SHANE MACGOWAN:
A LEGACY BEYOND IRELAND.

Shane MacGowan was an Irish singer and songwriter best known as the frontman of The Pogues. Celebrated for his raw, poetic lyrics and distinctive voice, he blended traditional Irish music with punk energy, creating songs that captured both grit and emotion. This project is a visual rebrand of Shane MacGowan’s official website and online store. The aim is to craft a unified, revitalised identity that honours Shane’s legacy while remaining flexible enough to extend seamlessly across the website, merchandise, and the wider business.

INSIGHT:

Just as his cigarette left its mark wherever he went, so did Shane MacGowan, leaving an unforgettable imprint on Irish music and on the hearts of those who loved him. Inspired by the raw fire and jagged edges of his life, this visual identity captures a man of fierce emotion who lived and created straight from the heart.

VISUAL METHAPHOR:

Cigarette burn / ash mark as a symbol of impact and imperfection.

T-SHIRTS FOR THE BROKEN, 
BRILLIANT AND BARELY STANDING.

Those who knew Shane or followed his work will recognise his raw, heartfelt spirit rooted in the rebellious energy of Irish punk. This carries into the shop page, imagined as his chaotic apartment in a hand-drawn style inspired by Shane himself. Every object is clickable, blending merchandise with humour and language that reflects his voice — because a merch shop should feel as absurd as it is true to him.

THE LEGACY LIVES ON.

This identity could evolve in unruly, unexpected ways — from a limited-edition amber-smoke whiskey or brandy with punk, rebellious packaging, to a guitar body finished in the same cigarette-amber glow. A genuine burn mark could become the signature across artwork, book covers, vinyl, and even jagged bottle designs, making beautiful destruction part of the brand’s DNA.