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.
