Cher & Dionne

Happy Sunday Darlings!!

I've just returned from this week's Would You Rock This? drawing session held at my Alma Mater FIT (*sigh*). Walking through those hallways certainly brought back a floodgate of wonderful memories. We were so fortunate to be hosted by famed illustrator Steven Broadway today, who reminded us that fashion really is all about the gesture, the moment.

I've titled this post Cher & Dionne because his selected outfits felt so reminiscent of my all time favorite movie Clueless. And now I'm wishing I was back in Cali cruising through Beverly Hills. Anyways my loves, tomorrow calls for early morning market meetings so I'm off. I've been making a lot of progress behind the scenes and I can't wait to share the results with you all. Sleep tight...

Much love,
Meag xx

Material Girl

Good Evening Lovelies!!

Hope you've all been enjoying your weekends. I'm so elated that I had back to back drawing sessions this week (John Jay Cabuay at the Society of Illustrators Thursday night and Would You Rock This at the Ripley Grier Studios this afternoon). It feels so incredible to be drawing regularly again and today was just beyond.

Brandon Graham, of Would You Rock This, purchased these incredible props (Moet & Chandon bottles, Chanel N0 5, Coach purse etc) which elevated the experience to another level. You really had to think about the product, how to sell it, how to merchandise your own fashion illustration. The finished piece became a mini ad.

I have a few more drawings I'd like to post from today's session but right now the friends are calling and karaoke in Chinatown awaits. Jusqu'a demain.

Much love,
Meag xx

Custo Barcelona Fall 2013

Hola Babies!!

I'm hoping you had a fantastic weekend!! A few lucky New Yorkers, myself included, got to soak up a beautiful three day weekend. I caught up with friends over delicious brunches and macrobiotic meals lol and strolled around SOHO and painted and...you get the point. Anyway, as promised, here are my final illustrations from the Custo Barcelona show last Sunday. Nothing ever compares to the rush of inspiration brought on by seeing these clothes coming down the runway.

I got a little feedback from the Custo Barcelona Social Media team, who retweeted my sketches from the show, and left some smiles on my facebook post. I'm hoping they are pleased with these sketches as well. Alright loves, time for sleep.

Much love,
Meag xx

Illustrating at Custo Barcelona Fall 2013 NY Fashion Week

Hi Friends! It's me, Meagan Morrison, at #MBFW

Custo Barcelona Runway Lights Down

Custo Barcelona Illustrations Drawn Fresh from the Runway!

Custo Barcelona Final Runway Walk

Girls Sitting Pretty in the #MBFW Tents

 Good Evening Lovers!!

I made it through NYFWeekend and I'm so proud that I managed to illustrate fresh drawings from every runway show I attended. Custo Barcelona this afternoon was hot, hot, hot, though it seems style.com disagrees with me. Furs and sequins and minis and textures and layers plus a 'beauty meets beast' aesthetic was to die for. Also, sweet little bonus that they showed both men's and women's together. It made the show longer hence allowing the audience to savor the experience.

I stuck around the tents afterwards for a golden opportunity to illustrate the fashion pack. As luck would have it, I ended up sitting near the lovely Rachel and Liz of thatschic.net and lateafternoonblog.com who politely asked to photograph me while illustrating. They were so sweet and enthusiastic about my work it made me all the more excited to be drawing from the lively environment. My goal for next Fashion Week is definitely to get backstage to illustrate precious prep time.

Well babes, once again it's time for SLEEP. Tomorrow I'm slammed with back to back design meetings and I have three days to turn over my illustrations to Would You Rock This from today's show. Wish me luck.

Much love,
Meag xx

Illustrating at Tibi Fall 2013 NY Fashion Week

Tibi FW13 Front Row

Tomo and I soaking up Tibi

Runway Lights

Look 1 Drawn Off the Runway

Model Mayhem

Look 2 Drawn Off the Runway

Tibi Final Walk

Hola Babes!!

I finally took the plunge today and drew from the ACTUAL runway at Tibi's FW13 show at Pier 59 this evening. I can't believe I did it!! Usually I'm too overwhelmed and elated just to be attending the show that I can't think about capturing models walking at lightening speed down the runway.

The show was very clean and minimal, mixing highlighter bright greens and blues, with black leather and graphic prints. Oh and it had a pretty jammed front row including Olivia Palermo, Hannah Bronfman, and every major blogger in town!! Tomo and I even had a moment with Katie Holmes out by the elevator (yes we stood next to her and it was fabulous).

