Born in 1975 in Sofia, Bulgaria, Youlian Tabakov has a MA in Set Design at the N. Pavlovich National Art Academy – Sofia (2000), MA in Fine Art at ENS des Beaux-Arts – Paris (2003). 

His first professional appearence as a set designer and director was "Three Sisters” after A. P. Chekhov at NDT Salza i Smjah Theatre – Sofia (season 1999–2000). Since 2002 has worked in Sweden with teaters in Stockholm, Uppsala, Göteborg, etc., as set and costume designer. He also worked for stage productions in teaters in Vilnius, Moscow and Sofia. He has had solo exhibitions in Sofia and Stockholm and a number of participations in group exhibitions. He has designed several fashion collections and illustrated poetry and children books. In 1998, he was awarded with III Prize at Smirnoff fashion awards and in 2011 received Golden Age Prize for contribution to the development of Bulgarian culture.