City on Fire: Banana Style

Welcome back to The Midnight Hour! We’re continuing our series City on Fire, where we dive into the lives of alternative artists and the inspirations behind their work. This week, I had the chance to sit down with the incredible Hannah, aka Banana Style. Over the weeks I’ve gotten to know her and experience her art, she’s become a huge inspiration to me personally & I’m excited to share a glimpse into her world.

@Hannahmaniacal

Hannah grew up in a deeply creative environment, designing and making clothes for as long as she can remember. As a child, she was always drawing clothing designs and watching her mother—who worked as a seamstress sew wedding dresses, outfits for friends, and even Hannah’s own clothes. She started hand-sewing before learning to use a machine at age 12, and the rest is history. Her creativity runs in the family. Hannah’s grandfather was a set designer for ABC in Chicago and a watercolor artist—his work hung around the family home, constantly inspiring her. He helped shape her artistic eye, encouraging her to draw connections between what she liked, what she saw, and what she could one day create. Her father was also a creative, working as a portrait photographer, but it was those trips with her mother to shopping centers—trying on clothes, sketching outfits, and modifying patterns that truly planted the seeds of Banana Style.

Designed by @Theconfidentline

As an artist myself, I know how powerful emotion can be in the creative process—whether it’s music, fashion, or sketching. So, I asked Hannah if emotion played a similar role in her work. “Yeah, of course. The emotion and the magic of creating something in the moment—it’s an energy that comes out in my pieces,” she told me. That’s why many of her works are one-of-a-kind. “I get an idea and try to see what materials I have. I create these parameters, or a theme, and I’m on it.” You can see that freedom in her work—the mix of textures, the boldness of color, and how every piece has its own identity. When talking about her creative process, Hannah shared that she, like many artists, has lots of unfinished projects not from a lack of ideas, but because she revisits concepts often. Some ideas evolve over time or get shelved until they find the right collection. She’s constantly jotting down inspiration—even in the middle of working on something else! When it comes to aesthetic vs. function, she explained, “Most people look at something and think, ‘How can I make that?’ But for me, it’s, ‘How would I use it?’ I create for aesthetic, and I style for function.” That duality really defines her work. To decompress, Hannah turns to video games—a passion I totally relate to. Music is another creative outlet for her. She’s an incredible singer, something I got to witness firsthand the night of our interview. Her creative ritual? Lighting a blunt, building out a beat, layering harmonies, and letting the magic happen. It’s the kind of process you just have to experience to understand.

Despite working freelance 12+ hour days, Hannah knows the importance of balance. When creative block hits, she shifts her focus playing games, tinkering with toys, or just diving into something more lighthearted. “I want to do something in my own voice,” she said. Over the past few years, she’s set new boundaries, like limiting her creative work week to 45 hours. The result? More control over her time and more intention in her art. From bold, colorful statement pieces to collaborations with musicians and creatives, Hannah’s voice rings loud and clear.

@TreNoops & @Theconfidentline

One of her recent projects I had the honor of being part of was Up West Fest, an event under her new nonprofit, Veteran of the Arts. With live music, a runway show, and a speaking panel, Hannah’s vision came to life—completed with community members and friends as models and performers. “One thing we’re trying to figure out is how to help musicians make a living wage,” she said. From negotiating with venues to challenging ticket gouging, she’s serious about supporting artists sustainably. “Artists shouldn’t have to live in poverty to create. That’s not the art I want to consume—it’s not relatable.” Visual artist TreNoops designed the Up West Fest poster, capturing the spirit of what feels like the beginning of something major.

So, what’s next for Hannah? She’s gearing up for several shows with the Staxx Brothers—an artist collective she’s collaborated with in the past—and has more festivals lined up for summer 2025. She’ll also be performing live with T-Spade on June 20th at a block party in the heart of Seattle.

Hannah is a true force in our creative community, and working with her has been nothing short of amazing. Follow her journey on Instagram to keep up with her latest projects, performances, and designs. @Theconfidentline

Until next time—stay inspired, and keep the fire burning.