show. May be there are people who would wonder if Katya Zol is even Mongolian or why she is having that name. I’d rather say that I am young designer.
“I have no big back up”
You have participated in one of the major fashion events where only big names take part. But rather than cheering on you, there are some who see it as you have big back up.
I was noticed by professionals during show in NYC held back in February 2013 and they have sent me proposal for Mercedes Benz NYC show during my June fashion show in Dubai. On my side I have passed the criteria. Prior to participation I have studied national clothing for three months and started looking for ways to really represent Mongolia in such a rare occasion. I reached out to national companies for support and cooperation. I haven’t received a penny from state. I have no big back up. It is solely a result of hard work and cooperation.
I heard you were a model.
It was during my student years in Malaysia. I think my complexion helped me a lot to work as model. Now I work as a designer. I remember myself as a child always stitching or sewing.
You were studying in Russia to pursue career in energy sector. Why all of sudden a drastic change in the career?
I have never thought of becoming a designer. That’s why my initial choice was Economy major and I was studying in Russia. The turning point was when I realized the purpose and value of my life. From that moment I went against my parents and started pursuing designer career.
“I hope for better days when people start discussing the deeds not how I look”
How much do you think your unique complexion helped you?
Recently during the meeting with two manufacturers one asked me if my complexion ever helped me to succeed, to which other interrupted with: “It is more of a warmth and energy she has”. I was absolutely fluttered with the last one. I always remember to stay in my lane and try to be a decent human being.
Many are interested if you are of mixed race?
Yes, my father is Russian. But I was born and raised in Mongolia and I am a proud Mongolian. There are many foreigners who love Mongolia, while there are Mongolians who curse their motherland. I just want to be discussed by my deeds not how I look.
What do you think of Ariuna Suri?
She is hard working young woman and through that trait she broke into Tokyo fashion market. It is important to cheer and support each other. We are both young designers. I work my way and she does her way. Bottom line is, Ariuna Suri can’t create what I do and vice versa, I can’t create what she does.
Some designer creations are really specific and hard to wear every day. My next question is whether clothes are designed for art or for the consumers?
I am glad you asked that. These are completely two different sides of a coin. It is not mandatory to wear what you see on runways. It is designed to define the trends. But in stores there is plenty of clothing ready to wear.
Is it possible to define a personality from the color choices of a person? For instance if a person’s wardrobe prevails in patterns one could say that person has conflicts and so on?
Of course it is impossible. Everyone has something of bright color in their closet. Suppose I like white color, but from practicality I cannot wear it every day. In this scope, it will be one-sided to try to define someone by colors that one chooses. But one can use the colors and patterns to define a designer. I try to integrate organic fabrics and natural colors into my designs.
Can you define Ariuna Suri as a designer?
As of now I am not experienced enough in this field to define someone.
Goyol is for Models
What will you define as value of a clothing? Some people tend to dress in high end designer wear whereas some just try to wear that compliments their personality. What are your thoughts?
First of all clothing should suit oneself. No matter what others think. It is important to be comfortable and feel content. The difference lies whether it is of high end luxury brand or cheaper alternative. For me I go for the quality in clothing.
Some designers complain that they don’t have enough time to create a clothing for themselves. Is this true with you?
I admit when you are under pressure and the deadline is approaching there is not much time. May be in future I will open up my brand store and will wear my collections.
How do you see Goyol Fashion event? As long as I remember you never participated in Goyol…
The event itself is dedicated to bring the designers and their work and mark the top models. As I have observed this event is overlooking designer efforts and makes it insignificant. It would have been good if Goyol truly brought to front designer works rather than models.
Do you ever feel you will participate in Goyol?
Definite no.
Why?
I do not create my designs to appeal someone. I am stubborn and I don’t like my works to be judged.
“Soon I will reunite with my child”
Very few know you had husband in Malaysia and you have a child with him. Is your child living with his dad?
Yes, my son is 7 years old. He now attends elementary school and I work hard for my son.
I guess you miss him a lot. How often do you contact him?
We are very close and contact on daily basis. I also try to visit him as much as my work allows me.
In one of your interviews you said you had sacrificed a lot to succeed…
Indeed. Very few can relate to struggles of a woman to succeed abroad. It takes guts, courage and lots of patience. Anyhow, I am going towards my dreams and visions and I dedicate every success to my son. Some might believe or even accuse me of living by myself and enjoying it. I would like to emphasize that sometimes there are times when you can do nothing in a relationship, but to leave.
Are there any thoughts on reuniting with your son?
Of course. In a very near future. But before that I need to be able to provide him.
It should be though and challenging to leave your kid behind?
It is a tough thing. I delivered him and raised him. We were together for three years. It is tough. But he is in a good care of loving parent and grandparents. I can work towards my dream.