Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Isis Ashanti. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Isis, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I believe for me one of the most meaningful project I’ve worked on was the project I did to announce the release of my website. I have many projects that are meaningful to me because I feel like every idea that I have is connected to my life in some way, whether it’s something I’m learning in the moment, from my past, or looking towards the future. The project I want to speak about is the one I call “Yin and Yang.” The theme of the shoot was generally speaking on the comparison of opposite things and how many times you find parts of one in the other, like Yin and Yang. Sometimes I feel like there is a battle between the two things when all there needs to be is acceptance of each other, and so, the battle for me represented how I felt at the time about growing up and having to balance between my inner child and growing young adult. How sometimes there’s an inner conflict or imbalance and the process of getting to equilibrium feels like having to find one inside of the other and accepting yourself as a whole.
Many people don’t know that aside from doing creative direction, I’m also a designer of clothing and I also create luxury beaded bras, wearable art. At the time of creating this idea I designed an entire gold chained bra and skirt and used that in the representation of my older self, Yang.
Instead of using the traditional colors that you would see for Yin and yang (black and white) I used gold and silver to mesh the idea with my physical creation of the chain set. Yin was silver, representing my childhood self which felt very chaotic, excited, angry or confused, wild, and free. I feel like the styling of everything matched the energy I wanted to portray really well. Yang, representing my older self and everything I wanted to become, was gold. Gold shines very brightly and feels whole, peaceful, refined, happy, and warm. While she is all of these things, the past is also very important but, it is not all of who you are. In order to grow you have to accept your roots. In the middle of the ven diagram of the two you find freedom, power, and fierce beauty.
The posing of myself and my counterpart model, Kaziah was in my mind meant to be like siblings fighting against each other but, in the end coming together as a whole.
This was my most meaningful project because it has so many layers and the way it naturally flowed and came together was so beautiful. I feel like many people don’t understand what it means to be a creative director because it’s more than just putting people in front of a camera in cute outfits. You’re telling a story and letting people feel parts of yourself and your life without them even knowing. It can be a very interesting process and for me it’s different every time but, I love the process and results alike so much!
Shout out to my beautiful team on the Yin and Yang project.
mua- @IAMCHRISFELT @HYPHENATEHOUSE
photographer- @STUDIOOA._
models- @KATHARSUSS- @ISISASHANTII
bts photos- @IAMCHRISFELT
styling & design- @ISISASHANTII & @ISISASHANTI.CO

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi my name is Isis Williams, I’m a creative director, photographer, clothing designer, and model, basically the entire production. All my work and designs can be found at IsisAshanti.com. I’ve always been a creative child but, I started on my creative journey during covid quarantine, of course. I was simply in my room taking photos of myself in cool makeup looks and from there everything snowballed into elaborate ideas and worlds. Everything that I do came in to play one after the other, it all connects and I feel it was all meant to happen in the way that it did. I was a self portrait photographer starting out and that’s what I was known for, I still do it from time to time. Modeling and creative direction were my first two steps. I love modeling and I had so so many ideas, I quickly came to the realization that I need a camera or photographer at all times but, financially booking a photographer for every idea wasn’t feasible. I was gifted a Canon for Christmas in 2022 and from there hit the ground running. I really respect and appreciate my eye for things, people, and places so not only did I need a camera for myself but, I wanted to show people my eye and how I see them as well. Styling was always of course apart of the things that I did but, I was hitting blockages with styling because of the lack of finding the things that I see in my head. I knew how to sew from my mom teaching me at 13 so, I said why not create the things I’m thinking of. That’s how I got into fashion design and wearable body art/jewelry. This is the shortest version of the longest story. Literally just a talented girl having fun with her life and skills.
The reason everything has turned into a business is because of the support I’ve gotten over the years. People who see the things that I’ve done so far, are really gravitated towards it and I love being helpful while being creative so I extended everything into services for me to provide. You can realistically put me on set with any title and I will provide. The main services that I do are photography, design, and direction at the moment. I’m often booked for styling as well. I create experience and deliver my creative eye to whoever is in need of it. I take pride in every result that I give and it’s all original to my own story, that’s what will always naturally set me apart.
Photography/creative spam @weird.hippy
Direction and modeling @isisashantii
Fashion design @isisashanti.co
IsisAshanti.com

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I feel this is something that I’ve always known but, had still had to teach myself to do. There’s power in being open and opening your mouth, especially as a creative. In order to receive you have to be open whether it’s within an experience or a person. You never know what you can learn or feel by letting your intuition guide you, and it can be the thing that sparks your next idea. I like to try new things and get out of my comfort zone and it makes me a better person and free thinker. I can sometimes be closed off to people and I’ve learned to just speak, ask questions, say what I’m thinking and feeling at any time because you don’t know what’s out there or what will come from it.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, it’s definitely hearing from someone who you sought you out, as well as the results of it. I love when people book me, that is the most rewarding thing. Having me, create, my art, for you, specifically ? That’s wild. Thank you!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://isisashanti.com
• Instagram: isisashantii
• Other: instagram @ isisashanti.co
  instagram @ weird.hippy

Image Credits

Isis Williams