Anyway, time for some sleep. I have another big day tomorrow at Lincoln Center!!

HUGS & KISSES,
Meag xx

LINEWORK

Hello Baby Dolls,

Happy, happy Friday...well make that Saturday!! It's past midnight in NYC and the city is blanketed under the spell of Nemo. What a way to treat New York Fashion Week (Hello Mother Nature, don't you know that this is like the most important time of the year?!!). Anyway, I'm barely awake and riding high off of my first week at Collection 18, my drawing session Thursday night at the Society of Illustrators, and some FANTASTIC NEWS I received at around 10:30 PM ce soir eeekk!!

Thank goodness I practiced my illustration linework the other night because it looks like I'm going to be drawing at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week this weekend YAY!! Oh and super bonus: my sugar free diet is working like a charm (minus the maniacal daily cravings). I have more energy now than I have for years and I'm feeling like a superhero illustration | design machine yipee skipee. Well friends, it's time for ZZzzz. I have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious weekend ahead.

Can't wait to catch up with you soon!!

HUGS & KISSES,
Meag xx

SUGAR FREE

New Year - New Lifestyle. Lovelies, I'm going sugar free.

It isn't so much a choice as it is a necessity. Sometimes when you go to one extreme, you have to swing the pendulum back the other way to get on track again. Needless to say, I'm relearning how to eat...well.

Those of you who know me, and I mean really know me, would probably describe me as one of the most indulgent people on the planet. I love decadence. I love champagne, and steak tartar, and duck confit on a Wednesday night just because I can. That is what makes me, me. I have a real thirst for the luxuries of life.

This is also why up until now, living in the center of Manhattan has coincided with every fiber of my being. You can live life here to the absolute extremes. Sunday brunches with fantastic dj's and unlimited mimosas, dinner dates with friends any night of the week, bar openings, gallery hoping, movie screenings, soho shopping sprees...there are no limits here, period. But when you're told pretty explicitly that you need to quit eating sugar NOW, suddenly there are limits (BIG ones).

You don't realize, until you are forced to pay realllly close attention, just how much sugar the average person consumes daily. From your milk/juice in the morning, to your salad dressing at dinner, just about every meal contains sugar. Perhaps the biggest shock of all for me is realizing just how much changing the food in my life affects absolutely everything else in my life too.

Suddenly living in a shoebox apartment in the West Village with no kitchen space doesn't seem so ideal for a person who now needs to prepare their own meals. Going out dancing a few minutes from home doesn't have the same 'win' feeling when having to explain why you can't drink with everyone else. Everything from where I eat to where I hangout is now influenced by my new diet.

Now I'm on the eve of starting a new job and I can't help but wonder how I will maintain a sugar free life in the face of new stresses and deadlines. When you change your life-source (ie food) you undoubtedly change your whole entire life. And despite whatever alarming inconveniences/cravings I faced in beginning this new chapter, I feel my body changing for the better. With less sugar comes diminished anxiety, fatigue, and weight, which is replaced with clearer skin, more energy, and a much more balanced life.

This is just the beginning for me and with it comes a new thirst for life (a much healthier one too). And I'm beyond excited to see where this new lifestyle takes me.

Have any of you gone sugar free? I would love to hear about your experiences below.

Much love,
Meag xx 

TWD Darling: Kelly Cutrone

"I happen to believe the world will change only when we change ourselves. And that starts with finding ourselves. And that starts with listening to ourselves: learning to quiet the clamor in our minds and the voices of everyone around us and move toward what feels right - toward the things we know, for reasons we can't explain, that we're meant to do, the things that make us feel alive."

- Kelly Cutrone 

You know the expression "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear"? Well, I think that might be the most accurate way to describe how I came to read (thrice) Kelly Cutrone's "If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You". Cutrone is a wildly successful PR maven who is known for her no holds barred attitude and honest approach to business. But above all else, she is a woman who lives in her truth. For this reason alone, I felt compelled to read her book, paint her portrait, and become closely engrossed in the world of Kelly Cutrone.

When I initially started the TWD Darling portion of my blog, I had always hoped to draw (both literally and figuratively) attention to truly inspiring individuals. I never imagined, however, that I would be moved this profoundly by another person's written words. The truth is I found myself again by finding Kelly. For the past year and a half I had felt so lost and confused at times trying to navigate my career in New York. So much so that I stopped hearing my own voice and replacing it with the deafening noise of doubt and fear.

