House and Garden Splendid Photography by the Michael Mundy

We're excited to see Tino Zervudachi's fab apartment in the current special issue of house and garden splendidly photographed by the Michael Mundy ! To see more Michael's photography visit at https://goo.gl/AOzdBb 

A Weekend in Palm Springs with Michael Mundy

Michael Mundy took a trip down to Palm Springs to visit his friend Michael Smith, a renowned interior designer with clients including the Obamas, and Smith’s partner James Costos, ambassador to Spain. Mundy made it his mission to capture the particular glamour of Palm Springs, a town unique amongluxury destinations for its Hollywood history. Smith’s design for his own home combines elements of old Hollywood and California leisure. The intimate photographs combine the opulence of Smith’s interior design with Mundy’s unique sense of the place.

Palm Springs was once the go-to vacation spot for old Hollywood, and recently the town has cast its spell on a new generation. Enchanted by its vintage look and ethereal sunsets, the New York and Los Angeles elite have adopted it as a getaway to sit poolside, sip drinks, and forget the craziness of city living, if only for the weekend.

Mundy’s work has been featured in such publications as Architectural Digest, House & Garden, Martha Stewart, The New York Times Magazine, Town & Country, and Vogue. His commercial clients include Andre Balazs Properties, the Charmant Hotel, Champalimaud Design, Hola Magazine, Loews Chicago Hotel, the Mondrian Hotel Miami, Morgans Hotel Group, One World Trade Center for the Durst Organization, Restoration Hardware and Roman & Williams. Mundy is known for his interior and exterior spaces, as well as his portraits, a versatile body of work tied together by a characteristic understanding and intimacy with the subject.

To see more of Michael Mundy photography visit at Traffic Creative Management.

Source: https://goo.gl/kk7stF

Cooking up a storm with Lucile Prache

There’s an art to cooking and an even greater art to creating an excellent Cookbook. Lucile Prache’s delectable recipe illustrations make this 4 book series by Marabout a must have. Catherine Quevrement and Lucile spent a year working on this project. We wan’t wait to see many more!.

                
                

Source: https://goo.gl/GqSnps

Introducing Matilde Cretier

We are so excited to introduce Matilde's work to you! We have been huge fans for a long time and finally convinced her that we were the perfect partner for her here in the U.S. Her work is both incredibly simple, and graphic, yet rich with color and imagination.  On the page the images grab you, and keep you engaged. Her work is easy to animate, as well.

Mathilde is based in Paris, and specializes in lifestyle and fashion illustration. Her unique work is based on the simple principals of color blocking, distilling the visual elements down to their minimal components, thus creating images that are extremely graphic and enticing.  Source: https://goo.gl/R2STpn

The flower in you: Mia Maria Overgaard

Welcome to Mia’s secret garden— where everything is beautiful and all things feel innocent. Nature, flowers and fantasy take over, leaving the rest of the world behind. It’s a breath of fresh air to be transported with her lightness of being. The beauty and the simplicity of life are take center stage. Nothing else truly matters, but that which is sweet and heavenly. Can we just stay here for a moment..... 

Mia has managed to capture us with her exquisitely trained hand. Pencil renderings truly come to life. Mia lives in Copenhagen and works consistently with brands like H&M, Wall Street Journal, The Telegraph, Volkswagen Autostadt, Rode Bath, Soft Gallery, Molo Kids, Neiman Marcus, Marie Claire, Air Canada, The Perfect Kiss Records, and more.

Click here for more of Mia's work.

Lifestyle & interior photography: Brittany Ambridge

Brittany Ambridge is new your go to photographer for “real” pictures. Her authentic, sincere, and charming work embodies the original spaces she photographs and those who live within them. Her easy manner brings the charm out of each of her subjects. She has captured memorable moments with contemporary tastemakers like Celerie Kemble, Eva Chen, Christy Turlington, and fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff. Brittany's work has appeared in top interior design publications such as The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Domino, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Beautiful Southern Homes, Traditional Home and Town&Country.

Clickhere for more of Brittney's work.

Source: https://goo.gl/vng8lI

The Collage Movement: Wendy Plovmand

We are excited to be seeing more and more collage in the market. It's such a great way of telling a story in a fresh and exciting way. Here's some great work by Wendy Plovmand who is the master of collage. Let her help tell your brand story...

Wendy’s work has brought a wide spectrum of prestigious brands to life, including Topshop, GUESS, Johnson & Johnson, Womens Wear Daily, NYLON, SHAPE Magazine, The Guardian, and many more.

Click here for more of Wendy's work. Source: https://goo.gl/GuDxFo

Hungry for Creativity: Lucile Prache

One of the great joys in life is good food and eating well. We love everything healthy, but our sweet tooth does need some attention! Our resident foodie and illustration artist Lucille Prache hits the nail on the head with each of her recipe illustrations. We are excited for her success — with everything from calendars, cook books to just plain excellent work. If your project is hungry for some fresh art — dig in and see all the great work she is creating!

