As the final chapter closes on She Said Destroy with the release of issue five on October 3rd, The Sartorial Geek sat down with artist Liana Kangas to pick her brain and discover what lead to the fashion-forward world she created.
Did you do the original character design? What changed from then to the final panel?
I did all of the character designs for She Said Destroy! Originally I think we had some magic tattoos on The Morrigan before I threw it out, to ensure that Brigid was as unique as possible being different realms of goddess. I think I wanted to have each goddess have their own respective look and branding, to where it would inevitably be recognizable each issue. Even with the Light Knights Adrian, our editor, ensured I pushed myself to really focus on an intentional look.
When coming up with the look for The Morrigan, was there a particular culture you drew inspiration from? What elements of style did you share between The Morrigan’s pre-Christian and space-warrior looks? How did you translate or try to capture this aesthetic in the Feys’ clothing?
I was a big fan of magic knight Rayearth as a kid, and when Joe approached me about making The Morrigan different, I thought of Umi and her hair (sea blue almost), and thought blue would be a rad color for a goddess of death . . . which is how it eventually snowballed into her final look. I was inspired by Alexander McQueen’s star and moon cape, and sort of liked the idea of it being an accessory for use— eventually I landed more on witch-inspired looks for her and the Fey because I was raised in a Lutheran/Wiccan household. Eventually her fighting gear sort of landed together, with a fur back and Joan of Arc-styled armor. Joe suggested a lot of Turkish fashion at the beginning, to gain strength from its unique timelessness and simplicity for the Fey. Because they are a people of faith and belief, they don’t need much to carry them through looks-wise.
When coming up with the look for Mother Brigid, was there a particular culture you drew inspiration from? What elements of style did you share between Brigids’s pre-Christian and space-god looks? How did you translate or try to capture this aesthetic in the clothing of her Light Knights and close followers like Vrixton?
For Brigid’s look, I wanted a timeless, classic look for a ruler who knows what she wants. Joe gave me complete creative control over her and I was excited to design such a strong, stoic goddess. I wanted to make The Morrigan and Brigid close enough in look, yet far enough away that they looked like they were on opposite sides. Brigid is accessorized with gold and her magic tattoos, as well as a simple elegant galaxy gown and adorning gold silk handkerchief. I took inspiration from Egyptians, as well as Turkish and 50s fashion. Our Light Knights, because they are knights in space, take some inspiration from medieval knight armor, and colors from old Irish mythological Brigid artist renditions. Vrixton is a mix between both, to show his importance as her closest follower, and true believer. It shows their status in the community and the riches they must own. (Whether it be monetary, magic, or faith.)
When drafting and illustrating the fashion for Winona/The Morrigan, and Brigid/Vrixton’s combined looks, what details did you find important to carry through to non-verbally communicate the power dynamics between the gods and their vessels?
I wanted Winona/Morrigan to look like themself, but as if they were wearing the armor of The Morrigan. I didn’t want to make it entirely too complicated because Winona is not entirely becoming a god (a vessel is the perfect word). Joe actually came up with carrying the two separate eye colors to mirror Bowie, which made me incredibly happy. Rebecca has a lot of input as well with colors, and they would not entirely exist as such a strong character without her.
I enjoyed the look of Vrixton merged, mostly because Adrian, our editor, came up with the idea for the look. I think Adrian could tell I was struggling to figure out something that would be a lasting statement and I think we all nailed it in the end. I think it truly resonated with the script and Vrixton’s character arc for the remainder of the book.
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