radiantweek - Tumblr blog

radiantweek · 1 month ago

Text

Broad Strokes, Part II : The Characters

Season 1 follows the adventures of our main seven girls, with Wave 2 characters, The A's, and Kia Hart also having recurring roles. and character development. Some of these characters were completely changed from the bottom up, and others were only tweaked slightly.

Find the first part of this post here.

THE FIRST YEARS

RUBY ALVAREZ // FOCUS: GRAPHIC DESIGN

A Bronx-born Dominican girl with a knack for artistic pranks. Growing up, her parents doted on her three elder athlete brothers - and ever the competitor, Ruby followed suit and pushed herself to excellence in sports too. But after a nasty accident at a track meet left her unable to train, Ruby was forced to reflect on who exactly she was doing this for. While recovering, she rekindled her passion for customizing sneakers, fucking around on Illustrator, and making clay sculptures. By the time she was able to compete again, she opted out and chose to instead focus her time on developing her craft. Ruby has no filter and thinks that everything is a game she can win. While she's competitive, she doesn't like to play games and knows when to nip funny business in the bud. She doesn't always have the best control over her impulses, but that often results in incredible work from her.

♬ WALE, LADY GAGA - CHILLIN

Ruby is an Aries, born on April 7th.

Ruby is bilingual and speaks Spanish in a Caribbean dialect.

Ruby's brothers are named Maikel, Mateo, and Marco.

POPPY ROWAN // FOCUS: MUSIC ENGINEERING

After being discovered at a beachfront talent show, Poppy went on to become a child star known for her role as Arabella Butterfly on Rock The House, a musical children's sitcom. After filming three seasons of the show, homesickness finally got the better of her, and she returned home to Hawaii to stay out of the limelight. Back on the mainland, she found her love for producing and DJing, and spent years developing her ear and sharpening her skills. Years ago, Poppy made a promise to herself that the next time she'd step foot in LA, it would be on her terms and hers alone. Poppy is a social butterfly, and her easy-going personality lets her fit in with practically any crowd. Deep inside, she knows that there isn't some grand final destination to be found at the end of the road, and that eventually she'll have to look around her and decide if the environment she's built is suitable for her to continue growing in.

♬ KELELA - ALL THE WAY DOWN

Poppy is a Gemini, born on June 13th.

Poppy has synesthesia and can hear sounds in color.

Poppy was actually offered a record deal from the network in exchange for her staying, but she walked away from it herself.

SUNNY MADISON // FOCUS: COMPUTER ANIMATION

Sunny is the daughter of Misty Madison and Ray Madison, two Rainbow High alumni who went on to be well-respected gallery artists. They were shocked by Sunny's proclivity towards anime and manga, but openly encouraged her to follow her passions. Every piece of media that's ever resonated with Sunny makes itself known in Hi Hi Kawaii, her indie animated series. Three years running, it has a small cult following. Initially, it was a joint effort between her and her twin sister, but the latter quit early on. Calling Sunny a ray of sunshine would be an understatement. Nobody's quite as bubbly and energetic as she is. She's a fangirl at heart and cheers on all her friends, especially Violet Willow, her Upper East Side townhouse neighbor and childhood bestie. Sunny is prone to fantasy and has great intuition. She may have little conception of boundaries, but her desire to be close to those she loves endears everyone around her.

♬ F5VE - BOW CHIKA WOW WOW

Sunny is a Pisces, born on March 18th.

Sunny is very close to her parents and childhood nanny, Cynthia.

Sunny thinks animals are adorable, but is physically unable to keep a pet.

JADE HINOKI // FOCUS: COSMETOLOGY; MAKEUP

Jade is a Scorpio, born on October 22nd. (Just a day after Bella's birthday)

Jade was always regarded as the black sheep of her family. She wasn't ostracized for it, or anything, but it was always hard for her to get on equal terms with her relatives. As a kid, she rejected traditionally girly things, believing them to be signs of weakness. She despised conformity, and in her eyes, no invisible rules were as harsh as those of what a girl "should" be. But things changed after a trip to Kyoto made her realize that makeup wasn't gross or lame. It was an avenue of self-expression - one that Jade took to quickly. She spent years apprenticing at different beauty counters before one boss finally got her to send in an application to Rainbow High. Jade's makeup matches her personality: bold, narrative-driven, and at times, jarring. She can only be satisfied when she's being 100% herself. Jade is kind, honest, and loyal, but has a ruthless view of the world. She calls it as it is and isn't afraid of the things most other people are. In fact, she actually enjoys confronting them. Her only weakness is her unwillingness to be vulnerable. To be known.

