PHOTOGRAPHS CALATRAVA

Much of the last few years has been focused on capturing an inside view of exceptional artists, designers, and architects. These are individuals that Michael relates to and enjoys shooting the most. They don’t have to be famous for him to find them intriguing.

The images below show the comfort and confidence, as well as the personal aesthetics of Santiago Calatrava, one of the most celebrated architects of our time. These were taken during the planning stages of Calatrava’s masterwork, the new Transit Hub at the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. Ironically, fast forward a few years and Michael would be commissioned by the Durst Organization to photograph, in-depth, One World Trade Center, its unique art installation and the building’s surroundings, which includes Calatrava’s architectural wonder.




Michael travels to all corners of the country photographing interior designers and architects in their spaces, as well as their clients’ residential, hospitality and architectural projects created. He is a consistent collaborator with top interior design magazines and they often publish projects he shares with them, as well.





Michael and worked with Architectural Digest, NYC&G, Elle Decor, House & Garden, Galerie Magazine, Town&Country, Travel and Leisure, Whitewall, Wallpaper, DVEight, New York Times Magazine, W Magazine, and more.

LIFE ISN’T ALWAYS BLACK AND WHITE…

… but sometimes it can sure feel like it. As we head into the second month of 2018, it’s becoming clear that we’re headed for another year of stark contrasts between right and wrong, progress and decay, acceptance and intolerance. We need to remind ourselves daily that there is so much good in the world and if we focus on that, it will grow and multiply. We also have the opportunity to stand up for what we believe in and find meaning and community. When we experience injustice it gives the chance to fight it and make real changes—just look at all the progress made this year with the #metoo #timesup #blacklivesmatter #takeaknee and #lovewins movements.

Being the eternal optimists that we are, we see this a time of opportunity. Sometimes stark contrasts create the most beautiful pictures, as our artists will show below with gorgeous black and white images that convey both the vibrancy and vitality of the moment.

In these transitional times, we’re a resource to be relied upon, and we’d like to share with you a few of our values:

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SIMPLICITY

Keep it simple. Have it all. Welcoming Dimitri to the Traffic family as a copywriter and creative director, we’ve found common ground over this shared love of simplicity and our drive to eliminate clutter until only what’s truly important remains.

Dimitri Ehrlich has written everything from two #1 hit singles in Japan to ads for Apple, Nike, L’Oreal and others, to journalism for the New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Interview Magazine, where he worked for years as an editor. While the range of his talent is clearly broad, it is unified by a stark, simple sensibility fine-tuned to create an aesthetic that is uniquely Dimitri.


Dimitri has written television, interactive and print advertising for Apple, Nike, Citibank, Grey Goose, Tommy Hilfiger, L’Oreal, Joseph Abboud, Dockers, The Gap, Timex, Smirnoff, Banana Republic, The Sci-Fi Channel, USA Networks, Old Navy, Victoria’s Secret, Theory, Weight Watchers, Tanqueray, CNN, Rose’s Lime Juice, David Yurman, BCBG, The New York Times, The Sundance Channel, and MTV. He’s the father of the Daddy Diaries.

His well-rounded world vision comes from being a lifelong student of Buddhism and martial arts, being raised by a loving mother on macrobiotic food, and his adventuresome nature leading him across Vietnam, Cuba, Cambodia, India, Nepal, China and Tibet. He has jammed with Moby, Prince and the Beastie Boys, and gotten drunk with Keith Richards, but values becoming a father the most. We love that!

www.dimitriehrlich.com

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AUTHENTIC
RELATIONSHIPS

After over twenty years of partnership, famous illustrator Izak Zenou and iconic 5th Avenue brand, Henri Bendel, have teamed up once again. This time, they’re releasing a fun and fresh collection where street style prints collide with classic Bendel silhouettes. Just launched this month, the collection features Izak’s interpretation of New York City Punk.

“Henri Bendel is like family, we’ve been together for a long time (we just celebrated 20 years) and we keep evolving and changing together. I realize this is a priceless relationship, as most collaborations last a season or a year. We love each other more as each year goes by. And that’s family!”— Izak

To see more visit Henri Bendel stores and also go online at www.henribendel.com. Izak’s pop-up art studio at the 5th Avenue location has been extended to the end of February. Go visit! Have a cup of tea and chat a bit.

