Megan Hess is one of the world’s most sought-after fashion illustrators, with a client list that includes Dior, Vanity Fair, Givenchy, Tiffany & Co., Wedgwood, Yves Saint Laurent, Vogue, Louis Vuitton, Montblanc, Harper’s Bazaar, Fendi, Prada and Cartier.
Megan was destined to draw. An initial career in graphic design transcended into art direction for some of the world’s leading advertising agencies and Art Direction for Liberty Department store in London. In 2006 Hess illustrated the New York Times number one selling book, Sex and the City.
After the release of Candace Bushnell’s book, Hess was catapulted onto the world stage and began illustrating portraits for the New York Times, Italian Vogue and Vanity Fair. Megan’s skills have been deployed by Bergdorf Goodman to create a signature look for the prestigious department store, and work has been commissioned by Harrods of London to create a bespoke bag collection for the iconic British department store. She has illustrated portraits for Michelle Obama, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman, and her iconic style has been used in global campaigns for FENDI, Prada, Cartier, Dior and Salvatore Ferragamo.
Megan has written and illustrated five best selling books: Fashion House: Illustrated Interiors from the Icons of Style, The Dress: 100 Iconic Moments in Fashion, Coco Chanel: The Illustrated World of a Fashion Icon, New York: Through a Fashion Eye and Paris: Through a Fashion Eye.
Name: Megan Hess
Website: meganhess.com
Facebook: @meganhessofficial
Instagram: @meganhess_official
1. What are three words that best describe you?
Creative, optimistic and curious.
2. Tell us why you’re awesome in two sentences or less.
I think my life is pretty awesome because I get to draw for a living. I get to wake up and create in my studio which is like winning the lottery every day to me.
3. What are your three biggest indulgences?
Sweets, travel and handbags.
Restaurant: Balthazar in New York
Food: Key Lime Pie
Cocktail: Margarita – straight up
Shopping destination/store: Soho in New York, Chelsea in London and Rue Cambon in Paris.
Fashion item: My first Chanel Bag. It’s in a pale caramel colour, quilted in signature Chanel and it’s just the perfect bag. It goes with any outfit that’s black or dark colored and it also goes with anything delicate and pale too.
More importantly, it’s so special to me because it was the first very expensive thing I ever bought and it was a symbol of a lot of hard work and saving. I’ve had it for many years now and I lovingly take care of it and always give it the pride of position in my wardrobe.
Place to hangout: Dinner at Hotel Costes – the best people watching spot in Paris.
City: NYC always. It exceeded my expectations the first time I traveled there and is still my favorite city.
Travel item: I wear the same Chanel cashmere cape on all long haul flights. It provides the perfect warmth and feels like a blanket. I never wear it in real life and as soon I arrive home I put it in dry cleaning so it’s all ready to go again on my next trip!
Beauty product: Rose de Grasse fragrance by Aerin
Skincare product: EVE LOM cleanser
Hostess gift: Laduree candle and a beautiful bunch of flowers (peonies or roses!)
Home décor item: Pink Peonies
Book: The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Website: Tory Burch
Magazine: Vanity Fair
5. What’s the ONE thing you absolutely can’t live without?
My family. My husband and two children really are everything to me and they make everything worthwhile. There’s no point in any great moments if you don’t have special people to share it all with.
6. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Negative people with pessimistic outlooks. I love to be surrounded by calm positive people who bring out the best in others!
7. If you could have dinner with anyone (living or not) who would it be, and WHY?
Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Sophia Loren. Because they are the original style icons and I would love to have all three in one room.
8. What does it mean to you to have a strong, engaging brand and how has having one helped you?
It has given me a purpose, a drive and a dream to keep chasing. Having a brand and watching it grow has made me realize that literally anything is possible.
9. What is one piece of advice you would give your younger self?
Enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Sometimes I think we spend so much time getting to the next thing that we forget to stop and enjoy the process of getting there.
10. What is one piece of advice you would give to women today about staying true to themselves and succeeding on their own terms?
Decide what the one thing is that would make you excited to spring out of bed on a Monday morning and do it for a career. Write down a plan and strategy to make that dream happen and start on it TODAY.
You don’t need to suddenly quit your current job or dramatically change your life but taking the first step is always the hardest, so decide to do it today. Never, ever give up on that dream. If it’s something that you love then you will enjoy the process regardless of the outcome.
1. Chanel Cashmere Cape
This is a vintage thrifter’s jackpot, and we wish you luck finding your own. But we also hope we find it first..
$1,890+, therealreal.com (sold out but keep searching ????)
2. Pink Peonies
These pretty flowers are the perfect pick-me-up to keep at home.
$66 – $76, bouqs.com
3. Eve Lom Cleanser
This cleanser has won awards. It cleanses, decongests, tones, exfoliates and will remove all your water proof makeup.
$50/50ml, neimanmarcus.com
4. Laduree Candle
Lauduree candles are like presents to burn, and there are so many incredible scents to choose from! Citrus, honey, rose… pine, juniper, coriander… ????
$47 – $56, laduree.fr/en/
5. Montblanc Pen
Montblanc’s elegant pens are iconic and refined. Styles go for over $500, but you can use this link to find your next office splurge starting at $345!
$345 – $1,365, jomashop.com or montblanc.com
6. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
A bestseller made into a successful motion picture, this tragic love story reveals the destructive effects of wealth and social hypocrisy in a fashionable, turn-of-the-century New York society. ????????????
Free, amazon.com
7. iPad
A tool so necessary Megan’s bringing hers to the desert island!
$329 – $1,279, apple.com
8. Rose de Grasse Fragrance by Aerin
Inspired by the timeless beauty of roses… ???? Available as body wash, body cream, and perfume.
$65 – $950, bloomingdales.com or aerin.com
9. Chanel Handbag
Megan still cherishes her first Chanel bag, and most do. The quality and timelessness makes the splurge worth it. You can’t go wrong with the quilted signature. <3
$3,000+, therealreal.com or chanel.com
10. Key Lime Pie
Click the link for an easy crust, filling, and topping game plan for this delicious classic. ????
Around $15 for ingredients at your local grocery store
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