Design Origin: The MANY African species of Gorgonopsids. They aren't based on one specific species, Braidread can represent the smaller species like Aelurosaurus or Lycaenops. And Gorgoloc represents the larger species like Inostrencevia while also representing Rubidgea, Dinogorgon, or hell Gorgonops itself

The line is based on the mythical monsters they share a name with, the Gorgons. In fact, that's how the line gets its ice type. Gorgons, we're known to be able to turn men to stone(freezing them in place). This line does that but freezing prey in blocks of Ice.

The hair these pokemon have are based on braids and dreadlocks, which are very popular hair styles associated with African/African-American culture. This is a nod to the now widespread depictions of Gorgonopsid being the first to evolve hair(though admittedly, we have no proof of this)