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LIFE AS ART

Photographer, Michael Mundy, has made a craft of photographing artists and creatives in their studios and spaces, most famously in his project An Afternoon With… He went to art heaven and back photographing Brooklyn-based artist Lorna Simpson in her famously designed studio by architect Sir David Adjaye and shot for Galerie Magazine. With his unique gift for turning a simple interior shot into an intimate portrait of whomever the room belongs to, Michael has captured both the dignity and the deeply-felt pain that characterizes Lorna’s work, much of which is centered around race and gender in America. Michael’s understated style allowed the beauty of Lorna’s art and David’s design to shine through when focused under his deeply empathetic, personal lens.


Antwaun Sargent of Galerie writes, “Simpson works in a variety of mediums, but she is best known for her photography-based conceptual pieces that use images of African-American women to deconstruct issues around race, gender, and identity—often with an undeniable lyricism. An influential figure in the art world for more than a quarter-century, she was the first African-American woman to show at the Venice Biennale, in 1990, and she was given an acclaimed solo exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art the same year.” Simpson’s most recent exhibition, Lorna Simpson: Hypothetical? was shown at the Fischer Landau Center for Art in Queens this past Summer.

Michael Mundy has worked for top-tier magazines including Travel & Leisure, Vogue, W, Town & Country, and Wallpaper. His commercial clients include Baker, Calvin Klein, J. Crew, Frette, Grey Goose, Halston, Herve Leger, Kohler, Morgans Hotel Group, Andre Balazs, 1 World Trade Center, and The Durst Organization. He is the author of the blog “An Afternoon with…” and the founder of DV8 Magazine.

Read the full article on Galerie and more from Michael Mundy.

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CHARACTER

We uphold everyone to have strong character. It is the cornerstone of individuality and the basis of our values. Without each and every one of our unique perspectives, quirks, and talents, we would not forge the vibrant communities that make our world so special.

Character is also valued in the letterform, which interestingly enough is a character. Whether a serif, or san serif, a light, medium or bold or even hand-rendered, which many of our illustrators are skilled, the distinction is important. Strength and character can steal the spotlight from any room and the right choice of font can make a project truly unforgettable. Here are a few examples of lettering from our artists that, rather than opting for the cookie-cutter look, display real character.

Click here to see more striking lettering from our artists.

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HUMAN CONNECTION

Digital illustration can be gorgeous, but when you see our illustrator Jason Brooks’ hand-rendered fashion and lifestyle illustrations, you’ll almost certainly be reminded just how vital the human touch can be, both in art and life. Jason’s hand-drawn illustrations are rich in value, laced with intricate complexities and breathes of life with each line and stroke. A deep sense of connection is immediately felt.

In a time where it seems that crassness is rewarded and restraint is dismissed, we need to conduct ourselves with grace and class more than ever. Jason Brooks’ simple yet stylish illustrations show us just how much of an impact elegance, dignity and beauty can have in this world.

Jason’s simple, elegant style has allowed for collaborations with top brands across the globe including Jo Malone, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Guerlain, L’Oreal, Ritz Hotels, Verve Clicquot, Coca-Cola, Audi, Mont Blanc and Mercedes-Benz. For more work by Jason, click here.

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LAUGHTER

We can’t forget to see the light. Laughter heals the heart like nothing else, and nobody knows this better than our favorite cartoon illustrator Mokshini, whose quick, bright, lively images can put a smile on any face.

Mokshini has collaborated with brands such as Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, J Crew, and Turner Classic Movies as an illustrator and textile designer. Her illustrations have appeared in Harpers Bazaar, V Magazine, Huffington Post, Fashion Unfiltered and Afropunk. She works regularly as a live illustrator for Prabal Gurung and Alice and Olivia during New York Fashion Week.

Click here to see the latest from Mokshini.

We hope we’ve added a little brightness to your day!
-Traffic NYC

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A hybrid Agency like none other, Traffic is like a multi-armed juggernaut— not just talent representation, but also a branding agency with creative directors and copywriters, strategists and producers, and a rich resource for digital content development. We want to re-define the meaning of creative “hub” or incubator. The only limit is the limit of our imagination, which proves to be in themselves limitless.

For all inquiries please contact info@traffic-nyc.com.