Click here See the latest work from Lucile.

Source: https://goo.gl/EIs4Mr

WHAT'S NEXT...

Our worlds are shifting so quickly. So, we're cooking up a storm on what we think is really good. What's worth considering. Observing the difference between average and exceptional. And what can make our overall experience more positively beautiful. Here is some of the latest work from several of our artists that inspires us, and we hope will inspire you, too. 

For more details visit at Traffic Creative Management !

Source: https://goo.gl/qIQcH5

Meet the Beauty Industry's Secret Weapon Ameena Meer/Creative Director & Copywriter

Our awesome Creative Director and Copywriter, Ameena Meer, is our featured artist this month. Her strategic and conceptual work has launched high-impact brands and products with lasting influence. Her strength is expressing emotion that inspires action. As a writer, she knows intuitively that a good story changes minds. Ameena believes the most effective communication is rooted in love for the consumer, respect for the brand and change for the good. She has been a copywriter, thinker, conceptor and/or creative director for Avon, Calvin Klein, Coty, The Gap, Estee Lauder, Donna Karan, Macy’s, Pzifer, L’Oreal, The Navajo Nation, Homes for the Homeless and Proctor & Gamble. Natural brands she has worked on include Jurlique, Under the Canopy, Kama Ayurveda, and 5S for Shiseido.

A conversation between Ameena Meer and Michelle Edelman.

ME: Ameena, we have a long history together. We are so excited to be working with you again. We are also extremely excited to have you as our featured artist this month!

ME: Let’s start at the beginning. Tell a bit about yourself. 

AM: I had a great childhood. I was lucky enough to have grown up in the 70s when we had a lot of freedom — no cell phones, no social media — and I spent a lot of time riding horses off in the fields, reading voraciously and discovering new cities with friends with no one watching my every move. Though my parents are from India, my grandparents and eventually, my parents, were diplomats so we had a very international, multicultural, multi-religious household. While I was raised as a Muslim, my father was a scientist (thus a rationalist) and my mother was always asking questions and exposing us to other faiths and people. I have family members across the racial, political and religious spectrum. I feel like I was always part of world where everyone had different perspectives but we all loved and respect each other so it was a very open place.

ME: What inspired you to become a writer?

AM: When I was 6, I was voted most likely to become the school librarian because I had read every book in our little school library! As soon as I could write, I did. I was obsessed with the idea of turning material experiences — taste, touch, scent, sounds — into words that could leap off the page and drag you into the story. My mother always encouraged a lot of reading so writing always came very easily to me.

ME: Who is your greatest influence?

AM: That is always changing — at the moment, my thinking is influenced by social activists like Malcolm X or Bernie Sanders or the Dalai Lama — but I also adored Wayne Dyer, I listened to his books on CD (back in the day) sometimes over and over again. I love Marianne Williamson and I re-read A Course in Miracles constantly. But as a writer, I love dense sensual writing that sucks you in — whether it’s poetry or fiction. I used to say that if — like a Blues musician — I went down to the crossroads at midnight and typed in my best riff and then handed my laptop back over my shoulder, the Devil would give me the power to write like Michael Ondatjee or Rumi or Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It’s writing so lyrical and moving, it’s like listening to music.

Source: https://goo.gl/C1qOcc

Maren Esdar digital illustration on the latest Avenue Magazine

Check out the latest Avenue Magazine with Amal Clonney on the cover! Maren Esdar, one of the talented Traffic Illustrators, did the cover illustration. Her work is a mix of collage and digital illustration. To see more visit http://www.traffic-nyc.com/portfolio/maren-esdar/

Imperfectly Perfect: Rebecca Moses

Today’s fashion and beauty retail market is no place for perfect dummies. Renowned mannequin maker Ralph Pucci teamed up with Rebecca Moses to create “Mes Demoiselles: Imperfectly Perfect.” Unlike the haughty or expressionless figures in most shops, this unique series celebrates the imperfection that makes a woman captivating.

The 25 distinctive Mes Demoiselles reflect the spectrum of multicultural individualists who are redefining the standards of beauty. These bright, eccentric mannequins speak to the new generation of consumers who are drawn to authenticity and originality.

Moses adds, “Art, fashion and retail need to reflect our changing world and society. People are blending. Stereotypes are breaking. A consumer should recognize herself in Mes Demoiselles’ multi-ethnic, multicultural, imperfect yet spectacular personas.”

The Mes Demoiselles were on display at Ralph Pucci, 44 W 18th St, dressed in custom clothing made from the first Ralph Pucci fabric collection, surrounded by murals and paintings by Moses. Styling by Freddie Leiba. Inquire through Ralph Pucci for sales, including paintings and works on paper that are exhibited simultaeously. All other art sales contact Michelleve@traffic-nyc.com

The exhibition was featured in Vogue Italia and Womens’ Wear Daily.

