Brisbane born Kerrie Hess one of the most well known name in the world of fashion illustration. Having worked with a myriad of international brands, including names like Chanel, Kate Spade New York, Louis Vuitton, and Collette Dinnigan, to create unique advertisements, magazine covers and even her own line of phone covers, there’s no doubt the gorgeous Hess (yes, sister of the equally successful fashion illustrator Megan Hess) has managed to carve out the kind of career dreams are made of.
We spoke to Kerrie to find out how she got her start in such a niche career, where she draws her inspiration, the realities of working abroad and what a day in the life of an accomplished fashion figure is really like…
RESCU: Being a fashion illustrator is kind of a dream job for many, and you’ve managed 15 years full time and only getting stronger. Tell us a little about how you got your start
Kerrie Hess: Oh thank you so much! I studied Graphic Design at university but had drawn in a sketch pad my entire life. A chance illustration job in London at The Independent Weekend Magazines (while there as a graphic designer) started my illustration career. I enjoyed it so much I decided to give myself a year at illustration full time, and see how I went. I was 19 at the time, so it’s actually been 16 years now! It was an interesting time when there were only a handful of illustrators around.
RESCU: Was there one client or job that really took your career to the next level?
Kerrie Hess: Yes, one of my first jobs in London was for the Arcadia Fashion Group (that own Topshop) and then Vogue Australia. I was pretty thrilled to be a Vogue Contributor at 19!
RESCU: What do you see as your best work?
Kerrie Hess: I am most fond of the personal pieces that I have done for exhibitions and my limited edition prints. These ones don’t have any client in mind, and that is quite a lovely thing. That said, it was such a thrill for me to see billboards of my work go up around Paris for Printemps Departments Store late last year. As well as exhibit a solo exhibition at Le Meurice Hotel in Paris four months ago. I was pinching myself as it was held in the same space that Dali held his exhibitions while in residence at the hotel.
RESCU: Creatives like yourself often struggle with matching their own vision to their client’s — have you ever had to deal with a client who has tried to change your style? If so, how did you deal with it?
Kerrie Hess: I feel lucky that this rarely happens now. I think my style is so particular that most clients are looking for that if they wish to collaborate. But I did encounter this in the earlier years. I am all for giving the client what they want, but yes, still maintaining a sense of my own style for the job.
RESCU: You’ve lived and worked all over the world — including a stint in Paris. It takes a bit of bravery to make such a move, especially with a 2 year old and a thriving career! Do you have any advice for any readers who dream of making a big move but worry how they’ll make connections and find work?
Kerrie Hess: For me, Paris was amazing and to be honest being able to speak French really helped both in day to day life and with clients. I also made a network over there of creative Australians who all pointed me in the right direction for a million little things, which was wonderful. We would all get together and enjoy the simple pleasure speaking English! I think it was great for my son too. He loves travel now and is very adaptable. Although he is a little food snob from the experience. He quite honestly prefers goats cheese and smoked salmon to a bowl of ice cream!
RESCU: And now you’ve settled in sunny Brisbane! What does a day in the life of Kerrie Hess look like now?
Kerrie Hess: It’s busy. I am up at 6.30 to get my son bundled up and ready for school, then straight to work. (I’ll usually grab a coffee on my way back to the studio.) I wish I had more time for long lunches and breaks during the day, but it’s all very busy on my end. But I do love my office and am in the midst of decorating it! Once Marcel is home I try to switch off for a spell, and find out how his day was and cook. (Sometimes juggling phone calls with clients in Paris as it’s the start of their day at that time and most of my clients are in France.) Sometimes another hour or two of work once my son is in bed. A glass of wine with dinner followed by a bubble bath or a good book, then bed. And then I do it all again.
RESCU: In your 15 years of work, we feel like you’ve hit the nail on the head creatively every single time-no easy feat! Where do you find inspiration for your work?
Kerrie Hess: Oh I rarely feel like that! I am my harshest critique. I don’t like to send work through to a client unless I love it myself. I find inspiration in so many little things. But the streets of Paris will always stay with me, and are often part of my work. As is the style of Grace Kelly. She is absolutely a muse for me, and the reason to release a range of Limited Edition Prints based on her classic style. I am a diehard Hitchcock fan! And I loved going into my own little world working on the collection.
RESCU: What’s the best pieces of business advice you’ve ever received and how did it change the way you work?
Kerrie Hess: I would say that it’s simply ‘be good to work with.’ Sadly I can’t recall where I heard this, but I say it crosses my mind often. After all, a client hires you the first time for your talent, but they re-hire you for both your work and for the experience of working with you the first time. Which is very important if you wish to have a long standing career in any creative job. I also think ‘pick the brands that you work with wisely; because you can’t work for everyone’ is good advice. I have turned down some high paying jobs for very mass market brands or brands that just didn’t fit with my illustration style with no regrets.
RESCU: Finally, it seems like you are taking your career to a place where you’re not only illustrating for other brands, but moving towards creating the Kerrie Hess brand in and of itself (we’re slightly obsessed with your stunning phone covers) – can we expect to see more from you in this direction?
Kerrie Hess: Oh thank you so much! Yes, more and more I enjoy a balance of working for other clients but also for my own prints, and recently phone cases. I jumped at doing this because the local Australian company that I have partnered with The Dairy, custom makes all their high quality cases to order in Australia. I am quite thrilled that since launching they have been ordered in almost every country possible! From Russia to Romania and Paris. It’s amazing to hear that my cases are reaching out so far. Absolutely expect a new collection in the near future.