Elegance: The Beauty of French Fashion

Join internationally renowned fashion illustrator Megan Hess as she explores the timeless beauty and glamour of ten of France's best-loved designers in a stylish celebration of one of the world’s favourite fashion destinations.

From the courts of Versailles to the cobbled streets of Paris, French fashion has always been the epitome of elegance. Whether it's Dior's New Look, Yves Saint Laurent's Le Smoking jacket or Chanel's little black dress, the masters of French fashion understand that clothing is more than a craft: it’s an art form.

Megan Hess’s love for French-style sparked her career in fashion illustration. In these pages, she unspools the threads of ten legendary designers – Chanel, Dior, Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Givenchy, Chloé, Balmain, Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Celine – to discover the origins of haute couture, prêt-à-porter and everything chic.

Accompanied by Megan’s exquisite illustrations of current and archival collections, Elegance: The Beauty of French Fashion tells the story of how France’s iconic fashion houses have influenced the very fabric of design. 

About the Author:

Megan Hess was destined to draw. An initial career in graphic design evolved into art direction for some of the world’s leading design agencies. In 2008, Hess illustrated the New York Times number-one-selling book Sex and the City, written by Candace Bushnell. She has since illustrated for Dior Couture, created iconic illustrations for Cartier and Louis Vuitton in Paris, dreamed up animations for Prada and Fendi in Milan, illustrated the windows of Bergdorf Goodman in New York, and created a capsule collection of bags for Harrods of London.

Hess’s signature style can also be found on her bespoke, limited-edition prints and homewares sold around the globe. Her renowned clients include Chanel, Dior, Fendi, Tiffany & Co., Saint Laurent, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Harrods, Cartier, Balmain, Louis Vuitton and Prada.

Megan is the author of five bestselling fashion books and a picture book for children. She is the Global Artist in Residence for the Oetker Masterpiece Hotel Collection.