To see more Rebecca Moses illustration visit at Traffic NYC !

Source: https://goo.gl/LajwEI

Beauty Blossom: Wendy Plovmand

If the earth laughs in flowers, Wendy Plovmand’s flowers spread the joy across the page. Her lush watercolors capture the scent and psyche of her subjects. The elegant compositions intertwine color, ink and graphite resulting in flowery explosions and timelessly captivating images.

Plovmand’s work has brought a wide spectrum of prestigious brands to life, including Topshop, GUESS, Johnson & Johnson, Womens Wear Daily, NYLON, SHAPE Magazine, The Guardian, and many more.

To watch more of Wendy’s work visit at Traffic artist.

Source: https://goo.gl/glp3O0

Manifesting beauty: Maren Esdar

Maren Esdar’s magical vision leads us to a surreal, dream-like dimension. Her creations combine photography, collage and digital rendering into frothy, inviting confections. Esdar’s work captivates and inspires the beauty and fashion world with narratives that reference nature, philosophy and literature with prettiness and a smile.  Even her most apocalyptic fashion illustration reconstruct the universe into a glamorous, effervescent place. Esdar’s work had graced the pages of the world’s top fashion and style magazines and brands including, Vogue, New York Times Magazine, Neiman Marcus, Surface and Esquire.

To see more Maren’s magical work visit at Traffic NYC.

Source: https://goo.gl/5uiomk

Beauty Bubbles…… Cecilia Lundgren

It starts with love, as do all things made in Italy. A love of beauty, artistry and local quality. The scents are a curated assortment inspired by journeys through marketplaces redolent with fresh flavors, fragrances and the bustle of life. The soap formulas are made of skin-loving ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, Italian olive oil and coconut oil.

Artist Cecilia Lundgren and Via Mercato came together to create a perfect marriage of art and soap. Cecilia’s loose ink and watercolor work has made each cake an evocative gift – whether it’s for yourself or someone you adore.

Via: VEEYA Traveling through (a place) en route to a destination.

Mercato: mer-KA-toe Italian word for Market.

To Order Visit: Uncommon Scents, Amazon, Trapp And Company

For Wholesale Inquiries: European Soaps Wholesale

For more Cecilia Lundgren work visit at Traffic Creative Management.

Source: https://goo.gl/8FmkKJ

Beauty in the Moment: Jasoon Brooks

Jason Brooks is one of our resident beauty powerhouses, working consistently with the most iconic brands like Jo Malone, Chanel, and Revlon.

Lancome asked Jason to create portraits of the brightest young women on Youtube and Instagram – insta-stars like Taylor Hill and Lisa Eldridge – to celebrate their new L’Absolu Rouge lipstick collection. The portraits are trending on social media as we speak. 

To see more Jason’s work visit at http://www.traffic-nyc.com/portfolio/jason-brooks-hand-rendered/

Source: https://goo.gl/KaqyEu

Beauty in balance: Izak Zenou illustration

Izak Zenou’s illustrations have become the gold standard for fashion and beauty brands worldwide. We asked him what he sees as the next beauty trends for 2017.

IZAK: Beauty today has to transcend the cosmetic aspect and deliver beauty in its purest expression. I believe women want to look healthy, they want to feel good and be good to themselves. They want to use healthy products to enhance their well-being. They should also be celebrating their differences and individuality. Someone with strong eyebrows should accentuate them. If you have big eyes, we want to emphasize them even more. Having character is very modern.

WHERE DO BEAUTY AND FASHION MEET?

IZAK: Fashion and beauty should be in perfect balance. If you have a strong style, you go with a more natural beauty. If you have a simple style, you go with a more forceful look.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCTS?

IZAK: I’m low-maintenance. I use Biotherm for men. For fragrance, I like Un jardin sur le Nile by Hermes.

IS THERE AN OVERLAP BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN’S GROOMING?

IZAK: There is definitely a more androgynous aspect today, which leads to an overlap in men’s and women’s styles. Next step, make-up? Not sure. But men take care of themselves much more. I can see in the future guys using more women-oriented products.

Click here See the lastest work from IZAK.

Source: https://goo.gl/tcfDHk

Thoughts for the New Year

We need light in the darkness. Beauty shines. It’s the radiance of kindness and heart. Beauty is hope, your best face forward. Prettiness is a happy distraction. Superficial is crucial. This year more than ever, we want sparkles. We want glitter, kisses and compassion. We want flower petals, honesty and gratitude. We want words that touch us and crack open our fears. The best gifts are glorious good health, ease and glowing vitality. Beauty is the smile that becomes the embrace. This year, we want connection. We want love. Love. LOVE. And serious magic.

                   
                                      
Illustration by Alicia Malesani represebted by Traffic NYC.

Clickhere for more of Alicia’s Work.

Source: https://goo.gl/xTbeiL