Megan Hess: A World of Possibilities
Megan Hess
Fashion illustrator Megan Hess is a Melburnian with global reach.
A graphic designer turned iconic illustrator, Megan Hess has worked with the who’s who of the fashion world. In recent years, her bestselling books, including her beloved children’s Claris series, have become household favourites. In this interview, Mary Martin bookseller Cat talks to Megan about her illustrious career, from the pages of Vogue to the White House!
How did your career as an illustrator come about?
I studied graphic design because it felt like a ‘real’ job in the art world, but I always wanted to be an illustrator—I just never knew back then that it was a possible career choice! After working as an art director in ad agencies for several years, I packed everything up and moved to London. It was there that I worked a million different creative jobs. I realised in my final London job as the art director for Liberty Department Store that I had a burning desire to be an artist. Whilst I loved art-directing fashion, I loved illustrating it more.
I started to do very small illustrations for Liberty, and from this other art directors saw my work and little commissions began to follow. After about a year I found myself with non-stop work. I wasn’t earning a fortune but I’d never been happier and I knew I was going to do this forever.
As my clients got bigger and better I was able to be a little more selective and just work on briefs that I knew had a great creative opportunity. Then in 2006, I got a call in the middle of the night from Candace Bushnell’s publisher asking if I would illustrate her next novel One Fifth Avenue. This was when things took off at rapid speed for me. Her book became a New York Times bestseller, and I met with Candace and she asked me to illustrate all her previous books, including the cover of Sex and The City.
Once Sex and the City was released, I was contacted by TIME Magazine and Vanity Fair in New York to create portraits for them. Following this, I began illustrating for Tiffany & Co, Chanel, Dior, Cartier, Italian Vogue, Bergdorf Goodman, Prada, Fendi... Ironically, at the same time as my work finally took off, I had my first baby! It’s funny, I always tell people that I basically haven’t slept since 2006!
Your latest fashion book The Illustrated World of Couture celebrates the classic haute fashion houses. Who are your ultimate fashion inspirations, in both your personal style and illustrative work?
I truly love the craftsmanship of couture. To me, they’re works of art. The more crazy and imaginative, the better. I also love the world that surrounds couture, the drama of the shows and the stories behind each collection. So many people are involved in making one single garment and I find the process utterly fascinating. I adore so many different designers of couture but nothing will ever really top when Karl Lagerfeld was alive because his shows for Chanel were so utterly spectacular!
‘Never, ever give up on the dream. If it's something that you love then you will enjoy the process regardless of the outcome.’
The adorable Claris in Paris series is a much beloved kid’s favourite. What first inspired you to write the story of the chicest mouse in Paris?
It was during my time in Paris, researching for my book Paris Through a Fashion Eye, that I had a wonderful idea... I was sitting on my little balcony at Le Bristol Hotel (where I was their artist in residence) and I thought I saw a little mouse on a neighbouring rooftop scurrying across the building.
I remember thinking how wonderfully chic it would be to live in Paris, even if you were only a tiny little mouse! I also really wanted the character to be an animal rather than a person because it allows me to explore a whole other world that humans can’t see! I also loved that she’s so small and dainty and yet she’s so strong because of her determination. I wanted to fashion world to be the backdrop of escapism in her stories but the biggest element always her enormous heart.
Paris features so lovingly in your work. If it were possible to fly there tomorrow, where would you visit first?
Paris is the first city I truly first fell in love with and I find it the most inspiring city in the world. The architecture, the food, the fashion... It has inspired so much of my work.
If I were to fly there tomorrow, the first place I would visit is Cafe de Flore. I’d order a glass of rose, a petite cheese platter and I would just start sketching! That’s my version of heaven.
You have such an amazing variety of skills and projects, including portraiture, book illustration, interior design (the list goes on!). What advice would you give to emerging creatives on how to build a career and manage multiple projects?
First, decide what is the one thing that would make you excited to spring out of bed on a Monday morning and do it for your 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 the dream. If it's something that you love then you will enjoy the process regardless of the outcome. Once you make that first step, you’ll find the space and capacity to take on more things that make your heart sing!
What have been your career highlights?
Creating a film noir animation for Prada in Milan was wonderful. I also LOVED working with Fendi on the SS18 Collection. It started with sketching live at their show in Milan Fashion Week—then it was creating a series of illustrations based on the collection—and then it was turning that into an animated piece. The campaign was global so it was incredibly exciting, I loved every second of it.
For me, the most exciting projects always involve working with new, creative and talented people. I always learn something new and I always discover a different way of looking at the world. I like to be kept on my toes!
You did a series of portraits for Michelle Obama. What was that experience like?
Terrifying! Not because she’s terrifying but because it was such a big project and I desperately wanted to get it right! I was asked by her publisher to create ten portraits of her and it was during the time she was the first lady in the White House. Michelle Obama is truly one of the most inspiring women of our time and that series of portraits is one of my proudest collections of art.
What are some of your favourite books and illustrators?
I LOVE books in general. I love enormous coffee table books, to spine-tingling crime thrillers, to sweet children’s books... I love so many different types of books. Getting lost in a bookstore is my favourite way to spend an afternoon.
Some of my favourite authors are Edith Wharton, Margaret Atwood, Roald Dahl, Beatrix Potter. As for book illustrators, I love everything by David Roberts and I think Ben Wood, who illustrates the Real Pigeons series, is so incredibly talented. There are so many that I love who all illustrate in their own unique way and style.
What are you up to next?
I have so many wonderful things happening this year.
My fabulous frogs have just landed! Oli and Basil: The Dashing Frogs Of Travel has just been released. This is the first book in my World of Claris series and I can’t wait for everyone to fall in love with this handsome duo!
My most popular book, Coco Chanel: The Illustrated World Of a Fashion Icon, is also being re-released in April this year in a beautiful larger scale new edition. I’m so excited for that and to celebrate such a remarkable woman. Of everyone in fashion, Coco Chanel is still who I find most inspiring.
I also have a brand new Claris adventure out later this year—I’m literally drawing it right now and all I can say is, this one is my most detailed book ever! Its almost killing me but it will be worth it!
There are other wonderful projects and lovely surprises coming out this year. All completely different but all created with the same intention—to make someone smile and to inspire. Ultimately, that’s why I love to draw and create.
You can see Megan Hess’s beautiful artwork ‘A World of Possibilities’ in the windows of our Southbank store until the 31st March 2021.
For a chance to win a signed set of Megan Hess’s books, jump in our window and Strike a pose before the end of March. We also have a range of signed Megan Hess books available to purchase both in store and online.
