Raigen Brabham on fashion, creativity and fearless expression
Some people are drawn to the North Shore for its waves, others for its sunsets—but for Raigen Brabham, it’s the raw, untamed inspiration that turned a Texas tomboy into one of O’ahu’s rising creative forces.
Raigen is a model, stylist, creative director, and the visionary behind With All the Angels, a brand specializing in commercial, wardrobe, editorial, and personal styling.
She found her way to the North Shore a little over two years ago, bringing with her a mix of grit, grace, and undeniable creativity. “I was always a tomboy,” she shares, “but I would throw a fit if my mom tried to dress me in an outfit I didn’t like.”
Think of it this way—Raigen would go fishing with her dad, then shop her mom’s closet for her best fur jacket.
“I think I’ve always found self-expression in clothing. It’s only been until now that I’ve realized the depth and importance of it is not the case for everyone,” says Raigen.
That realization led her to styling and creative directing, working alongside friends and creatives she once admired from afar.
Enter With All the Angels—Raigen’s brand created with the intention of being completely in flow—a creative energy that feels otherworldly. “The name came to me during a random train of thought,” she explains. “Ideas and patterns and plans coming from somewhere that feels so beyond ‘me.’ I like to think they are with the angels—these ideas in their hands being molded with divinity before being handed down to me.”
One of Raigen’s favorite projects was for a creative shoot titled Dark Moments. “The photographer, Jesse Jennings, gave me complete freedom to bring my vision to life,” she says.
Inspired by Michele Lamy’s edgy style, Raigen leaned into her love for darker aesthetics. “Sometimes my ideas can scare off a photographer, but Jesse was open and encouraging. Looking back at the images, I’m still really proud of the stylistic choices.”
And then there are the full-circle moments: modeling for brands like Pura Vida, whose bracelets she loved as a middle schooler, or collaborating with her best friend and photographer, Cheyenne Doig. “We used to run around the North Shore taking photos just for fun. Now we pay our bills doing it.”
As someone who grew up in flat Texas, the North Shore is a source of endless inspiration for Raigen. The simple lifestyle and natural beauty—the way the light plays on the mountains—fuels her creative process.
“I lived in an off-grid tiny home when I first moved here,” she recalls. “I had so much fun living in this peaceful and isolated, glorified wooden box. I was able to spend so much time with myself…I had a small garden, and everything ran off propane gas and manual labor. It made me much more resilient and confident in my strength as a young woman.”
“The North Shore is like nothing I’ve experienced before. It is so small but it has opened my world up. It definitely took some time to become aware and comfortable,” Raigen admits. “But the feeling of ‘ohana is palpable. Friends become family. I feel that transitions into my work in the sense that we are all working the best we can, to live the best life we can.”
For Raigen, that means trusting her process and finding inspiration all around her.
“The connection with myself is the start. Then the connection of myself in relation to nature…I also find a lot of inspiration in the expression of others. I love to see someone do something so themselves that it’s unique.”
When reflecting on her evolving style, Raigen emphasizes the importance of embracing change. “As I change, my style changes. I’ve always looked back to the year before and could not relate to that girl at all.”
“The coolest, most beautiful, and creative version of me is exactly who I am at that time. Trying to be a version of me that I’m not usually ends up being pretty lame. The most beautiful and talented people I know are so themselves it inspires me to fearlessly be more me. But at the end of the day, boho chic until I die,” she laughs.
It’s this authenticity and confidence that fuels her creativity, and it’s no surprise that Raigen has some empowering advice for other young female creatives:
“Fake it until you make it, sista. If you can dream it, you have created it, and then you can have it. Say yes. Do the work. Listen to the advice of those you look up to, and ignore the rest. It’s on you to achieve, and that’s a great thing. You are capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for. Push past your own limits and you’ll find a higher version of yourself on the other side. Intensely believe in yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from others—this will also help you find the right people to be on your team. Furiously fight to learn, learn, learn!”
When she’s not dreaming up her next creative vision, you can find Raigen cuddling with her cat, surfing baby waves, or spending her life’s savings on a glass of wine at Turtle Bay with the girls (real). “Also probably Foodland,” she says.
Stay inspired and updated with Raigen’s work on Instagram @walltheangels, or online at www.walltheangels.com.