Bold Stroke at Henri Bendel: An Artist-in-Residence by ELLA ALEXANDER Photographed by BOWEN FERNIE

Izak Zenou greeted a visitor to his studio with the torn-up remnants of a watercolor portrait he’d done of a style blogger the night before. As he waved the scraps, a mischievous smile spread across his face. “Izak!” said his agent, Michelle Edelman, “You’ve ruined it!”

“It was terrible,” he replied, triumphantly. “People were taking pictures, saying it was nice and everything, but I know when my work is good and this was not good at all.” The blogger, Christine Bibbo Herr of NYC Pretty, would come back later to collect the portrait, and Izak would have to explain the situation. His artistic integrity was at stake. He couldn’t put work out into the world that he wasn’t proud of. Izak has easy, intimate manners and a magnetic natural optimism, but along with this comes all the volatility of an artistic temperament, and very strong opinions about his own art.

For this month only, Izak’s studio is in Henri Bendel’s 5th Avenue flagship store. An illustrator, Izak’s been creating art for Henri Bendel for over 20 years. If you’ve ever been inside a Bendel store, you’ve seen his work, even if you’re not familiar with his name. This month, the artist and the brand are stepping their relationship up a level. Izak has moved his into a glass-walled room on the second floor of the iconic New York accessories store, where he’ll work daily in full view of Bendel shoppers until December 22nd.

The studio itself looks more like a stylish uptown loft than a workspace. A drafting table stands against the natural light–this is where Izak works–but the porcelain-potted ferns, Grecian busts, velvet furniture, and artfully scattered art books that fill the rest of the space speak more to fashion than function. At the event’s launch party the night before, romantically lit and staffed with caterers holding platters of macarons and champagne flutes, it looked like a set from Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Even as the first guests arrived at the party, Izak was at his table, working on his portrait of Christine, who couldn’t stay for the party. He painted rapidly with a bamboo reed dipped in India ink, only glancing up occasionally at the blogger yet using lines so confident that it seemed he must have been tracing some imperceptibly faint under-drawing–he was not. The guests began to trickle in. Izak spotted a friend in his peripheral vision and his uncanny concentration broke. He set down his pen and greeted her warmly in French.

Like Izak’s illustrations, the party had a bubbly, carefree atmosphere, and was attended by such fashion luminaries as Catherine Malandrino, RJ Graziano, Fern Mallis, and Michelle Stein. From the refreshments–champagne and quarter-sized cookies–to the color palette to the conversation, everything about the night felt light. The pinnacle of lightness was the artist himself, laughing and chatting with friends in a fluid mixture of English and French. A photographer commented later that she had trouble finding a good photo of him at the party, because he was so constantly in motion.

The next day, all evidence of the lively party had been wiped away by fastidious Bendel staff and the atmosphere in the studio more closely resembled an 18th century Parisian salon. People drifted in and out: Edelman and Bendel staff and a pair of friendly southerners who had a long series of questions about the artistic process, and the discourse often took a philosophical turn. Izak ran off on tangents about art in the age of social media, or the excitement of his early career, but when asked what inspired him, he replied with just one word, “Beauty.”

He and Michelle argued over a piece he’d done for Bendel earlier that year of a girl leaning over a flamingo. She loved it; he hated it. “If it was up to me, I’d have done an ostrich. An ostrich looks like a girl–long legs, big eyelashes–it has attitude. A flamingo has no attitude. It’s just pink.”

Izak is restless with the commercial restrictions of his field, and determined to push the boundaries. “In 2018,” he said, “I’m making things bold. Bold lines, bold colors, no more cute.”

Shortly afterwards, a couple–a magazine editor and a designer–stopped by, and Izak offered to draw them. Discussing politics and old acquaintances with Michelle, the designer sat with perfect posture on a stool while the editor melted into an armchair beside her, and Izak drew silently. While the process looked much the same as it had when he painted Christine, the artist’s reaction to his final product could not have been more different.

“This is good!” he announceds, face lit up with pride. “This is what I can do when I’m in the right mindset.” The photographer took a picture of Izak standing with the couple, holding the drawing, then Izak took his own picture of it to post on Instagram.

