Style illustration Of Playboi Carti by Shannon Bowles

New wave in collaboration with Ravensbourne University worked on an exciting student program program that brings together the creative minds of talented students to reimagine fashion history. This unique initiative allowed students to dive deep into the evolution of iconic public figures by selecting three distinct eras from their chosen talents' careers. With a focus on understanding the stylistic details that defined these pivotal moments in fashion, the students meticulously researched each era, from the cut and color of clothing to the cultural and social influences that shaped their public image. The students then channeled their findings into original illustrations, each crafted in their own distinctive style. The result is a stunning visual celebration of fashion’s transformative power, as interpreted through the lens of fresh, emerging talent. This collaborative project highlights the intersection of creativity, fashion, and history, offering a modern perspective on the stylistic evolution of the personalities that shaped popular culture.

From a pool of incredibly talented illustrators, four standout students were selected for their exceptional ability to meet the brief with both creativity and precision. Each of these students not only demonstrated thorough research into their chosen talents but also brought their unique artistic voice to the project, delivering refined and distinct illustrations that captured the essence of their subject’s fashion evolution.

Ravensbourne student Shannon Bowles undertook a captivating project to illustrate the fashion journey of rapper Playboi Carti, known for his remarkable and ever-evolving style. Through a detailed exploration of three distinct eras in Carti’s career, Shannon showcased both his research skills and creative interpretation, blending high-end fashion with Carti's unique persona.

"This was his most simple era, where it seems he stuck to following trends. Some higher-end pieces were present, with Supreme being a popular brand during this time.

Although it was simple, this was probably his most popular era and his fanbase even made a name for this look: Cash Carti. This name is very recognisable and people will instantly know the era of his career that it refers to - this is not only within his fanbase but within the rap community as a whole." - Shannon Bowles

For the first era, spanning from 2016 to 2018, Shannon chose the iconic “Cash Carti” look, a representation of Carti’s early streetwear phase. This period was characterized by simple yet cool attire, with streetwear staples like flannel shirts, bomber jackets, and chains defining his aesthetic. Shannon’s illustration captured this early, recognizable style, notably reflecting Carti’s blend of mainstream trends and subtle luxury, such as his Vivienne Westwood top. This piece was deeply researched, as Shannon not only drew inspiration from an album cover but also sought out the full outfit to provide an accurate representation of the era.

"In this era, he dyed his hair blonde and was the first time he had really started experimenting with his look and choosing more ‘out there’ articles of fashion - for example, the fur jacket in the images on the right." - Shannon Bowles

Moving into the 2019-2021 phase, Carti's fashion underwent a transformation with the introduction of high-end brands like Off-White. During this period, Carti’s experimentation with his look became evident, especially with his blonde hair and bolder fashion choices, such as a fur jacket. Shannon selected a look from a 2019 Off-White red carpet appearance, illustrating Carti's shift towards a more polished, high-fashion approach. This era marked a distinct departure from his early streetwear roots, and Shannon’s detailed depiction reflected Carti's growing influence in the fashion world.

"I wanted to illustrate a look that was very recent since he has moved into a much weirder, quirky style where he is making his own trends instead of following what the vast majority are doing." - Shannon Bowles

Reflecting on the process, Shannon describes the project as both challenging and rewarding, as it pushed her to create some of her best work yet. She initially struggled with selecting the right celebrity, considering a few options before deciding that Playboi Carti’s fashion evolution would provide the most dynamic range for her final illustrations. Shannon set out to push herself, aiming to create exciting and engaging character illustrations. She experimented with fun, quirky perspectives, a challenge that required frequent redrawing and adjustments to make the compositions feel natural. Despite the hurdles, Shannon found this process incredibly rewarding, especially as she saw the illustrations come together in the way she had envisioned. This exploration of perspective is something Shannon plans to continue honing in future work, growing more confident in her ability to tackle similar challenges.