Disney Princesses Reimagined As Modern Women In The 21st Century

Imagine Ariel as a marine biologist championing ocean conservation.

Damjan

• Published in Disney
• March 15, 2024

In a world where nostalgia meets modern-day flair, Anoosha, a seasoned children’s book illustrator and character designer for animation, bridges the gap between the enchanting realm of Disney princesses and the dynamic pulse of the 21st century.

With a brush dipped in creativity and a heart full of admiration for these timeless characters, Anoosha embarked on a whimsical journey, reimagining these beloved figures as teens and young adults navigating today's world.

Anoosha's digital gallery is not just a visual feast but a narrative adventure, as each illustration comes with its backstory, faithfully reflecting the princesses’ personalities as if they've leaped from their fairy-tale worlds straight into the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Imagine Ariel as a marine biologist championing ocean conservation, Belle as a digital librarian advocating for literacy, or Tiana as a culinary influencer inspiring healthy eating. Anoosha’s interpretations offer a fresh perspective on how these iconic characters would adapt their dreams and aspirations in our contemporary world.

The meticulous attention to detail extends beyond the characters themselves, with each artwork peppered with subtle nods to their original stories.

From a seashell accessory that whispers of Ariel's oceanic origins to a rose emblem subtly integrated into Belle's modern wardrobe, these homages invite viewers to embark on a delightful scavenger hunt, uncovering the ties that bind these modern heroines to their roots.

"Merida the Punk Rocker"

"Merida goes horseback riding every weekend with Angus (when she’s not being pestered by her brothers) and has an archery scholarship. Being the rebel she is, in this AU she discovers the world of british punk-rock. Mor’du is probably her favourite band, and though Merida’s mother always complains about it, Elinor is always humming the tunes the next day.'

"Snow White the Social Media Queen "

"Snow White, better known online as @poison_apple7, is a fashion blogger with a love for nature, vintage fashion and old movies. She is never seen without her iPhone, talking selfies with her roommates or posting her #ootd.

Snow quickly gained a large following because of her humble nature, how she would promote self-love and that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Though she tends to get into a lot of online drama with makeup guru, @therealevilqueen, Snow White is still the fairest of them all (at least according to their follower counts!)"

"Ariel the Anthropologist "

"Ever since she was little, Ariel knew she was going to be a marine biologist, just like her father. It wasn’t her dream, but she knew it made him happy. She even joined her school’s swim team, the Flounders for him. But after taking an Anthropology class in her freshman year, she knew she had to change her major.

Her sisters think it’s because of Eric, the cute T.A for the class, but that’s not true. Ariel loved studying humans and different cultures. It was just so fascinating learning about people, and she knew this was the world where she belonged.

She couldn’t wait to go someplace exciting on the annual anthropology trip; maybe get a souvenir for her collection! Her father wouldn’t be happy about it, but he’ll come around…. eventually."

"Pocahontas the Linguist '

"Pocahontas, with her love of languages and her heritage, works part time as a translator while studying Linguistics in college. She’s not all work though; Pocahontas is a bit of an adrenaline junkie and loves to go mountain hiking, kayak through dangerous rivers or go cliff diving!

Her dream is to work as cultural advisor in the film industry, making sure that Hollywood movies are respectful of other cultures and stay accurate to their source material. (Don’t worry, that raccoon tail on her bag is totally fake!)"

"Esmeralda the Ballet Dancer "

"As a child, Esmeralda has arrived in France as a refugee, but she has come a long way since then. She is the coryphée at a prestigious ballet company in Paris and has worked hard to get there despite the prejudice she faced along the way.

She has never forgotten her roots, which is why she’s always in the front lines for every pro-migrant protest and rally, volunteering at refuge camps or being an active member of the social justice community. Esmeralda loves Paris, but her favourite place in the whole city is definitely the beautiful Notre Dame."

"Mulan the Cadet "

"Mulan, hoping to follow her father’s footsteps, wanted to join the military school that he went to when he was young. The only problem? It’s all-boys. With the help of her gym trainer, Mushu, she secretly disguised herself as a man and enrolled.

Of course, she was eventually discovered, but Mulan had proven herself to be an excellent cadet and her actions led to the school opening its doors to female students the following year. Her father was proud, to say the least. Apart from being a total badass, Mulan’s favourite movie is She’s the Man. Obviously."

"Tiana the Entrepreneur "

"Tiana’s on the ‘25 most Successful People Under 25′ list for good reason; she’s one of the youngest restaurant owners in the world, with wildly popular Tiana’s Palace cafe’s scattered all over the country. Her cafe’s are famous for her fantastic family recipes, beignets, and weekly jazz shows."

"Belle the Fangirl "

"Belle is a still a bookworm and loves well-written characters; but in this AU she’s also obssessed with TV shows and movies. She’ll stay up till 4am reading fanfics, or bingewatching Game of Thrones. Obviously she has a tumblr where she fangirls constantly, (but she won’t tell you her URL!)"

"Jasmine the Travel Blogger "

"Jasmine is a travel blogger, exploring the world and immersing herself in different cultures. While she loves going to new places, one of her favourite parts of the trip is always looking out the plane window, while soaring through an endless diamond sky. She is also studying to be veterinarian, and is a devoted animal rights activist. Jasmine, of course, has five cats (and counting!)"

"Jane the Artist "

"Jane Porter had just graduated from Central St. Martins with a scientific illustration degree when her father surprised her with an incredible opportunity. He wanted Jane to assist him in his research of African gorillas in the Congo rainforest for the rest of the year.

It was one thing to spend your weekends sketching animals at the zoo, but to leave her life in London and go the the dangerous depths of the jungle where she’d be face-to-face with ferocious beasts and the possibility of being lost forever and who knows what else… It was reckless and dangerous, to say the least. She couldn’t wait."

Anoosha’s project is more than just a series of illustrations; it’s a celebration of evolution and homage to heritage, a whimsical concoction of what was and what could be.

It encourages us to see beyond the confines of time and place, reminding us that the essence of these characters—bravery, ambition, kindness—transcends the boundaries of their stories to inspire new generations.

Damjan