Starlita Hughes
Starlita Hughes is an original character design. This editorial-style illustration transforms Starlita into the radiant centerpiece of a mock New Yorker magazine cover, combining Afrofuturist aesthetics, the enduring influence of Black women in fashion and culture, and the visual power of superhero storytelling. Designed using Procreate and refined with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, this piece explores themes of liberation, glamour, and unapologetic self-expression.
Objective
To create a compelling mock editorial illustration that:
Showcases an original character design with strong narrative identity
Emulates the sophistication and wit of The New Yorker’s cover style
Elevates Black femininity, bold fashion, and liberated attitude
Demonstrates digital illustration and layout design skills for editorial and advertising contexts
Concept Development
The project began with a strong narrative foundation centered on the original character Starlita Hughes — a dynamic, bold, and confident figure who represents liberation, self-expression, and innate stardom. The core idea for Starlita Hughes grew from the question: What if a Black woman’s everyday existence was treated as a cosmic event?
Her name, Starlita, nods to her celestial essence, while “Hughes” speaks to her grounded humanity and lineage. Her visual identity centers her as a figure who not only belongs in the spotlight but is the spotlight—radiating light, commanding attention, and embodying joy as an act of resistance.
Process
Creative Process
Sketching in Procreate: Initial pencil-style sketches developed the character’s anatomy, stance, and fashion details.
Color & Texture Rendering: Layering digital brushes to achieve the lush texture of hair, fabric, and skin tones.
Editorial Layout in Illustrator: Vector-based composition for clean, sharp text placement and brand mock-up elements.
Photo Editing in Photoshop: Final tonal adjustments, lighting effects, and atmospheric enhancements for a high-production finish.
Final Deliverable
Once the pose and framing were finalized, a clean black-and-white linework version was created:
Strong contour lines define Starlita’s silhouette and outfit details (boots, tube top, belt, nails)
Her hair becomes a cosmic aura, filled with stars that visually reinforce her “celestial energy”
This project reflects a thoughtful design process built on the creative intent for Starlita to be a celebration of innate stardom—the kind of radiance that does not need external validation. She exists in a visual space where glamour meets power, and where style is both armor and identity. Through intentional design choices, she emerges not just as a fashion figure, but as a cultural statement
Strong character development
Clear editorial context
Deep connection to Black culture, beauty, and storytelling
Afrofuturism, Fashion, and Superhero Power
Starlita Hughes merges Afrofuturism’s cosmic vision with the cultural legacy of Black women in fashion and the empowering stance of superhero archetypes. Her voluminous afro—adorned with stars—becomes both crown and cosmos, symbolizing ancestral connection and future possibility.
The warm oranges and rich browns in her color palette ground her in African diasporic identity, while bold greens and denim add a futuristic, streetwise vibrancy. Her styling fuses eras: a structured corset, 2000s ruffled mini-skirt, and timeless gold hoops, all worn with the unapologetic flair of icons who have redefined global glamour. Her dynamic pose channels comic book heroism—leaning forward with purpose, ready for the spotlight or a challenge—while her “costume” tells a silent origin story. Liberation, style, and strength are inseparable, positioning Starlita as both a cultural muse and a heroine of imagined futures.
