KALBLUT chats to queer and proud Instagrammer/cowboy curator Davi – a singular title like Madonna, Cher and Rihanna but with more muscles, more tattoos and more bodysuits combined with discussing issues on combating racism, staying authentic and finding confidence in loving and accepting who you are. Both inside and out. [Whispers] It’s Davi, bitch! The interview is taken from our #Pride Issue.
SCARF BY CHANEL
TOP BY HOMO
GLOVE BY PRTTYBOI
UNDERWEAR BY MANSTORE
TROUSERS BY CHEMA DIAZ
Photography + Creative Direction: Karl Slater @slaterkarl
Stylist + Words: Lewis Robert Cameron @lrcfashionstylist
Grooming: Sogol Ravi @sogolmakeup
Model: Davi @itzjustdavi
BELT BY VERSACE
BEADED SKULL CAP BY RECLAIMED VINTAGE
TOP BY HOMO
Hi Davi, tell us a little about yourself and what brought you to London?
Ooh about myself, I am just a queer man making his way through this world. I’m in London quite often, I love the city, the energy, it’s always good for me. One of my dearest friends lives in London also so I visit and hang out with her a lot. Especially during the summertime [wink wink]. London has fashion, art culture music and youth tribes, it’s a whole vibe.
This issue of KALBLUT is our Pride issue, when we look at you we see a strong, proud, queer, black man. Have you always felt this way?
Confidence, for me, comes from within. I didn’t get to experience trying to find confidence, I moved out from home at age 15 and I had to have the confidence to survive. Any insecurities had to be put aside. I have to be confident and strong and be a voice for all those queer black kids who don’t have anyone to look up to.
FACEMASK BY DIESEL
BRACES BY TOPMAN
GLOVES BY PRTTYBOI
BELT BY VERSACE
CHAPS BY ASOS DESIGN
UNDERWEAR BY ASHLEY CHARLES BURR
FOOTWEAR BY BUFFALO
Personally, I think that’s a major important element in the LGBTQIA+ community. Not everyone is strong and not everyone should be expected to be, I do think that continuing my journey and staying true to who I am will definitely show queer black kids out there that you can be beautiful and confident regardless of what society “expects” of you. Some people may be intimidated by confident queer people, but you either spend your life for others or for yourself.
Have you ever felt that you have to look or act a certain way as a black queer person?
No, I do my own thing, I don’t really fit in any boxes, I am like a wild-card I think the queer community sometimes “tries” to say how one should look, act, think or feel and that’s not something I’ve ever fallen into. I’ve always done my own thing, and I consider myself queer because I am artistic and I relate way more to queer people and I think in that respect ones’ race is irrelevant.
GLOVES BY PRTTYBOI
BODYSUIT BY PUBLIC DESIRE
CHOKER BY RECLAIMED VINTAGE
BELT BY DIOR
Have you felt you’ve had to overcome any issues of racism and homophobia within the fashion industry?
I’ve always been into fashion, but I never really truly pursued it because I was an athlete; football player, the goal was to go pro, but art just kept finding its way into my brain, and I knew it was a sign. I’ve only been immersed in the fashion scene for the last two years. So this is just a very beautiful beginning for me.
Thankfully I think the fashion industry is changing, I am relatively new to the fashion industry so I haven’t fully experienced anything as far as homophobia or racism but I know it exists and it happens. I’m grateful that things are changing so now I can explore the industry being my true self and feeling 100% accepted.
Have you ever felt fetishized by the queer community?
I’m black, tatted and muscular so yes, in some people’s words I’m a walking “fantasy”. It’s constantly BBC or a thug or a prisoner or whatever bullshit that these racist gays have to come up with. Like I’ve said, I am very thick-skinned so I can handle a lot of shit, you can’t help ignorant people, you can try but they’ll stay ignorant regardless.
How do these experiences make you feel?
I feel sad certain people can’t look at others and find them beautiful, they have to go off a fetish or a fantasy. It makes me sad for people who want to be truly loved and loved for who they
are, not for their race or whatever comes with that.
What advice would you give to young black artists/ creatives looking to be more visible online?
Be authentic! Do not compare yourself to others! Post your art! Post what you want! Hashtags lol! Do collabs! Reach out to other artists! Make sure others tag you! Post your authentic art, stand out, don’t do what everyone else is doing.
SCARF BY LOUIS VUITTON
EARRING &OTHERSTORIES
NECKLACE BY RECLAIMED VINTAGE
TOP BY BEYOND MAN APPAREL
BELT BY VERSACE
BEADED SKULL CAP BY RECLAIMED VINTAGE
TOP BY HOMO
UNDERWEAR BY VERSACE
GLOVES & DENIM CHAPS BY PRTTYBOI
What have you learned about yourself from creating your own online identity?
I think as individuals we are constantly learning about ourselves. I will say that as I get older my artistic mind expands, which is nice because I love showing the variety that I curate online, most recently my queer cowboy content for example. I want to inspire people and excite people with my content. Take people on a little tour of my mind.
Read the full interview here:
