Megan Hess' journey, from a young fascination with Audrey Hepburn's style in Breakfast at Tiffany's to a successful career in fashion illustration, is a testament to her talent. Working with leading design Houses like Chanel and Dior, the artist boasts an impressive portfolio. MOJEH recently spoke with Hess at the Emirates Lit Fest, learning more about her creative process, future plans and new book, Fashion in Colour, which showcases iconic looks from global fashion Houses. Here, we delve deeper into the world of her craft and the goal behind her latest release.
How did your journey as a fashion illustrator begin? What inspired you to pursue this path?
I have always loved to draw as a child but I sort of pinpoint the moment as when I first saw Breakfast at Tiffany's. When I saw the movie, it was the first time I'd ever really thought as a child about what Audrey Hepburn was wearing and I was just mesmerised by it.
That's when I looked into the fact that it was Givenchy and I think it sparked my love for fashion. But I had no idea that you could be a fashion illustrator. I didn't know that was a career option.
When I finished high school, I studied graphic design, more so because it felt like it was a creative path. However, it was never quite the right thing. I never regret doing it though because I use it in everything that I do. It's been a huge benefit.
From there, I worked in London and I started working in lots of different creative places and I discovered that you can illustrate for a career and so that was the beginning of my journey.
You work with almost all leading designer brands, which one do you enjoy illustrating for the most?
I love a lot of the different luxury brands because they're all very unique in what it is that makes them special. I think if I had to narrow it down to one, it's probably Dior, just because I love what Dior started as in the very beginning and I love that that's being kept throughout time. The world of Dior is always very inspiring.
Your latest book, Fashion in Colour, is a comprehensive collection. How long did it take you and what was the biggest challenge you faced?
The biggest challenge is generally always the same challenge in all of my fashion books. It's narrowing it down to what goes in and what doesn't. And so for each colour, I divided the book into the colour sections, and then I had to narrow it down to about ten key things per colour, which, when you think about the colour red, there aren't just ten moments that happened or were special. So that was probably the most difficult thing, really deciding what are the key things to go into this, what are the key things for each colour. There was a mixture of pure fashion things, so things that fashion designers have created, or moments in pop culture, like in a film or in music. I was just trying to find that balance and that was really tricky.
What part of the illustration process do you like the most?
There's three parts to the illustration process. There's the initial thinking of the idea and that formulation, which is sort of almost like the magical moment. Then there is the initial sketching of the illustration. And then it's bringing it to fruition.
I like each stage equally. I find that the very first stage is really crucial to get right and to really love what the illustration is going to be and what the idea is. Because, you don't want to get down to the second and third stage and realise there's a better idea. Each step is important but the very first stage, before I actually draw, is crucial.
You straddle the worlds of art and fashion, which one best describes your craft?
I'll say art, because ultimately even though I love fashion, I love the creative process the most. Sometimes when I'm creating things it's not directly about fashion and I still love it just as much, so I say art.
Are you working on any new projects?
I'm always working on new projects. I'm working on lots of new books for next year. I work on them almost a year in advance. I can't say what the topic is, but I'll have a big fashion book out next October which is almost at the stage of going to print now. That's how long it takes. Then lots of children's books as well!
