“That's So Raven” Costume Designer on the Show's Sartorial Significance 20 Years Later

If in 2003, you could look into the future, then you’d probably see that the fashion on That's So Raven would still be circulating. The Disney Channel original series, almost 20 years later continues to sit as a sartorial leader in the cultural zeitgeist. As we rage deeper into our Y2K renaissance, shows like That’s So Raven continue to serve as style inspiration for the masses. 

The series starring actress Raven-Symoné premiered January 17, 2003, and for many young watchers, their exploration of fashion and penchant for personal style was ignited. Beyond the fact that this series was the first of its kind — making history as the first Disney show to have 100 episodes — its costume designers managed to create a space for fashion lovers everywhere to rejoice in colorful, explorative fashion that wasn’t solely on a size zero body. 

Nancy Butts Martin knew she was joining something special when she came on to the series during its fourth season. She remembers being brought in to help merge Raven Baxter’s style from teen girl to an almost young adult navigating working in fashion. Thinking back to the early 2000s, Martin shares that outside of her fashion research, the inspiration behind Raven’s boastful wardrobe was Raven’s character.  

“I love [Raven’s character] because she's herself and she's so strong inside of her skin,” Martin says. “She's very creative, an artist and a painter. So I don't look outside of her character too often for inspiration.”

Martin developed a strong relationship with Raven-Symoné during the series and now works closely on Disney Channel’s reboot series, Raven’s Home. 

“I literally love having the responsibility to read a script that's just written words and help make it come to life,” Martin says. “I don't think about influencing people, I just really think about making these characters look great in the scenes and in the script. That to me is the fun part, just creating the looks and the clothes for all of the characters on the show. It'll never get old for me. Like I said 30 years later, I'm still doing it.”

And now 20 years after the show's premiere, fans are still set on recreating some of the iconic looks from the series. If you’ve ever found yourself attempting to create a Raven Baxter original, then you’ll be intrigued to know that most of the looks from the series were just that, an original.

“Everything we do is either purchased, I design it, or we rent it,” Martin says. “But I usually would change the pieces that I purchase. I'll change a collar, I'll actually put three items together to make it into one. Like if I liked the sleeves of this, I like the body of this or I want to put a piece of another item there I’ll do it. That's the fun thing that we get to do. And we do that the most. We literally change everything. So even if it's a pair of pants, I might put, you know, a stripe down it. We just like to add to it because Raven Baxter, who she is, likes to add a little flair to everything.”

This alone plays a part in why Raven’s clothes were so complex in its creation. The series’ fashion holds a tight grip on what it means to express yourself. Raven Baxter’s larger than life personality intertwined perfectly with her larger than life outfits. 

“Now it’s so fun to go on Instagram and see people finding the original piece from the show and they're like, ‘oh my gosh, she dyed this,’ or ‘she changed that,’” Martin continues. “It's really awesome when they actually figure it out. And to me you know if you're watching a show on Disney, you know the color and what you're seeing is a vital part of the script. It's part of the allure of watching the show. It keeps your attention, whether you're an adult or a kid. So that's what I always had in mind when I was designing for That’s So Raven.”

26-year-old content creator, Amber Richardson recalls her love for That’s So Raven because of its fashion and family unit. She notes that obviously as a child, she didn’t realize how important the series’ representation was, but looking back, to see a Black family together with a Black supernatural lead was so incredibly important. Moreover, the show gave her a great example of what it means to be a young Black woman unabashedly afraid to be herself. 

“I definitely looked up to Raven fashion-wise because a lot of people were afraid to push the boundaries at that time. I feel like for teenage girls, at least,” Amber says. “[Raven Baxter’s] style is how a lot of people dress now. I see a lot of Raven Baxter’s outfits when I'm scrolling on TikTok, especially with the resurgence of Y2K. I feel like it was only natural to see that happen, but also the fact that people know her enough to recreate her looks despite the fact that this show has been off the air for years is insane. In 2023, we're still talking about her style, like this show had such a cultural impact.”

If you scroll down your timeline during any point in the last few years, you’re destined to see the infamous cowl neck slip dress Raven-Symoné wore in an episode that focused on Raven Baxter’s body. This episode alone held space and conversation about size diversity and how important it is to be able to exist at whatever size you are. Without knowing it, That’s So Raven became a show rivaling fashion’s consistent push that a size zero is the only body deserving of style. And while actors have often been instructed to fit a sample size, Martin strived to make sure that was never a discussion or topic on the That’s So Raven set.

“It doesn't matter what size you are, you deserve to look fabulous, you can look stylish and you can be creative,” Martin continues. “I do a ton of kids' shows and I will never let that be an issue. Whatever size you are, we'll make you look fabulous. And you should get to feel great about yourself. I want kids to be proud of who they are, and how they dress. And I want them to trust the way they want to dress. And that's why I've always been so proud of That’s So Raven and Raven [Symoné], because she just owns it.”

24-year-old content creator Ariam understands firsthand how important it is to own your style at any size. The influencer focuses heavily on fashion content and even leans heavily on Y2K fashion for inspiration. Shows like That’s So Raven and Lizzie McGuire continue to inspire her style. She notes how old shows we watched as kids can also serve as great style references when figuring out how you want to dress. 

“It's very iconic that That’s So Raven is still making this level of impact,” she says. “It is a hard thing to pull off, staying relevant, and for the series to still be so popular by the masses is insane. Style wise, shows like That’s So Raven and Lizzie McGuire are a great place to start when finding your personal style. Looking back to when you were younger, and finding the things you maybe weren’t able to wear then is important. It’s the easiest place to learn from because I feel like it can be overwhelming, especially if you're anywhere in the mid to plus-size range. Mid and plus-size people have been taught that you only have places like Lane Bryant, Macy’s, or whatever it is to shop. These very generic stores that yes, they carry plus sizes, but they don't carry things that resonate with you fully.”

Unequivocally, the fashion on That’s So Raven continues to sit as a pillar of self expression. Style is meant to serve as a first respondent of identity. Raven Baxter’s style in its time on television helped a slew of young people figure out who they wanted to be outwardly. And now, 20 years later, it continues to serve the same purpose. 

“I'm so proud that people are still watching and still looking towards the fashion on the show,” Martin says. “I even watch the show and I can remember the stories of putting some pieces together and I'm just amazed that it's still out there. I recently walked into a store and saw an exact piece from That’s So Raven and I remember thinking, ‘wow, it's still alive.’ 20 years later, and it's still having its influence. Fashion is historical, and you know, it recycles itself. Every 20 years, the same thing comes back. But that show had a huge impact and I can still see it today. I'm just really proud of being a small part of such an important show. Like that was an honor.”

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