While his portrait of Christine had, contrary to the artist’s own opinion, actually been quite pretty, the difference between that painting and his new drawing was undeniable. He’d captured not just the look of the couple, but something of their essence, the way they existed in physical space. And, of course, it was timelessly stylish. Any doubts about the artistic merits of fashion illustration had vanished in the 30 minutes it took Izak to finish the double portrait.

Izak will be at work in the Bendel flagship store on 712 5th Avenue until December 22nd, with a special event celebrating Catherine Malandrino’s new book Une Femme Française on December 12th and two live drawing events on the 6th and the 15th. For a fee, you can even commission a portrait.  The studio doors are always open–metaphorically, at least. Izak doesn’t like the store’s top 40 playlist so he soundproofs his workspace as much as possible.

Join illustrator, Izak Zenou and Henri Bendel for cocktails and conversation with designer and author, Catherine Malandrino for the release of her new book, Une Femme Francaise.

Tuesday, December 12th 6-8pm.

Henri Bendel 712 5th Avenue @ 56th Street Second Floor Mezzanine

See You There!

This holiday we are having our first ever giveaway featuring illustrator Mathilde Cretier!

Mathilde is the darling of the Paris set and is the latest addition to our talented roster of artists. She specializes in fashion and lifestyle illustration with unique work, based on the simple principles of color blocking and paper cutouts. Distilling the visual elements down to their minimal components, she creates lasting images that are extremely graphic and enticing. The interloping shapes are elegantly executed visual puns that create a visual rhyme.

INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY

(2) Two Unframed Limited Edition Prints::
“Red Flounce”
“Ode To Woman”

(2) Two winners will be chosen. Each winner will receive (1) one limited edition 11×14 giclee print from the selection above.

Rules:

1. Follow @traffic_nyc and @mathildecretier on Instagram .
2. Repost either “Red Flounce” or “Ode to Woman” and tag @traffic_nyc.
3. Use the Hashtag #trafficartist on your post.

The contest will close December 1st at 12 pm EST. Winners will be chosen at random and notified via direct message on Instagram and announced in the comment section below.

Good luck!

Disclaimer: This giveaway is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc.

Michael Mundy had the pleasure of photographing renowned interior designer, Tino Zervudachi in his New York City pied-à-terre for the Fall/Winter 2017 issue of House & Garden (published by Meredith Publications). As head of London and Paris based, Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi, Tino has an acute eye for elegance and Michael was able to capture every detail.

“As opposed to paint, Japanese paper squares give the living room walls structure and gravitas,” Tino Zervudachi says. The restful autumnal color repeats in the upholstery and contrasts with a family of graphic pillows designed by Rifat Ozbek with Turkish textiles.”— Linda O’Keefe, House & Garden

Tino is particular in his unique sense of design and the choices he makes reflect that. As shown through Michael Mundy’s photography, the space is warm and inviting and shows Tino’s unrivaled design standard. Tino states, “Each piece I own is original. It’s the fruit of human endeavor and creativity.”

Be sure to pick up this issue on newsstands before the end of the year.

Michael Mundy has worked for top-tier magazines including Travel & Leisure, Vogue, W, Town & Country, and Wallpaper. His commercial clients also include Baker, Calvin Klein, J. Crew, Frette, Grey Goose, Halston, Herve Leger, Kohler, Morgans Hotel Group, Andre Balazs, 1 World Trade Center, and The Durst Organization. He is the author of the blog “An Afternoon with…” and the founder of DV8 Magazine.

Find more of Michael’s work here.

Please contact Michelle Edelman for inquiries and job bookings.
Email: michelleve@traffic-nyc.com
Tel: +1 212 734 0041

Edelman Arts: The Infamous Rose Hartman

A series of limited edition photographs by Rose Hartman will be on view at our shared space 111 East 70th Street in New York from November 20th through December 20th, 2017.

A native New Yorker, Rose Hartman began her career working for the SoHo Weekly News where her first assignment was covering the 1976 wedding of Papa’s granddaughter Joan Hemingway to restaurateur Jean De Noyer. Since the late 1970’s, she has been documenting cultural icons at exhibition openings, soirees, clubs, and on city streets. Intimate shots of Mapplethorpe muse David Croland and Margaux Hemingway entering the iconic Studio 54, Fred Hughes and Elsa Paretti at the Marlborough Gallery, and Bianca Jagger astride a white horse on her 30th birthday populate the artist’s extensive oeuvre and are featured among the twenty one limited edition photographs on view at Edelman Arts through December.



