Megan Hess is a famous fashion Illustrator who works with luxury fashion brands around the globe. She is based in Melbourne and is inspired by fashion trends, and old world glamor. She has worked with many fashion brands such as Chanel, Prada, Dior, Tiffany & Co, Louis Vuitton and Cartier. Her Instagram account is a beautiful blend of art, fashion, interior design, graphic design and of course, illustrations.
Arab News contacted Hess for a quick interview to learn more about her personality, work and future plans:

What first got you interested into art?
I’ve always loved drawing ever since I was a little girl. It’s always been the one thing that I felt I was good at and it’s always given my life a sense of joy.

What is your academic background?
I studied graphic design and began my career working as an art director. I always dreamed of being a fashion Illustrator and eventually I made the transition into working in that field full time.

How did your big break come?
My big break came when I was asked to illustrate the New York Times best selling book: Sex and The City. After that project my work was seen on a global scale and I began working with many luxury brands: Chanel, Dior, Prada, Tiffany and Co, Cartier and so on.

What inspires you when working on a new piece?
A great brief and lots of inspiration from books, film, music ...

Do you have a certain ritual you follow when you work on a new design?
I always allow a good amount of time in the initial planning stages to hone the best idea. Then once I have it all planned out in my head, I’m like a runaway train actually getting it all drawn up!

You have started a “Monday and Friday” series, which is how I first came to know of you. Tell us about that.
This just happened organically really. I always have a sense of joy that it is Friday and love creating a little illustration that puts a spring in everyone’s step on that day! And Monday I just really love my coffee! It’s a theme that connects us and more than anything, it’s just a bit of fun.

You have collaborated with different international fashion houses and brands, how does the process happen when you collaborate with each brand?
A luxury brand will normally call or e-mail me to discuss a new project. The initial process can take many Skype calls and nutting out the concept — then it’s a matter of actually creating the illustrations.

Talk to us about your books.
I have two books with the third one about to be released in a few weeks.
For “Fashion House” (my first book), I recreated inspirational surroundings of fashion icons including Coco Chanel, Donatella Versace, Audrey Hepburn, Tom Ford and Grace Kelly — the book is a celebration of exquisite fashion and interior design. In my second book “The Dress: 100 Iconic Moments in Fashion”, I explore the memorable dresses that have shaped the course of couture in recent decades. From the simple elegance of Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, to the promise of the romantic fairytale in Princess Di’s never-ending wedding dress, to the absurdity of Lady Gaga’s meat dress, I celebrate the dress’s finest moments and take you — the reader — on a decadent romp through couture history.
My third book (coming out in October) “COCO CHANEL — The Illustrated World of a Fashion Icon” is the illustrated story of Coco Chanel’s life — an insight to the many iconic designs that she created and the magical world of Coco Chanel that still remains today.

You have designed a number of book covers, what is the process when designing a book cover from start to finish.
I’m usually sent an early manuscript from the publisher — I read this and then present cover ideas. Once the publisher and author are on board with my concept I then begin sketching.

What are you working on right now?
I’m just about to release my next book ‘COCO CHANEL — The Illustrated World of a Fashion Icon’ so we have lots of travel and events coming up to celebrate and promote its release.

What are your plans for 2016?
I will be releasing new print collections, home wares and announcing some very exciting collaborations! I’m very excited for the year ahead.