Can I make it? What if I fail? Is this ever going to happen for me? were the mantras that played on rotation in my mind.

And then I opened the book of Cutrone, and was reminded why I began the journey to New York, why I started this blog, why I've made decisions to pass on certain opportunities and not others. I was reminded to always be my most authentic self because "ultimately, if you're doing what you're meant to do - if you're in your truth - doors will open for you." And that "even when your wallet or your need to be on a VIP list is calling you, stand strong and remember what your brand is about." I was reminded of what I've known all along, to stay true to me.

I could write pages on the amazing pearls of wisdom overflowing in this book but rather I will advise you just to read it on your own. It isn't just for the young NYC fashion hopefuls, but for anyone venturing through life with a quest for the truth. Ultimately, your life comes down to you, what you want, what you hope and dream for. You are the foundation of your own world and you manifest your own destiny. Start with you and the rest will follow. Kelly, if you ever read this, thank you for being so brave and sharing your truth with this book. You helped me to find mine again too.

Much love,
Meag xx 

Armani: Through the Eyes of Illustrators

Armani SS13

Happy, Happy New Year Everyone!!

I hope you had the most spectacular holiday season with your loved ones. I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted here. The final month leading up to Christmas was quite hellish for me. My life sort of came crashing down and I was really forced to reevaluate things. In any case, here I am, back and recharged; perhaps still thinking things through but much stronger than I was before.

Best of all, my first post of 2013 is a celebratory one. I have been dying to share here, since late October, that I had been contacted by ARMANI's Digital Communication Worldwide and asked to contribute an original illustration to their facebook album Armani: Through the Eyes of Illustrators. I was so unbelievably honored and excited that I nearly burst at the seams.

My final piece has been added to the beautifully curated album alongside several other EXTREMELY talented illustrators worldwide. Be sure to check it out here and stay tuned for many more TWD posts to come. Lastly, but certainly not least, thank you to all my amazing followers (new and old) for keeping me so inspired and motivated every step of the way. I love you all.

Much love, many hugs, and so many kisses!!
Meag xx

On The Fringe

Coco Rocha VOGUE Mexico

I have a small confession to make friends. I'm on the fringe.

In fact, my whole life I've been on the fringe.

I was never popular in school. For better or worse, I've always marched to the beat of my own drum. It dawned on me recently, as I inch ever more closely to my five year mark in New York, that I still very much exist on the fringe.

Before I moved here I imagined my life looking very differently. I believed so naively that New York would embrace me like a coveted gem. I would be invited to all the "in" parties. I would make an impression, do things differently, really be a "somebody". Truth be told, that couldn't be further from reality.

Somehow after three and a half years here, I still exist on the fringe. I still peer from the sidelines, hoping, praying for my big break. I wonder if my affinity for integrity, for sincerity, has somehow relegated me to no man's land in the business world. If only I could schmooze better, have a little more edge, maybe, just maybe, I could get ahead.

But by the same token I wonder if being on the inside is really anymore fun?! Perhaps being on the fringe is really where the exciting stuff happens. When you aren't looking over your shoulder all the time, wondering who is watching you, whether you look the right way, or are associating with the right people, maybe you actually just get to be...

Not long ago I listened to the remarkable David Downton speak at FIT. He said that he never wanted to be "in" fashion because that meant you eventually had to be "out". So perhaps, after all is said and done, being on the fringe is really where I ought to be...

Meag xx

Hard Rock

Jason Wu - KARLIE BOX CLUTCH

Hello My Lovelies!!

I've missed you oh so much. I finally had the opportunity to paint just for me this weekend and it felt incredible. A big weight was lifted from my shoulders a few days ago and I feel like, for the first time in possibly three years, I can really think clearly about what and where my life is going. Since obtaining my work visa in the United States I had really lost sight of why I even came to New York in the first place - to be a fashion illustrator. Sometimes the universe smacks you right in the face in order to steer you right back on track.

So how does this GORGEOUS Jason Wu clutch fit into all of this?! Firstly, and quite simply, because I loved the giant gem/crystal trend that happened this fall (ahem Prada). Secondly, because I had just done an interview with FASHIONISMYWAY and talked about how New York requires a little a lot of armor in your wardrobe. It's such a hard knock city, not for the faint of heart, and something about this clutch felt very metaphoric of how I feel most of the time here; shiny, vibrant, and polished on the outside - vulnerable and delicate on the inside.

Anyway, I'm feeling some big changes coming in my life and I couldn't be happier. Sometimes when everything is falling apart it is actually falling into place.