Retracing her footsteps through ateliers, fashion shows, and some of the most legendary settings of New York nightlife across four decades, The Infamous Rose Hartman celebrates the spirit that marks her distinctive aesthetic through some of her most career-defining images. These iconic works have been paired alongside lesser-known and more intimate scenes from her travels around the world, offering a rare glimpse beyond the city into the far corners of Rose Hartman’s pervasive oeuvre. Together, these parallel narratives of life at home and abroad tell the most complete story of the artist’s career.

Always one step ahead, Rose was one of the early photographers to steal glimpses of the real excitement behind-the-scenes, capturing the creative personalities who transformed New York into the most fascinating city in the world. Her talent for capturing the essence of a person or place is evident also in her saturated imagery of Europe and the far East.

Rose Hartman’s work has appeared in The New York Times, London Sunday Times, Vanity Fair, Vogue (US, French, Dutch, and Italian), New York Magazine, Marie Claire, Alllure, Elle Magazine, BBC.com, Grazia, Le Journal de la Photographique, Colette, The Daily Beast, W, and Rolling Stone amongst other numerous international publications.

Jason Brooks and New York City

Get into the New York state of mind with Jason Brooks’ “New York Sketchbook,” just released by Laurence King Publishers. The book is the latest addition to his award-winning series following on the heels of Paris Sketchbook and London Sketchbook.



“Many travelers have documented the excitement of New York City, but perhaps none so beautifully as acclaimed fashion illustrator Jason Brooks. Jason brings to life the city that never sleeps through his incredible drawings from day through to night. Against a backdrop of iconic landmarks such as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, he celebrates the most vibrant city on earth and depicts the day-to-day lives of native New Yorkers from diner to doorstep. With a mix of paper stocks and a gorgeous binding, this sumptuous gift book will bring the city alive.”





Jason explores this great city with over 200 illustrations that evoke authentic scenes, including the latest trendy spots. It’s not Xmas yet, but this could be a good one for this year!





New York Sketchbook is available for purchase Click here

TRAVEL THE WORLD, LIVE LIKE A LOCAL
By Ella Alexander

Summer is finally here! Take advantage of the blue skies and sunny days to break out of your routine and see the world. Return to your favorite vacation spot or venture out somewhere new, but wherever you go, make sure to travel in style. To give you some inspiration, we’ve curated a group of our illustrators and photographers from around the world to render places they know intimately with the special touch and experienced eye of a local.

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THE SOUTH OF FRANCE WITH IZAK ZENOU
@izakzenou_illustrationist

Although Izak Zenou now lives in New York, the top fashion illustrator and international trendsetter has not lost the effortless style of his native France. Using broad sweeps of color and pattern, Izak refuses to stay within the lines.



His beach scenes transport us to the South of France, where the elegance of the French aesthetic meets the carefree vibrancy of the seaside. Mingle with the best and brightest along the Riviera in Saint Tropez and Cannes, or relax in the sunshine in cozy beach towns like Biarritz, where the French themselves vacation.



Izak Zenou’s work has appeared extensively in top international publications. His coveted clients include Chanel, Celine, Hanro of Switzerland, L’Oreal, Lancôme, Revlon, Guerlain and Bucherer. He has collaborated for twenty years with Henri Bendel, creating and recreating his iconic and perennially fashionable “Bendels Girl,” as shown above in her newest form.

Click here to see the latest from Izak.

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A WEEKEND IN PALM SPRINGS WITH MICHAEL MUNDY
@themichaelmundy

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.

Click here for more of Michael Mundy’s work.

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NEW ZEALAND WITH MOKSHINI
@mokshini

Fashion and Lifestyle Illustrator Nadeesha Godamunne, known professionally as Mokshini, was born in Sri Lanka but raised in New Zealand, immersed in a natural beauty that helped shape her identity as an artist. When asked her about her childhood, she told us, “It now seems magical. Nature was abundant; I remember hiking and canoeing on camping trips as a teenager.” While she is known for her work in fashion, these ink and watercolor paintings of her childhood home reveal another side of Mokshini, infused with deep love and a touch of nostalgia, along with all the wit and fluidity of her editorial illustrations.



