Australian fashion illustrator Megan Hess works with the likes of Chanel, Dior and Cartier creating chic images with Monty, her bespoke pen.  L’Officiel is delighted to share Lace Balloons with you, published in the September issue 2015 and chat to Megan about her wonderful illustrated world, white lace and Prada.

1. What did you love to draw most as a child?

When I was in primary school, I loved drawing my other class mates. At lunch time I would sit and sketch other kids in my class – even though they were pretty terrible drawings they did still actually look like them. I just loved drawing people from a young age and still today, people are my favourite subject matter to draw. These days I’ve swapped the classroom for the coffee shop as I draw un suspecting people sipping their coffee.

2. Describe your fashion style. What is your favourite item in your wardrobe?

I have become obsessed with white lace–it’s bordering on an addiction. Actually my wardrobe can be divided into three sections.

Section 1: White lace dresses, vintage, designer, old, new, I love them all. Chanel lace is my favourite.

Section 2: Black. I wear black most days drawing in my studio. I like more modern angular pieces, Rick Owens, Marc Jacobs, comfortable and layered.

Section 3: Tropical. I have a complete wardrobe for when I travel to a warm destination, Kaftans, Palazzo pants, silk scarves, crazy colours and patterns..Its the kind of clothes that are so much fun to wear on a vacation but never work in my real life so they stay packed in my suitcase waiting for the next adventure.

3. You have worked with some of the biggest fashion houses. What has been your most impressive job to date?

I have many favourite projects that have been very inspiring to work on. My most recent project with Prada in Milan was such a highlight. I worked with their creative team on the new Prada Raw Eyewear campaign which involved creating an animated Prada character with them. It took hundreds of illustrations to make the character walk and zillions of Skype calls to bring it all together but I loved every second of it!

 

4. What do you do when you get stuck for inspiration?

 If I’m working on an Illustration but I feel stuck for inspiration I’ll get up and literally walk out of the studio and just change my scenery. I’ll grab a coffee, flip through art and photography books on unrelated subjects. As soon as I stop ’trying’ to get a concept, one seems to naturally come. I also always turn any illustrations that I’ve been working on during the day completely over at the end of the day. This way when I get into the studio the next morning, I turn them back over and I can immediately see whats working and what isn’t. I’ve learnt that if you look at something for too long you can no longer see it with perspective.

5. What is next for Megan Hess?

I’m just about to release my next book and after a year and a half in the making, I’m very excited. Its called: COCO CHANEL – The Illustrated Life of a Fashion Icon. Its released this October and I will be embarking on a world book tour. I’m really looking forward to it.

Hess’s signature style can also be found on her bespoke range of silk scarves, cushions and Limited Edition prints sold around the globe.

Her first written and illustrated book Fashion House – illustrated interiors from the icons of style.

For more, see the Megan Hess website