Art Attack: Paris—Through A Fashion Eye by Megan Hess

Bonjour! Paris is the epitome of romance, an epicenter of elegance, and the empire of fashion. Australian illustrator MEGAN HESS has dedicated her love toward Paris by working with Dior Couture, Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Chanel. Through her inimitable fashion eyes, Hess takes us on a personal tour of her favourite places to play, shop, sleep and eat in the City of Lights.

From the preparation of the luggage to Paris, Megan Hess decides to take Chanel Le Boy, large sketchbook, travel diary, Cartier scarf, party dress, Coco Chanel scent, Dior slippers and Hermès bangles while staying in Paris. Perhaps the places to stroll, such as Grand Palais at Paris Fashion Week or Moulin Rouge may be slightly difficult for some casual visitors, still, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Pont Alexandre III, Paris Garnier or Grand Musée du Parfum are still the inexpensive luxury surroundings to enjoy. 

About the shopping suggestions, Mega Hess lists almost every top French House to allure readers’ desires from A to Z. Nevertheless, local-known-only such as Merci, Cire Trudon, Chantal Thomass or Annick Goutal, from page to page, the brief brand histories and store locators are never missed; and the most interesting is, Parisian high-end boutique Colette has already closed in 2017 before the date of publication of this book, yet trough illustrator’s brushes, on the page, the fashion fan’s mecca store stands an impeccable status in Paris, through a fashion eye. 

I visited Paris, twice, when I was at my twenties. It was, it is, and I deeply believe, that it still will be outstandingly fascinated, that forever leaving an unforgettable imprint in my mind. I was brave enough to linger around at high-end districts like a nomad, but was with too a little budget to enjoy Hôtel Plaza Athénée or Ritz Paris, but still I seized the chance to enjoy a cup of cappuccino at Café de Flore and shopped the skincare products at Galeries Lafayette. Indeed that Hess’ recommendation is somehow beyond the extravagance, yet readers can wander the most luxurious scenario together with model characters together at every page turn. For the hues of illustration of the whole book, Hess adapts merely black and white, plus the key colours of the House or Hotel, such as Christian Louboutin is poppy red, Hermès the tangerine orange, or Lacoste the olive evergreen. On the introduction pages, pastel pink is the key, with black bold fonts, and the hardcover adding up the touch of copper gold to complete the richness of the book design.

For the photography shooting of Paris: Through A Fashion Eye, following Hess’ ‘favorite things to pack for Paris’ on page 10 and 11 , I place my own essentials, for the imagination of my future Paris trip, such as Chanel Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum pour le sac, Chanel Rouge Allure No. 4, Chanel logo earrings, Dior shining eye shadow, Chloé sunglasses and mini notebook. They are my favorites while I am on the road, and the highly symbolically is, that they are all Made in France.

Paris: Through A Fashion Eye is definitely a dream book while staying outside of Paris, on the bed during the freezing night, the essential to access the fine symbol of pure beauty.