ILLUSTRATOR MEGAN HESS

BY: Ramona Duoba

If you don’t know her name, you’ve probably seen her work. Megan Hess, acclaimed fashion illustrator, has been revealing her passion for fashion through her elegant and detailed visions of haute couture. In 2008, Hess designed the cover for Candace Bushnell’s novel, Sex and the City and since then, her life was never the same. This one book cover launched Hess’s career onto a global platform. Hess has collaborated with a who’s who of fashion and partnered with luxury brands like Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Yves St Laurent, Mont Blanc, Valentino and Prada, to name a few.

Hess is based in Melbourne, Australia, where she studied graphic design before turning her attention to fashion illustration. Her distinctive drawings capture beautiful, chic women wearing stunning outfits, in detailed backdrops, with intricate color and flair. Hess has published 4 books and her latest, Elegance the Beauty of French Fashion, explores the legendary and iconic fashion houses of Paris. I caught up with Megan Hess for details on her new book and more.

RD: What inspired you to be a fashion illustrator?

MH: I always knew that I wanted to draw for a living but when I was growing up I had no idea that fashion illustrator was an actual job. It was just always the thing I loved to do. I still feel incredibly lucky to do what I love as a profession.

 

RD: What was the thought behind your newest book, Elegance the Beauty of French Fashion?

MH: I’ve always found french fashion so incredible. It’s the attention to detail, the rich history, the craftsmanship and the theatre of the shows. There is something about the way french designers create that separates them from any other country. It’s just in their culture and way of life. Even a single macaron can be packaged in a tiny beautiful box with a silk ribbon. They make everything feel special.

RD: Of the 10 French designers featured in Elegance, do you have a favorite?

MH: I do particularly love the Chanel and Dior sections. I think the shapes of Dior are so varied but still have the very strong DNA that Christian Dior first created. Chanel is so incredible and I really love that every single design still pays homage to Coco Chanel. The legacy of the brand and collections have never strayed from the heart of what makes it so unique.

 

RD: What is the process of crafting this type of book?

MH: It’s a long process but I love every moment of it. I love looking at a designer’s complete history and curating it down to 10 looks that really show the essence of the brand. I love diving into the DNA of a brand and identifying what makes them unique and iconic.

RD: You have worked with some fashion savvy women…what was it like to work with Candace Bushnell-author of Sex and the City and former First Lady, Michelle Obama?

MH: Daunting but exciting! Creating 10 portraits for Michelle Obama was my most challenging. It was an incredible project to work on but also quite daunting purely because I really wanted to make sure they were perfect. I really respect her as a woman so it was an amazing project to work on. Working with Candace was literally my first big break. I thank my lucky stars that she chose me to illustrate the cover of Sex and the City. It was the project that really started my career with luxury fashion. She is still a mentor to me today.

RD: Can you tell us about some of your fashion collaborations?

MH: I am very grateful to all the amazing brands that I have worked with. For me, it’s been years of building those relationships. Each new project attracts a new client and I have been very lucky to have been commissioned by such diverse and creative companies all over the world. One of my favorite projects this year was when I was fortunate enough to work with Chopard for the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. This was a dream project where I was given the opportunity to illustrate and create their beautiful Red Carpet Book, showcasing the world’s most incredible jewels. We launched the book on the opening night of Cannes and it was one of the most unforgettable nights of my career.

 

RD: You obviously have a love for french fashion. Is it fair to say that Paris, the fashion capital, is your favorite city?

MH: Of all the cities that I’ve travelled to, Paris and New York would have to be my favorites. Paris, the architecture of the buildings and the Eiffel Tower always make the best backgrounds for my sketches. I love the chic effortless style of Parisians, such great subject matters to draw. And New York, I particularly love it there in autumn. There is nothing more beautiful than the autumn leaves blowing around that incredible city to inspire some creativity. I also love the street style in Soho. I perch myself in a busy coffee shop downtown and sketch all the eclectic New Yorkers passing by.

 

RD: What’s next for you?

MH: There are so many big exciting projects coming up. Sometimes I get so excited about what’s to come that I literally can’t sleep! Right now, I’m focused on the release of Elegance the Beauty of French Fashion. I’m about to go on a world book tour and it’s just so incredible to meet so many wonderful people all around the world and feel that connection. Creating is such joy and it’s even more amazing when you can actually share it with others. You can expect to see more from my children’s book character, Claris The Chicest Mouse in Paris. I have so many ideas for stories for her that I can barely wait to draw them. I really want her to captivate both little children and big kids like me who are never too old for an adventure.

Hess says she illustrates all her work with a custom-made Montblanc pen that she affectionately calls Monty.