29 - Madame Dabi

Authenticity. It's a topic that has been floating around my thoughts and conversations lately.

What does it mean to be authentic? What does it mean to be yourself? I have always wondered how much of myself is actually authentic and how much of myself is a product of trying to fit myself into a box most of my life.

Pursuing my own authenticity, I've realised that I shouldn't over think it too much. But what I should do is  prioritize play, creativity, love, and honesty. By pursuing these principles in my life I will be authentically myself.

An area I have been cultivating authenticity is with my sexuality. Growing up in a conservative Christian environment, I had a very negative view of sex and sexuality. There wasn't a lot of room to think about sex in a fun and playful way that can lead to personal empowerment and fulfillment. I had a very restrictive view of sexuality and felt uncomfortable, and slightly jealous, when others seemed to be more comfortable in their skin and more expressive.

I admired people who seemed to be more honest and really wondered why I had such a hard time with self-expression. I'm still on the journey of opening myself up more and working past restrictive beliefs. One artist that I have found on my journey is Madame Dabi.

Madame Dabi is an Italian illustrator whose erotic themes ooze playful sexual femininity. When I came across her work, I had the experience of being faced with my own sexuality. There was immediate discomfort followed by grace and then curiosity, intrigue and admiration. Feminine sexuality is powerful and Madame Dabi's work captures that power in a fun and charming way.

How do you normally describe your art to other people? 

I don't know if it's right to talk about art, but for now I define myself simply as an illustrator. If I had to describe my work to other people I would say that I try to create a world of escape, vintage and decorative beauty. My idea is to recreate the Boudoir of the past, a private treasure chest, full of beautiful things and full of sensuality. I try to combine the 20s and rococo aesthetics with the desire to talk about current issues related to women such as emancipation and sexual freedom.

The Welcame

How did Paris influence you to create Madame Dabi?

I have always been in love with Paris, especially its art history.

I am passionate about vintage and in Paris I had the opportunity to see many objects from the past up close and I started collecting them. In particular, I started collecting French magazines from the past and I tried to draw like the illustrators I saw in those pages.

Les Caprices

What inspires you about the 1920s, 30s, and the Baroque period?

The Baroque style was very popular in the 1920s, in fact many artists and designers are inspired by the 17th century.

I believe my love for Baroque aesthetics is cultural, in Italy and in particular in Naples, the city where I was born and studied, it permeates everything: architecture, art and literature. My love for the 20s and 30s was born when I was studying art history at university.

I believe that what inspires me most, in addition to the Decò aesthetic, is the modernity of the historical and cultural changes of that period, the current events of that period: sexual freedom, the challenge to traditional social norms, the economic independence of women and the new concept of femininity are still valid topics in the contemporary world.

If we just think about the aesthetics of the "flappers" we find revolutionary choices: short skirts or men's clothing, excessive makeup and evenings spent dancing in clubs. In those years many women rejected the traditional roles imposed by society, drank, smoked, drove, became aviators and lived in open sexuality for the first time in history... a true revolution!

L'impertinent

Is there anything that you are challenging yourself with currently? 

This is a period of challenges and choices for me on a personal level and also for my work. I am trying to apply my aesthetic ideas to other areas, such as furniture, fabrics and small animation projects. I would also like to be able to document this evolution of my work step by step and be able to tell it  through social media.

Ready for the ball

Are there any people in particular that have influenced your style or art?

Many artists have influenced my artistic style, also directors, costume designers, painters, illustrators, stylists and photographers.

I'll name just a few: Piero Tosi, Fellini, Thierry Mugler, John Galliano, Helmut Newton, Gerda Wagner, and Erté.

Adore you

How do you approach working on a new illustration?

Usually it all starts from a small detail and then I create the whole composition. I study every single element and then I create the complete illustration.

Eau Rose

How do you find inspiration?

It's usually a natural process, everything can inspire me: looking at an object, during a walk, looking at flowers or at the cinema.

If I'm short of ideas I have my selection of art or fashion catalogs also another infallible method is to take a break from everything, especially social media and visit beautiful places and museums.

Champagne Slave

What advice would you give to other artists?

The same advice I give myself every day: be yourself, give your best, work to be impeccable, never stop learning and don't be afraid to change if that's what makes you feel good.

Champagne Rose

What are you currently working on?

I bought a house far from the city, with all the flowers around and the right space to work on large-scale works.

I would like to be able to make this space a sort of 3D transposition of the illustrations I create, curating  every detail of the space.

Sweet Cage

Find Madame Dabi on Instragram @madame_dabi