Much love,
Meag xx

A Tale of Three Handbags

Hello My Darlings!!

I'm finally back on TWD woohoo!! I've wanted to do this post since before I left for Europe back in September. I had this idea about embodying each city (New York, London, Paris) in a handbag. I do work for a handbag company here in New York after all ;). I spend so much time everyday staring at bags, making interesting graphics, thinking about trends, that naturally I relate everything to handbags now. Kate Spade, Alexander McQueen, and Hermes seemed like the perfect designers to capture the essence of New York, London, and Paris respectively.

I can't begin to tell you how good it feels to be posting this. I'm finally starting to feel like myself again. And with so many exciting prospects coming my way, I assure you I will be updating here A LOT more frequently. I also want to thank ALL of my new Travel Write Draw Facebook Page followers. You have no idea how touched I am that you have been so receptive to it. That is definitely the space to get behind the scenes with me and my illustrations on TWD. Anyway, I'm happy to announce that Postcard from Paris is on its way so stayyyy tuned my loves!!

Much love,
Meag xx

Portraits from FNO at Lord & Taylor

Happy 2nd Birthday Travel Write Draw!!

Hello My Loves,

It's TRAVEL WRITE DRAW'S 2ND BIRTHDAY YAY!! Can you believe it?! It's already been two years since starting this heartfelt journey of blogging and illustrating for the worldwide web. I am so beyond grateful for this experience, everything I've learned from it, and all the opportunities that have come my way as a result. I've made incredible friendships with inspiring individuals through this blog. I've been found by wonderful people from my past. I've traveled the world even if I was just sitting behind my computer screen in Manhattan.

Travel Write Draw means everything to me. I like to think of my blog as my raison d'etre. It pushes me to be better, to challenge myself, to grow, to communicate, to fail, and to be stronger. Whenever I feel down, or disconnected, all I have to do is prepare a post here and I know I'm not far from anyone. I never dreamed that I would have come this far and I'm that much more encouraged to see where it goes from here. Thank you to EVERY ONE of my loving supporters, my family and friends, and all of you who continue to root for me along the way.

I promise to pay you back one day ;)!! I must sign-off so my blog can blow its candles and make its wish for the year.

Much love,
Meag xx

Packing List: Labor Day Getaway London & Paris

Hello Lovelies!!

I can't believe HOW quickly my trip crept up on me and now I'm manically packing for my getaway to London and Paris tomorrow. I have so many people and places to see, I'm beyond excited. Of course, the fun can't begin until the obligatory suitcase styling commences. On second thought, that is actually where the fun starts!! What's on my packing list for Labor Day in London and Paris?! Check out my illustrated essentials to see:

Annabelle Dexter-Jones Denim Flat Cap - Faith Connexion

Anabela Asymmetric Leather Biker Jacket - IRO

Honey Lip Lacquer in Aurora Apple Red - Bite Beauty

Bachelor Round Toe Flat - Sigerson Morrison

Two-Tone Stretch-Jersey Contour Dress - Stella McCartney

Covent Garden Clutch - BODHI

Deluxe Hand Me Down Stack Ring - Henri Bendel

Where are you all spending this fabulous Labor Day weekend and what's on your packing list?! Can't wait to bring back loads of pics and inspiration galore. See you all soon.

Much love,

Meag xx

Mary Katrantzou Illustration Competition

UPDATE: I MADE TOP 10 VOTED BY YOU!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone for showing your support. I'm unbelievably touched and grateful for all the reposts on facebook and words of encouragement.

To check out the TOP 10 VOTED BY YOU click here!!

Hello Loves,

I hope you had a fabulous weekend!! I finally managed to illustrate my submission for the Mary Katrantzou Illustration Competition. Only one day shy of the competition deadline (I work best under pressure ;). The entries thus far have been absolutely mind blowing. Check them out for yourself here on their facebook page and wish me luck!!

Much love,
Meag xx

New York - London - Paris!!

Hello Again Darlings,

I'm so excited firstly to be posting twice in one weekend, and secondly to be announcing my imminent travels to EUROPE. August 29th I will be zipping off for an extended labor day weekend to visit not one, but two, of my favorite cities in the WHOLE world. London, Paris, London, Paris, oh my where do I even begin?! The vibe, the sweets, the art, the fashion, I'm bursting at the seams with excitement. It's been five years since I was last in Paris and my heart aches thinking of all the things I miss so dearly. Laduree I'm giving you ample warning!!