Mokshini has collaborated with brands such as Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren as an illustrator and textile designer. Her illustrations have appeared in V Magazine, Huffington Post, Fashion Unfiltered and Afropunk. She works regularly as a live illustrator for Prabal Gurung, Alice and Olivia, Brother Vellies and Tadashi Shoji during New York Fashion Week. She is known as much for her clever and observant renderings of people as she is for her work’s graceful yet energetic style.

Click here to see the latest from Mokshini.

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AROUND THE WORLD WITH PENELOPE ROLLAND
@peneloperolland

Penelope Rolland grew up hopping from country to country, and as a result she creates scenes from around the world with the casual ease of a local. Her bright, breezy, and deceptively simple illustrations make anywhere feel like home.

Whether she wanders the vast halls of the Taj Mahal, weaves through the palm trees and horseshoe arches of Morocco, or simply visits the most famous architectural achievement of Paris, the city she now calls home, Penelope Rolland takes us with her. Her illustrations suggest more than they reveal, allowing the viewer to fill in the blanks. In this playful restraint lies the magic of Penelope’s work.

Penelope Rolland’s illustrations and textile prints have been used by Aerie, Ann Taylor, Le Bon Marche, Lancôme, Monoprix, Neiman Marcus, Nivea, Papyrus, and Victoria’s Secret. Her work has appeared in major publications such as Vogue, Vogue Italia, D-Magazine, Oprah Magazine and InStyle.

Click here for to see more of Penelope Rolland’s work.

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We hope we’ve ignited some wanderlust in you, but whether you’re booking a plane ticket now or prefer to view the world from your computer, you can’t help but admire the beauty and variety of these works from around the globe.
See more at our website, and enjoy the rest of your summer!

Traffic Creative Management

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!.


Lucile’s other cookbooks include Les Petites Toques Lenôtre (Le Cherche-Midi éditeur), Le Monde en 500 recettes (Edition La Martinière), Shabbat en 30 minutes (Edition Le Chêne), À table avec Luana (Le Cherche-Midi éditeur), Ein Italianischer Sommer ( GU Germany)

If you’re hungry for more information contact us at info@traffic-nyc.com
To see more work: Recipe Illustrations Lifestyle Illustrations

Illustration by Penelope Rolland ©2017

Happy Valentine’s Day! We’re celebrating Love—Self Love. For if you cannot love yourself, how can you love anyone else! Self-love encourages our physical, psychological, and spiritual growth and fulfillment. We asked around our office to find out what self love means to a few members of our team…

Michelle Edelman
@michelle_edelman

This is my favorite day of the year! Everybody needs love. And, there is never too much love. Bring it on!
I think it’s so important to share love everday! A warm smile. A compliment. An acknowledgement of something well done. And, Self-Love—yesssss indeed!

The pressure we live in feels unbearable sometimes— between personal struggles, our countries politics, misunderstandings, work pressure, traffic jams and subway delays, and the usual madness we are submerged with daily. We have to stop festering on the negative all the time. It only feeds on itself and expands the negativity. Love is the only answer! And, we need to love ourselves! Meditate, clear our electric heads, do YOGA , Pilates, build some muscle, feel beautiful- regenerate.  I’m opting out of Tequila (today) and choosing a green apple ginger juice! My favorite music these days is OMMMMM…..

Shereka Evans
@xaymacabird
Self love to me means self-preservation. I need to be my whole self before I can give away parts of me to others. One of my favorite quotes is by the poet Warsan Shire:

My alone feels so good,
I’ll only have you,
If you’re sweeter
than my solitude …

It is important for me to nurture confidence and joy within myself without always depending on others. Coming from a very big family I learned early that I needed to carve out time for me. Over the years I’ve become more and more comfortable with spending time alone. I have a list of things I love to do on my own, these things big or small, energize me and light me up from the inside out.

Here are some of the things I love to do alone—

• Write in my journal
• Go to a matinee
• Cook a luxurious dinner (candlelight, jazz music, and wine included)
• Walk around the city and discover hidden treasures
• Read, Read, Read …I like to find a nook and get fully absorbed in a great book.
• Go to a spa and sitting in the steam room or sauna. Just breathe.
• Wake up very early on a Saturday morning and listen to the quiet. It’s essential to just be still sometimes. I lay there alone. No tv, no phone, nothing but the sound of silence amidst the occasional chirping from the birds and watching the sun rays slowly rise as my bedroom walls.

