SHORT STORY

What's in a haircut? Confidence, insecurity, a quest to be trend right, a desire for individualism, all of the above? Exactly two weeks ago I returned home to Toronto for the Easter Holiday and dared to bare...my neck...for the first time...in years. I chopped off 6 inches back in December and decided to keep going, going, going, gone, up, up, up to my chin. And frankly, I haven't looked back (or down literally speaking).

For months now I've been watching, one by one, as my favorite models (Daria Werbowy, Karlie Kloss, Jessica Stam) went for the plunge or should I say chop. I observed with envy as they made the incredibly brave move to cut the security blanket from their heads. I salivated over February's fashion week street style shots; the inimitable Miroslava Duma racing between shows with the chicest of chic bobs. Finally I decided it was my time.

Hair throughout history has persisted as a symbol of femininity from Botticelli's Birth of Venus to Brooke Shields' Blue Lagoon. Cutting it off feels, simply put, liberating. I feel like I own my beauty more by redefining what is associated with being feminine. I can't help but notice how I appeal to different men with long hair than I do with short. I might even argue that the guy who approaches me with tresses to my chin seems to appreciate a little more just how strong willed I am.

In short (no pun intended) cutting ones hair is no laughing matter; because I happen to think there is a lot more in a haircut than meets the eye. Do you agree? Have any of you cut it all off recently? What possessed you to do so? Would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section.

Much love,
Meag xx

Living In Your Truth

Oscar de la Renta FW13

What does it mean to live in your truth? How do you find your truth in order to live it? So many people ask me how I came to find what I love and my only answer is my unwavering quest for the truth.

I don't know why I love fashion illustration as much as I do, I just know that it is the most fulfilling, genuine expression of myself. I know that even if nobody saw it as having any value, if no one cared to look, I would still need to paint these miraculous little glimpses into the world of fashion. Because to me, what I do, is like breathing. I couldn't live without doing it. Or at the very least, I wouldn't be contributing the best of me to the world around me (and frankly that's just as terrifying).

We can spend so much time getting caught up in the woulda/shoulda/coulda. But at the end of the day, if you are living in your truth, if you are following your heart, then you probably are exactly where you need to be right now.

If I have any regret in my life, it is the time I spent wasting second guessing myself. I've known all along what it was that I wanted to do but I worried too much about what others around me were doing too. Ultimately, fortune favors the bold, and I don't just mean monetarily. You have to be willing to take the risk, make the leap of faith, for a chance at the reward. I'm not sure I've even seen the reward of my risk yet but what I do know is that I'm grateful everyday that I'm living honestly with myself - who I want to be, who I'm meant to be.

You're probably wondering what any of this has to do with anything, maybe even specifically the look I painted for this post. Trust me, there is a connection ;) Oscar de la Renta, who happens to be one of my all time favorite designers, really took a risk this past season when he partnered with the dishonored John Galliano for his FW13 collection.

Oscar has a label with a tremendous amount of credibility. Taking Galliano under his wing, after he was very publicly ousted from Dior, could have been very damaging to his brand (fashion can be unforgiving after all). But instead of fearing the risk, he embraced an undeniable talent, and delivered one of the most evolved and breathtaking collections of his career. Living in his truth resulted in a beautifully transcendent expression of design and self.

I'm certainly not advocating taking lofty risks with your life, but more like walking away from what you know for the chance of something greater. Living an unfulfilled life to me seems like a much scarier fate.

Anyway my loves, I would be so interested to hear your thoughts on the topic of living in your truth. What does it mean to you? Wishing you an amazing week ahead.

Much love
Meag xx

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