FULL OF DESIRE

Sessions always involve a lot of laughter. I mean, it's ridiculous what I ask people to do.” DLLCOPE, a self-described “gatherer of bodies, brains, skin, and paint to make images and sounds”, is a Canadian-based artist creating raw diorama-inspired compositions of bodies, paint, and DIY props.

As Jack Handey famously wrote in his book Deep Thoughts: “One thing vampire children are taught is, never run with a wooden stake.” But jokes aside, our editorial for the final 2022 theme, FULL OF DESIRE, is here. We searched far and deep for the epitome of passion, quintessence of insatiable hunger, and undying lust. And who embodies everlasting, immortal cravings better than vampires? Have fun browsing, our little children of the night.

Everyone has a different way of tuning out from the bustle of daily life; Sawako Kabuki’s favourite outlet is drawing dozens of cheeky cheeks in every scene unimaginable. The animator and illustrator uses simple color contrasts and juxtaposed proportions for the process’ meditative effect, and this calmness resonates through the pieces despite the naughty subject matter.

Czech lingerie designer Karolína Černá's signature product are “crotchlessky”, or, as the name suggests, custom made-to-order lace crotchless underwear. Unsatisfied with the quality and the lack of non-vulgar and tasteful aesthetics in this particular niche lingerie field, Karolína set out to change the game.

“The nudity is not sexual, really. But it is physical, it is tangible.” Marie Tomanova’s intimate photographic vision has launched her into the international spotlight. In today’s feature, Marie discusses the experiences and inspirations informing her unique work, perspectives and recent book.

Céline Marie, a German designer with French roots, set out on her artistic journey with one major goal – to empower and embolden. Her idiosyncratic, intricate, and dreamy lingerie brand, HERVÉ, is dedicated to perfection and expressed by intimate detail. In the interview below, Marie offers an insight into the brand's backstory, passion, and motivation.

Having moved from the rigid world of tattoo art, Polish artist Izabella Wolf aka Devils Claws found her freedom in illustration and ceramic painting. Her works carry an air of mythical alchemism in a tribute to animism, her ancestors, and the wise women hunted both in the past and today. Let this feature spellbind you through Izabella’s creations and insightful commentary.

Custom-written for our current theme FULL OF DESIRE, Czech author Zuzana Trachtová presents a string of associative vignettes offering a glimpse into a heart-rending and organic trudge through a body and mind ravaged by heartbreak. Accompanied by illustrations by Eva Maceková. HE'S A DRUG, I'M A WITCH

In materializing her unique vision, Aoi Kotsuhiroi uses traditional Japanese sap lacquering methods as “layer after layer the color stratifies and intensifies, taking time, a time that registers to reveal infinite depths.” Answering in poetry and divulging only a glimpse of her creative process, the Paris-based contemporary artist’s feature transports us to an erotic sublimity.

The dreamy, fantasy-adjacent creations of French fashion designer Valeriane Venance invite the viewer into the parallel world of sage matriarchs, women often shunned throughout history. In an interview for SWARM Mag, Valeriane outlines what does “indépendantes de coeur” translate into for her, her inspiration journey, and how does one “sculpt a garment to perfectly marry someone's needs and desires.”

Polish artist Sebastian Janisiewicz explores in his 3D prints and art the realms and abs of hypermasculine furries and hairy bodies. Inspired by video games and online subcultures, with the perfect digitally-crafted pecs exhibited in physical spaces, his work transcends established notions of gender identity on a search for genuine connections with the beholder.

“Many are happy to open up, more than you’d expect, when treated with dignity.” Treat yourself to an interview with fashion designer Klara Marie Bliss, living and working between Prague and Antwerp, on choosing to pursue corsetry, approaching working with bodies, and the archetypes of feminine lingerie.

“The idea is to use the simple action of putting tights on and taking them off”. In exploring femininity through the symbol of nylons, Polish artist Pola Esther has started a project documenting women with (and without) this soft apparel to find a territory inbetween traditional domesticity and sexual fetishism.

“I like to present [the collection] as a retrospective of the belongings of a woman who doesn’t exist.” Fashion designer Gabrielle Huguenot, based in Switzerland, talked to SWARM Mag about her designing processes, childhood influences, and, first and foremost, the mysterious Snake Woman, Gabrielle's long-time imaginary Femme Fatale, for whom she created the newest Artificial Flowers Also Need Water collection.

The Netherlands-based animator Hannah Frogs’ eclectic style taps into our collective memories of gentle hues and images. Breathing life into her scenes and characters, these in turn recall a childhood nostalgia with a contemporary touch. Her inspirations and creative processes are as dreamy as her artworks – enter Hannah’s fantasy world with us

In her works, the Finnish designer Jenny Hytönen designs around the motif of bare skin reflecting a bared, vulnerable soul. Among these also is the Cyborg Bride, a piece including a flashing heartbeat sensor embedded among tens of thousands of beads, a literal heart on one’s sleeve. Today, Jenny goes into her inspirations, motives and desires to shed more light on her artistic process.

“Real events and feelings pass along its corridors, but, reflected in the mirror surfaces, they are distorted beyond recognition” is how Ohii Katya, the Rome-based Ukrainian sculptor and performance artist describes the labyrinth of affects her creations invite into. Enter today’s feature – a fantasy suspended between eroticism and abjection, emanating the smell of latex and burnt sugar.

Czech jeweller and goldsmith Antonie Lecher talks to SWARM Mag about how to put an emphasis on sustainability around precious materials, why is water her inspiring element and explains the roots of the newest Nacre collection reminiscent of structures found on coral reefs.

In overcoming the adverse effects of the male gaze on women’s self-perception, Stacie Ant uses her art to spin the pornification of female bodies into a grotesque commentary on human interactions in the digital era. In today’s interview, the artist discusses topics spanning representations of nudity, humor and hyperbole, and designing for the metaverse.

“Growing up, I had this fascination with courtisanes and (other) powerful women in history. I felt intrigued by the idea of their feminine power behind closed doors.” Meet Roos Boshart of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the founder of the GDDSS Studio, which combines luxurious handcrafted lingerie with conceptual experimental fashion. In an interview with SWARM Mag, Roos shares how she arrived at her current titillating creations, talks owning sensuality, and lays out her visions.