♬ DOECHII - MPH

Jade is half-Japanese and half-Canadian. Her hometown is Toronto.

Jade is bisexual.

Her surname Hinoki comes from the Japanese cypress trees of the same name.

SKYLER BRADSHAW // FOCUS: FASHION DESIGN

Skyler is a Cancer, born on June 25th.

Skyler grew up in Paris, daughter of a former New York Beat columnist and a Wall Street financier. Safe to say, she emerged into the world of fashion at a very young age. When it comes to fashion design, Skyler is nothing less than a child prodigy. She's the youngest Project Couture winner to date, competing in her season at only 10 years old. She's extremely talented, but she prefers to have her work speak for itself. She's sensitive and takes on other people's problems, which makes her an incredible friend and teammate. Unfortunately, she also has a habit of hiding her sorrow to avoid burdening those around her. In addition to that, she's notoriously bad at taking criticism impersonally - a nasty Achilles heel for any creative. Still, she's naturally empathetic and is great at creating supportive environments, which is why most of the girls consider her the best roommate.

♬ ASIA HOLIDAY - ONE IN A MILLION

Skyler has many ridiculous food allergies.

Her parents are a reference to Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big from Sex and the City.

VIOLET WILLOW // FOCUS: DIGITAL MEDIA

Violet is a Leo, born on August 20th.

At only 8 years old, Violet Willow landed an audition for an entertainment news channel and began working as a Kid Reporter - interviewing rockstars, actors, and other celebs on red carpets. Though she was young, she absorbed a ton of info on how to communicate effectively, keep viewers entertained, and tap into star power - all lessons that would come in handy when she blew up as a preteen influencer. Vi takes pride in her work, and hopes to one day score a job in major fashion media. Violet exudes creativity. She's a performer at heart and brings a theatrical flair to any room she walks into. She comes off cool and collected even when she's doing something crazy, all because of the complete faith she places in her instincts. She's a bit vain, and way braggadocious - but in her mind, her bragging is simply her sharing. She likes to feel important, and more than anything, wants to be recognized for who she is. She and Sunny have very different personalities, but their shared creativity and open communication make them an unbreakable pair.

♬ ADDISON RAE - NEW YORK

Violet has two adoptive fathers, both interior designers. Their names are James Willow and Tao Wu (lavender and cream-themed, respectively).

Violet is ethnically Chinese.

BELLA PARKER// FOCUS: ART DIRECTION; SET DESIGN

Bella is a Libra, born on October 21st.

Bella's mother is her biggest inspiration. Ruth Parker was a German immigrant who left her three sisters back in Wisconsin to chase her dreams in Hollywood. Ruth is a career woman among career women, and she's not only the reason why Bella has boundless ambition, but also why she became interested in theatre. Bella's determination may come across as overachieving, but all she wants is to bring her big ideas to life. Her guile has gotten her very far in life, but it causes her to take on impossible tasks, and at times, break the rules. Bella is a natural leader. She's conflict avoidant and makes it her mission to see every side of every situation before calling a verdict. She's equal parts charming and responsible, giving her the ability to balance out the turbulent environment around her. She's sociable, yet interior. Strategic, yet spontaneous. All of her contradictions only add to her charismatic nature.

♬ ARIANA GRANDE - BE ALRIGHT

Bella was born in Malibu, on account of her mother being a reference to Barbie.

When she was in middle school, producers for Pacific Coast reached out to Bella to see if she'd be interested in becoming a series regular, but she declined.

Bella is a lesbian.

AMAYA RAINE // FOCUS: FASHION DESIGN

Amaya is a Sagittarius, born on December 1st.

Amaya is a waitlist applicant who's dreamed of attending Rainbow High from the day she first saw it mentioned in a magazine. Born way upstate in Woodstock County, she was well-known for her eclectic fashion and persona. Growing up in such an insular community, Amaya yearned for the day she'd be let out into the "real" world. She's on a quest to discover her true self and has a blindingly positive outlook on life. She's obsessed with improving herself, which is good in theory, but often results in her editing her work, appearance, and surroundings ad nauseum. Her standards are sky high, and they're the reason for her frequent burnouts. They're also the reason why she has a habit of coming off as pretentious. She doesn't mean to be a snob; she simply expects the outside world to always be as big and beautiful as she dreamed it to be. Being herself has never been the hard part. She's loud, blunt, and more than comfortable forming opinions out of pure emotion. Her challenge lies in learning who that "self" actually is.

