My illustration style is so influenced by the fashion world. Through my work I get to work parallel to the industry, whether that’s through collaborations, limited edition packaging, or magazine illustrations.

Kia ora I’m Bon a multi disciplinary artist and designer, which is a LinkedIn sounding way to say that I get to be creative for a career. My exposure to fashion started through my mum who loved colour and pairing patterns (that shouldn’t work together) in a really vibrant way. I can appreciate this now, but as a painfully quiet kid whose loud Irish single mum stood out amongst the black puffer jackets, I was mortified. She was my first exposure to fashion being an expression of identity.

I also grew up in a household where money was super tight so I was trawling the op shops for as long as I can remember, back when wearing other peoples discarding clothes was definitely not seen as cool. I started to get into illustration around the same time as I was learning a lot more about NZ designers, and it kickstarted a ‘draw it until you can afford it’ series of mine.

Clearly money and fashion have always unintentionally been connected in my mind! Now I really try to shop without considering trends, and as mindfully as I can, whilst still trying to carve out my own style through fashion. I also love that being creative allows you to engage with fashion in fun ways.

Check out Bonnie on Instagram and TikTok

The FNZ Creators Power List 2023 was brought to life with the support of Powerhouse