If any of that doesn’t work … there’s always Gin and Tonic. #ginmakesyousin

Jacob Allen Berry
@jacoballenberry

It is so important to love yourself. Especially now, Take the time to practice self-care and do all things you need and want to do for yourself! Growing up My mom would always tell me that I am responsible for my own happiness — and I have taken this to heart, especially as of late!

My favorite escape—Music! and and the occasional reality television show. (No judging!) This Valentine’s day I plan to wipe the dust off my record player and spin Solange’s A Seat At Table and some Beach House all day and sit back and catch up on all of my favorite shows on Bravo.

I’ve recently started gardening indoors.
I love shopping for design magazines and art books
I love catching up with my mom – She has recently moved out of the country, I would call her every day if I could!
And, I love listening to a podcast – This American Life and This Week Had Me Like are great ones!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Our favorite client, uber astrologer Susan Miller, on KTLA News talking about the exciting year ahead. This is our second year running working closely with Susan on her beautiful yearly calendar. The artist for 2017 is Rebecca Moses.

http://ktla.com/2017/02/08/astrologist-susan-millers-2017-forecast/

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.
 
This season, everyone needs as much love and beauty that we can share. Scroll to the bottom for our edited list of charities for holiday gift giving. — Ameena Meer

Illustration by Alicia Malesani
Click here for more of Alicia’s Work.

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BEAUTY IN BALANCE

IZAK ZENOU

@izakzenouillustrationist

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.

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BEAUTY IN THE MOMENT

JASON BROOKS

@jasonbrooksart

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. #LANCOME #

Click here for more of Jason’s work.

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BEAUTY BUBBLES…

CECILIA LUNDGREN

@cecilialundgrencom

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

Click here for more of Cecilia’s work.

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MANIFESTING BEAUTY

MAREN ESDAR

@maren_esdar_illustration

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 illustrations 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.

Click here for more of Maren’s magical work.

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BEAUTY BLOSSOM

WENDY PLOVMAND

@wendyplovmandstudio

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.
Click here for more of Wendy’s work.

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IMPERFECTLY PERFECT

REBECCA MOSES

@rebeccamosesofficial

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.
Click here for more of Rebecca’s work.

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GIVING IS LOVING

THESE GUYS NEED YOUR HELP!

With the incoming administration its likely that many organizations will suffer as well as the people they support.  Continuous donations throughout the year is both generous and essential.

Planned Parenthood heath centers and patients will face unprecedented dangers in the coming months. Planned parenthood provides up to dat, clear, medically accurate information that helps you better understand your sexual health. DONATE

The Waterkeeper Alliance strengthens and grows a global network of grassroots leaders protecting everyone’s right to clean water. The Waterkeeper Alliance is the largest and fastest growing nonprofit solely focused on clean water. We preserve and protect water by connect local Waterkeeper organizations worldwide. DONATE

Save The Bees Millions of bees are dying off with alarming consequences for our environment and our food supply. We rely on bees to pollinate everything from almonds to strawberries to the hay used to feed dairy cows. What happens if they disappear? Its simple: No bees, no food. DONATE

Covenant House For homeless youth everyday is a challenge! Help vulnerable kids, rescue a child in need, save a homeless kid, and make a big difference. DONATE

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TOP BEAUTY WRITER @ TRAFFIC

AMEENA MEER

@Brandwallah @FearlessHealing

Creative Director and copywriter Ameena Meer loves to create advertising that loves the world back. As a writer, Meer knows intuitively that a good story changes minds. From the beginning, her strategic and conceptual work has launched high-impact brands and products with lasting influence. A mother of re-invention, Meer’s been a copywriter, thinker, conceptor and/or creative director for Avon, Calvin Klein, Coty, The Gap, Estee Lauder, Donna Karan, Federated Stores, Pzifer, L’Oreal, The Navajo Nation, Homes for the Homeless, Proctor & Gamble and others.

Click here for more of Ameena’s work.

PLEASE INQUIRE ABOUT ALL OUR COPYWRITERS AND BRANDERS.

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For all inquiries please contact info@traffic-nyc.com.