♬ SHYGIRL - ENCORE

Amaya's favorite relative is her aunt Iris, who lives in Brooklyn. She calls her for hours, sighing in awe as Iris regales her with tales of life downstate.

Amaya grew up on a farm as the oldest of 4 siblings.

THE SECOND YEARS

COLIN LOPATIN // FOCUS: GRAPHIC DESIGN

Colin is a Libra. His birthday might as well be any day of the week with the way he acts.

Colin and Skyler attended the same middle school together in Chelsea when they started dating. The two met at a dinner party, with Colin's investment banker parents being colleagues with Sky's financier father. The two have always been a bit of an unlikely pair, but for the longest time, their shared passion for art was what connected them. Colin generally spends his days playing video games, loitering around trendy cafés, and playing with Clear Quartz, his synthwave band. He's self-centered and sensitive. He has little concern for the needs of others.

♬ EYELINER - SNEAKERS FOR MEN

Colin's surname Lopatin comes from Daniel Lopatin, pioneer of the vaporwave movement.

RIVER ACOSTA // FOCUS: PERFORMING ARTS

River is a Taurus, born on April 30th.

Equal parts cool and sensitive, River is Rainbow High's resident heartthrob. Whether he's singing or acting, his spirit is genuine enough to bring the scariest critics to tears - and he's been doing so since he was six. River's first gig was singing the national anthem at a baseball game - a viral moment that helped jumpstart his Broadway career. He grew up with a single mother in a Brooklyn housing complex - because of that, his humility never falters. He hopes to take his talents to the silver screen one day, and he's well on his way to. His sweet demeanor and sincerity may be his charming points, but everybody's got their flaws. River fears. A lot. His personal anxieties about material things (and better yet, losing the material things he does have) can lead him to instill that same fear in the people he loves. He's a perfectionist, which means he knows every single one of his imperfections down to the millimeter. He may be patient and hardworking, but he's always looking for some kind of payout for it all.

♬ YOUNG FRANCO, EARTHGANG - LOSE CONTROL

River is a Puerto Rican New Yorker, and speaks in a Boricua accent.

River was a guest star on Rock The House, and met Poppy briefly.

KARMA NICHOLS // FOCUS: DIGITAL MEDIA

Karma is a Capricorn, born on January 7th.

Karma Nichols is the youngest daughter of business mogul Kelly Kandhari and world class rapper Wesley Nichols. All five of her older sisters attended RH before her, but Karma refuses to live in their shadow. Rainbow High is her chance to carve out an identity for herself separate from the one she's had to live with ever since Never Enough Nichols (her family's reality TV series) first hit the airwaves. Karma's been a fully grown adult since she was six. She's responsible, disciplined, and spunky, all traits that have helped her grow her incredibly popular vlog series, Kontent With Karma. It takes her a while to warm up to people, but when she makes a friendship, it's for life. In the future, Karma hopes to become a fashion business magnate with influence in multiple spheres of the industry. She knows her goal, and she's not afraid of the obstacles in the way.

♬ RHEA RAJ - MUMBAI

Karma is half-Black and half-Indian. She lived in Calabasas before coming to Rainbow High.

Karma's sisters are all supermodels and designers. (From oldest to youngest, their names are Kamala, Kaavya, Kaira, Kashvi, and Kadali.)

Karma and her family are based loosely on Kylie and the Kar-jenners.

THE THIRD YEARS

KRYSTAL BAILEY // FOCUS: JOURNALISM

Krystal is a Virgo, born on September 4th.

Krystal grew up in Columbus, Georgia - where she first started writing at only seven years old. Her journalistic talent was something that greatly impressed her teachers, even if she was just spilling the deets on elementary school drama, and they encouraged her to continue. Krystal's passion eventually led to her fascination with the arts as a whole. She spent years interviewing local playwrights, fashion designers, street artists and more. She loved hearing about art and they loved talking to her about it. When she was accepted into Rainbow High with her nearly clairvoyant trend forecast report, Krystal took the student body by storm. She became a regular writer for The Scene (Rainbow High's school magazine) and within a year, became the youngest student to ever nab the title of editor-in-chief. Krystal's words are powerful, and at Rainbow High, there's no higher honor for a student than being acknowledged by this tastemaker. Krystal is fair, clear-headed, and determined. She chases the truth every day of her life, and because of that, never shows fear in the face of a challenge.

♬ DUA LIPA - HALLUCINATE

Krystal seems to live on coffee, as it's the only thing she's ever seen consuming.

