#omg animating took aaaages

[butterfly-winx]

Sirenix!

I have done did it, the next transformation lineup is ready. Design notes down below.

I have always been a fan of the legging look, but thought that since mermaid tails were off the table, Rainbow should have at least given the girls some diving flippers. Aside from that, this whole transformation design is just a big love letter from me to Iris van Herpen. (I can’t even count the number of inspo vs direct reference to dresses she made) Her work has left a huge impression on me and I wanted to try my hand at kinetic underwater designs myself, drawing from organic scaly patterns and shapes.

Musa’s design is similar to the previous iteration I’ve drawn of her, with some long sleeve hanfu elements. I was enchanted by a video of mermaid performers swimming in hanfu and the image stuck with me. Colours of her leggings are inspired by underwater volcanic vents and the tunic is striated like tuna meat.

The main element in Flora’s form is pearls and a tropical fish (I think it’s called angelfish?). I wanted to mirror her floral looks with the softness of the fin “fabric”, plus I’ve let her keep the wrapped arm sash from the OG design, albeit modified.

Stella’s transformation is inspired by North Sea kelp (the kind that grows 200m long). Since I imagine she would use more of her moon powers underwater, I introduced more silver and blue into her transformation and kept the oranges subdued. She has a fishtail braid for puns, fun, and because I think she would cope worst of all the girls with hair flying in her face underwater.

Daphne, again, looks very similar to my original design of her. Her form is inspired by jellyfish in silhouette and by sea slugs in colour and design. She gets a little bit more jewellery and a comb crown to signify the seniority points she has over the others.

Underwater princess Layla gets a crown as well and some dip-dyed locks (she is the only one who gets some hair dye). Her form is inspired by sharks: “smooth”, fast and kings of the sea. The fins/epaulettes are a direct IvH homage to her use of fabric, but are also meant to evoke a royal feeling especially used together with purple. The seashell top is an easter egg.

Bloom like her sister draws inspo from jellyfish as well as coral reefs in general. I keep denying her blue-pink rights and put her in blue-orange but that’s my own hill to die on. The hip fins are also a little bit inspired by the proto-sirenix sketches that were floating around.

And finally Tecna. Their transformation is inspired by marine trenches and fishing nets. (Bc fishing is a human “technology” that was invented). I wanted them to wear something streamlined but spiky. Wasn’t sure about the hair for a while, but the padawan braid really makes it I think.

No Roxy for now, because I’m not sure if she gets this transformation within the span of my AU. (But there is a surpise ninth member to the team who does lol)