What if Gotham City girls were real life hipsters? These are my hand drawn concept art slash fashion design for hipster Gotham City girls, but those were just the guidelines of the idea, I’m planning to make a larger sized artwork containing all the characters in one drawing. It was fun researching vintage style and outfits, making sure they stay authentic to the time period. You know how much hipsters love vintage stuff.
Hipster Catwoman. Gotham City girls 10 of 10. She is the style epitome of all hipster girls in existence. Obsessed with Batman, vintage clothing and jewelry, Audrey Hepburn, rebellious men, greaser fellas, Tim Burton movies, listens to oldies music, goes to fifties diners and cafes, … you get the idea. A stubborn, yet carefree spirit. With this drawing I paid homage to the golden age Selina Kyle, where she had purple dress and a green cape, so I put those colors in her sheer polka dot top and silk scarf. Modern age Catwoman had a gray cat suit on, so I rendered that into her tight jeans. The sixties TV show and Tim Burton movie had her in black shiny cat suit, so I have her don a leather biker jacket instead. Her hairstyle derived from fifties icons, combination of Natalie Wood, Marilyn Manson, Audrey Hepburn. Substituted her goggles with cat-eye spectacles.
Hipster Harley Quinn. Gotham City girls 9 of 10. More rockabilly than hipster, but sometimes they dress like pinup girls too. Thank you Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for creating Dr. Harleen Quinzel, one of the most entertaining character ever created in Batman The Animated Series as The Joker’s kooky love interest.
Hipster Batwoman. Gotham City girls 8 of 10. With her military background and her homosexuality, she must be the tomboy-est one in the Batman universe. When DC comics made her a lesbian in 2006, I anticipated her having a unique fashion sense. If I was a real woman, I’d be a lesbian too. Excuse my sloppy sketch.
Hipster Katana. Gotham City girls 7 of 10. Martial artist as great as Tatsu Yamashiro would need an outfit that that supports her athleticism. The Japanese school girl uniform look is played out, so I look no further than one of my musical and style hero Yukimi Nagano of the band Little Dragon. One of the best performers on the music biz, whom skills and energy is parallel to Katana’s fighting mastery. I chose Katana since she is prominently featured in my fav Birds of Prey, and she’ll be Batman’s sidekick in the upcoming animated series, Beware the Batman.
Hipster Poison Ivy. Gotham City girls 6 of 10. Of course Pamela Isley would be super environmentally friendly. I dubbed her style from the hippies of late sixties , early seventies. I research the materials for my drawing, so those heels she’s wearing are not suede, instead they’re made out of eco friendly deer skin. And yes, she doesn’t wear makeup, less chemicals, the better. I acknowledge the fact that Poison Ivy is the temptress of Gotham, but I’m not fond of women in skimpy outfits.
Hipster Talia al Ghul. 5 of 10. I do these Gotham City girls series with intensive research, and as you know, the comics portrayal of women’s clothes are ridiculous. Knowing Talia’s Arabic name, she must’ve dressed a little conservatively, I’m not a big fan of revealing outfit even in my beloved comics. Maybe I’m a stuck up woman myself, who knows. Anyhow, with Talia’s intelligence and business woman prowess, I incorporated the early sixties fashion a la Mad Men. The pattern and color of her dress is a homage to Marion Cotillard’s costume in The Dark Knight Rises.
Hipster Zatanna. Gotham City girls 4 of 10. I’m sure she would be one of those Harry Potter fans, donning British wizard school uniform as a daily attire. Bowler hat substitutes her original top hat because women don’t normally wear top hats down the street.
Hipster Black Canary. Gotham City girls 3 of 10. She’s the talented fighter, athletic, sporty gal amongst the gang; so what better tribute to do than Olivia Newton John - Physical music video and other eighties flicks where all the cheesy action take place? Her canary cry could only mean that she’s ready to break out into a song any moment. Black metallic varsity jacket, hi-top sneakers, leather gloves, Carolina blue workout shorts, ripped fishnets, new wave written all over.
Hipster Batgirl, Barbara Gordon. Hipster Gotham City girls 2 out of 10. I know this ensemble is a bit unusual and daring for you fanboys, but trust me, I’ve worked in women’s clothing company, and these are probably the kinda outfit I’d have my daughter wear (I don’t think I’ll have kids, inferiority complex). Batgirl is the nerdy techie of the bunch, so I figured she’d wear granny glasses, bring her laptop bag everywhere, wraps her orange locks in a bun, wear dark blue bustier corset underneath her sheer buttoned blouse, golden vintage western tie, dark purple shorts, yellow leggings and b&w oxford flats…. Did I mention that I’m a woman trapped in a hermaphrodite body?
Hipster Huntress. Gotham City Girls 1 of 1. I figured Helena, either Wayne or Bertinelli would be a rebel; being dark and edgy would separate her from Batgirl or her earth-2 mother Catwoman. Black trench coat is a must for an aspiring vigilante. Hints of purple are there as well. Accessorized with her trademark silver cross necklace. My favorite Gotham girl.
So far the most likes on my instagram account go to Huntress and Batwoman, and the least likes go to Catwoman, which I found very strange since I gave the least effort on Batwoman (it resembles myself more) and Huntress (it was the first drawing in the series). I spent the most time drawing and detailing Catwoman, making sure the anatomy and shading were correct. It’s the same case with popular music, the songs that had plenty of thought and effort into it (aka the obscure indie songs I love) never got popular, but thoughtless songs about partying (I hate parties), getting inebriated (I don’t drink except red wine), thug life swagger (simply irritating) and other debauchery are the hit songs in the media. Strange planet you earthlings live in. Pardon my rant. Hope you enjoyed my fan fic, thanks for reading folks!
-red.