Despite their resemblance, Krystal is in no way related to Lou Wright. Dean Wright is quite fond of Krystal, however, and the two have a close aunt-niece relationship.

AVERY STYLES // FOCUS: FASHION DESIGN

Avery is a Leo that was coincidentally born on the same day as the other A's: July 25th.

Avery Styles is the queen regent of Rainbow High. She's responsible for numerous innovations around the school, including the student pop-up shop, the personal fashion studio lottery, and Artistic Outreach Day, among others. She generates dynamic ideas on the spot, and refuses to let the colors in her head become deferred dreams. At first glance, it may seem like everyone's just scared of her, but the reality is that her natural talent is an inspiration to all. Nobody can achieve perfection, but that's what Avery embodies. Aidan and Ainsley were the first people to notice that, and the three have been inseparable since. Avery exudes creativity. She also happens to exude self-conceit. She doesn't want to be exposed to anything that doesn't please her for even a second, which is why she's so dismissive of seemingly... everyone. It takes a lot to get Avery's attention, but once you've managed to captivate her, you're golden.

♬ BEYONCÉ - ALIEN SUPERSTAR

Avery is mixed race, and her natural hair is pink with a 3C curl pattern. She enjoys wearing wigs.

Avery's father is a well-known fashion illustrator. When she was a kid, she'd restyle her dolls with scraps of her own clothing, and he'd sketch them in their new outfits for her.

AINSLEY SLATER // FOCUS: ACCESSORY DESIGN

Ainsley is a Leo that was coincidentally born on the same day as the other A's: July 25th.

Ainsley walked into Rainbow High with obsessive workmanship, an annotated rule book, and a ponytail almost as high as her standards. She's originally from San Francisco, and came from a home of surgeons. Because she chose to follow the arts, the expectations they hold her to are nigh Herculean. She spent years in the shadow of her sister, Audrey, who, according to her parents, is the Ainsley that they wished for. Ainsley would've been fine not making any friends at school, but was lucky enough to connect with fellow overachievers Avery and Aidan on her first day. Together, the three form The A's - an art collective known for being the cream of the crop. Ainsley's intelligence and wit is only matched by her spite. She's catty, and at times, callous. But her real friends know that there's more than meets the eye about this little dark rain cloud.

♬ CAKES DA KILLA, PROPER VILLAINS - LITE WERK

Ainsley is Jewish American.

Ainsley has a very sentimental attachment to NYC. She's been to a lot of different vacation spots with her family over the years, but in her eyes, New York trumps them all.

AIDAN RUSSELL // FOCUS: FINE ARTS

Aidan is a Leo that was coincidentally born on the same day as the other A's: July 25th.

Aidan is the single son of a single mother: Vanilla Russell, a publicist known for marketing and boosting the careers of numerous pop legends. As such, Aidan got to spend a lot of time fraternizing with teen popstars and the kids of famous actors when he was young. He enjoyed many years of frolicking around Los Angeles with them, but one day came to the realization that he wanted more than a superficial life spent around superficial people. He loved his mom and was proud of the work she did, but he felt like he wouldn't be able to truly grow if he stayed in Beverley Hills. So, he threw himself into classical music, sculpture, and other noble arts before moving across the country to attend Rainbow High. He's a trusted upperclassman who spends his time as a teacher's assistant and mediator between Avery and Ainsley's verbal sparring matches. Aidan's pretentious, snooty, and lily-livered, but he's not all bad. He looks for deeper meaning in every aspect of his life, and hates nothing more than feeling boxed into one place.

♬ TROYE SIVAN - GOT ME STARTED

Aidan is the youngest artist to ever have an exhibit in the MMoA (Modern Museum of Art).

Aidan is gay. A big part of why he left Los Angeles was due to an embarrassing spat he and his ex-boyfriend got into at his own birthday party.

KIA HART // FOCUS: STYLING

Kia is an Aquarius, born on Valentine's Day.

Kia's passion is making connections. She's been obsessed with putting things together since she was a kid. Crazy fashion combos, new friends, and even creative collaborators. But her specialty is romantic matchmaking. She's the Cupid of Rainbow High and proudly boasts nine successful relationships thus far. Kia is on the styling focus track, not just because she loves fashion, but because she's enamored by the relationship clothing has with intimacy. She believes that a wardrobe should make you feel as confident and beautiful as a life partner does. According to Kia, what you wear on the outside tells the world loud and clear who you are on the inside, and every signal your outfit sends out has the potential to introduce you (or repel you) from the love of your life. Kia has the gift of gab. She knows practically everyone at school, and always has the latest gossip. Kia runs the café at the Rainbow Union, and according to rumors, any pair of friends who share her absurdly expensive "Kia Cookies" are bound to fall in love.