Before I sign off I would love to ask you, my beautiful readers, what you would like to see more of from my upcoming travels? In the past I've blogged massive postcards but I'm thinking of breaking it up. I want to be able to cover more individual moments, special happenings, amazing street style, cool on site sketches?! What do you all think? Travel is after all at the forefront of my inspiration here on TWD, so why not delve a little deeper into my getaways across the globe?! Let me read your thoughts below...

Bisous Bisous,
Meag

REDHOT

Girl who loves to dream,

Lives her life to the extreme,
With adrenaline....

Girl who longs to explore,
With the fruit down to the core,
Because she wanted more,
Yes she wanted more....

If you're gonna crash and burn,
Be prepared to take your turn,
In the game of up & down,
Yeah up & down...

(Scent - Up & Down Lyrics)

Hello My Lovelies!!!!

Hope you're soaking up this REDHOT summer to the maximum. Just wanted to blog a quick post before heading to sleep. Too many new, fun, and exciting things happening at the moment to even begin formulating sentences right now. Instead I present you with this Dolce & Gabbana SS12 earring inspired piece. Can't get enough of their almost edible collection. And speaking of jewelry, shout-out to my talented blogger friend/follower Cindy Moniz and her beautiful Etsy Shop. Check her work out for super cute summer finds.

Can't wait to update you all with my new adventures. G night until then.

Much love,
Meag xx

I scream, you scream...

My iPhone Case Designs

New Popsicle Party Print

SHOP - My Society6 Boutique

we all scream for...iPhone cases!! Well, probably not, but I certainly had a blast putting these designs together for my Society6 Shop.

Oh my darlings, I'm ashamed it has once again taken me a decade to post something new on my beloved blog. But, as I'm sure you know, so much has (and continues) to go on behind the scenes. I don't want to disclose anything just yet, but I will say that after three very lonnnggg years of working my a$$ off in New York, things are finally starting to payoff. I'm having one of the most exciting and rewarding summers yet. There are still a few hoops to jump through to get to my next move but at least I'm having an absolute blast in NYC along the way.

So apart from promoting my new iPhone case designs I also wanted to propose just how important it is to never stop believing in yourself. Having hope and perseverance is 90% of the battle. Odds are, if you don't stop trying, something is eventually going to click ;)!! Wishing you all a beautiful sun-kissed week!!

Much love,
Meag xx

Food & Fashion

Karlie Kloss in Dolce & Gabbana - VOGUE Korea

Hello Hello Hello!!!!

My goodness it has been such a long time since I've been on my little blog. How have you all been? I'm not going to lie, apart from being crazy busy with work, I've definitely been soaking up my fav city during its greatest season. Last weekend alone I managed my way through four NY exhibitions: The Met's Schiaparelli and Prada - Impossible Conversations, James Franco's film launch at the New Museum, Cindy Sherman at the MoMA, and Chanel's Little Black Jacket in Soho. Alas, I couldn't get this post up sooner with all my gallery scouring and such.

Anyway, I'm super excited to be posting today's illustration since it was inspired by my beautiful brainiac bestie Emma Kadar-Penner and her thesis topic Food Motifs in Fashion and Textile Design. Miss K.P. just recently returned from a conference in Atlanta where she presented her genius thesis. From the second I caught a glimpse of her exhibit booth, I knew I found inspiration for my next blog post. Suddenly my desire to paint something from Dolce & Gabbana's SS12 collection fit within a food and fashion historical context.

Emma's abstract details:

"Louis XIV understood the economic possibilities of both fashion and food, capitalizing on these industries to synonymize France with luxury. By the end of the seventeenth-century, concepts of haute cuisine and haute couture came to define France's identity as an international arbiter of taste...the oddness of this pairing is why designers have chosen to incorporate food motifs into their designs - the surreal absurdity, playful humor, and unlikely juxtaposition create appealing and commercial fashion moments."

For those of you who have followed my blog for a while, you might remember my posts Living Laduree or Macaron Marie where I advocated that food and fashion are not separate but the same in a life of style. I think Emma does an amazing job supporting this argument with countless examples throughout history where designers have used food as their primary source of inspiration. It is clear in Dolce and Gabbana's SS12 collection that they too understand how food can be both luxurious and every bit surreal/humorous when sent down the runway.

If any of you are interested in delving further into the topic of food and fashion, feel free to email Emma at emmakpenner@gmail.com!!

Wishing you all a beautiful week ahead.

Lots of love,

Meag xx