♬ MARY JANE GIRLS - IN MY HOUSE

Kia is Afro-Latina, with her mother being Cuban and her father being Black.

Kia's full name is Makia Valentina Hart. Kia was a nickname born out of love, and it's dear to her because of that.

When she was only a second-year student, Kia got the opportunity to assist Miss Morton as a stylist for her resort runway show.

Kia is a child of divorce, and helped both her father and mother find new partners.

#rainbow high redux #rainbow high #rh #rainbow high redux broad strokes #dollblr #rainbow high dolls #rewrite #fan project #fashion dolls

3 notes · View notes

radiantweek · 1 month ago

Text

Broad Strokes, Part I : The Schools

Before I start sharing art and story details, I think it best to begin by laying the bricks of the AU's foundation. Art will come EVENTUALLY, but for now I'm just going to be doing some general worldbuilding. So, let's start by reintroducing ourselves to the schools!

RAINBOW HIGH

An elite visual arts high school located in Lower Manhattan, New York City. Known for its exclusivity and 100% alumni employment rate, Rainbow High is regarded as a valuable resource for numerous industries. The school is optimized for student creativity, with colorful statues and installations scattered throughout its interior. Dormitories are spacious and well-designed, and multiple facilities (including the RHTV television studio) are entirely student-run. Rainbow High's community is one buzzing with creative energy. You're always surrounded by people who love what they do. There's a strong culture of self-expression, hence student involvement in traditions like locker decorating.

Rainbow High's faculty is composed of passionate creatives well-versed in their respective fields. Some, like shoe designer Pamela Morton, already run their own successful businesses. Rainbow High's approach to education balances hands-on learning with specialized curriculum.

Location: Downtown Manhattan, New York

Student Count: 2,331

Head of School: Dean Lou Wright

SHADOW HIGH

Eternally in the shadow of Rainbow High, Shadow High (otherwise known as the Storm Mansion) is less of RH's opposite and more so its dark reflection. The "school" isn't sanctioned in any legal way and operates out of the 33,000 square foot estate of Melanie Storm, a Rainbow High dropout turned fashion designer. Madame Storm happens to be the grandmother of twins Veronica and Naomi Storm.

If RH is a talent factory, then Shadow High is a superstar incubator. Students do not apply to study at the mansion. Instead, a team of industry experts scouts out to recruit young talent. The curriculum is completely tailored to each student, so much so that many Shadow High kids report to only one or two professors. By virtue of this, any field a student wishes to study is registered as an official Focus, no matter how niche it is. (ie. Cosmetic Chemistry, etc.) Because Shadow High's faculty is composed of private tutors and industry figureheads, it has cultivated a space wherein students are less inhibited but still challenged. Shadow High goes above and beyond to sharpen the talents of its young acolytes, but the coursework is notoriously brutal, and allegedly, so are the students.

Location: Ithaca, New York

Student Count: 116

Head of School: Headmistress Melanie Storm

PACIFIC COAST HIGH

Pacific Coast High is Rainbow High's sister school, located far west in Malibu. PCH is an art school that focuses less on fashion and design, and more on performing arts - such as acting, songwriting and dance. Here, students from Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Fresno, and the Palisades come together to chase their dreams of stardom. Pacific Coast High itself is significantly smaller than it's New York sister school, but it boasts an outdoor campus wherein classes are held beachside. Every school has its stereotypes: Rainbow High students are often thought of as snobby, and Shadow High students are rumored to be quite venomous. PCH's cross to bear is that they're regarded as a bit lazy.

Still, the school has produced a myriad of well-respected popstars, screenwriters, actors, and music producers - but its wow-factor comes from Pacific Coast, the school's associated reality TV show. Pacific Coast has been running since the school opened its doors, and has only grown more successful over time. The pop culture phenomenon follows the lives of several wealthy students attending PCH, focusing on their interpersonal drama and artistic ventures. Seasons run for four years at a time before a group graduates and a new batch of first years is selected. This year's crop of newcomers are Simone Summers, Finn Rosado, Harper Dune, Margot De Perla, Hali Capri, and Phaedra Westward.

Location: Malibu, Los Angeles

Student Count: 1,120

Head of School: Principal Caleb Calloway

#rainbow high redux #rainbow high #rh #rainbow high redux broad strokes #dollblr #rainbow high dolls #rewrite

6 notes · View notes