Who is Kelly Dabbah?

A late bloomer! I was born and raised in Switzerland but both of my parents were born in the Middle East. I have three crazy sisters and they all live in Switzerland. I decided to move to NYC five years ago to intern for Chanel. While interning, I decided to apply to my dream school, Parsons School of Design. A year later, I got in and quickly moved back to NYC to learn about fashion design.

Since I was a kid, I have always been painting, sketching and drawing. I was kind of a loner and I would spend my free time painting on silk, making pottery and taking private drawing classes. I wasn’t very social. I spent all of my time with my mom, but that changed pretty quickly. It took me some time to pursue my dreams as I graduated from a business school in Switzerland, where I learned everything about management, but felt incomplete from putting my art to the side. Today, I am very grateful for my experience because I learned both the business and creative side of creating something new. I believe everything happens for a reason and at the right time. I would describe myself as versatile. I have a lot of interest in art, fashion, and design but there is a part of me that is very driven by the business aspect.

It is always amazing to meet other roaring women using their art to engage voice and power! How would you say that your art is speaking? What message is it giving to women and the world?

I feel my art can be quirky, sexual, feminine, humorous, and even a bit ironic. I like mixing bold and vibrant colors that represent the feminine and the masculine sides. I love using red, orange, pink, yellow (feminine) and black (masculine). It’s a balance that everyone has within. Additionally, my art includes a lot of women’s curves, as I was raised by strong women, and that upbringing had a strong impact on the way I see and create. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman’s body. But I also hope that my art speaks not only to women, but men as well. I feel that my art can be perceived in many different ways and that, to me, is what is the most interesting. Overall, there is a strength or an aggressive touch that can be translated by the choice of colors and the shapes. Both are vivid, strong and bold. Those aspects are important to me as they represent the modern woman. Women are powerful, self-confident and independent. Subconsciously I feel this is what it represents.

Have you always been an artist or is it something you have cultivated more in adulthood?

I have always been sketching in classes and drawing since a young age. I felt good while doing it, it was very natural for me. My mother used to tell me that I should apply to Central Saint Martins, which was my dream school. In fact, it still is. But I got a bit scared and decided to follow a more conservative path by attending a business school in Switzerland. However, I knew deep down that I would end up, at some point, mixing my business side with my creative side. Now, I try to cultivate my art as much as I can, but I’ve realized how tricky it is because creativity doesn’t come on demand. It is very unstable. You have to be ready to embrace it.

What would you say to a young creative that is wanting to be a full-time Artist, but doesn't know where to begin?

I guess you need to be prepared to have ups and downs. As I said above, creativity is very unstable, it doesn’t come all the time, it comes and goes. For me, the hardest part is the consistency. It is good to have a back-up plan, but at the same time I would say just go for it. Nothing is better than when you fully invest your time and energy into something you love. Trust your vision.

How does your family narrative and culture come through in your work? Does it help you feel connected to your roots?

Women and music definitely come through in my work. My family loves music and I feel that part of my work is deeply influenced by what I listened to when I was young. My sister was a dancer and my dad is still a big rock and roll fan, mostly music from the 60’s. He took us to every concert he could find.

What comes up for you when you hear the word power? Share about a time that really taught you to step into your own power.

For me, power means confidence, which is the hardest thing to learn because you are the only one who is able to control it. Each time that I remind myself that I am the designer of my own life, it gives me power and instant motivation.

If you could give a message to your younger self, what would you want her to know?

If you were born a creative, you can’t fight it. It means you will always be a creative and it is a blessing and there is nothing you can do about it. You might as well accept yourself and explore every aspect of it.

Thank you for roaring with us Kelly! What is one thing you want to remind women of today?

You can be smart AND sexy.

Kelly Dabbah is a new Swiss/Middle Eastern artist who is creating a new expression of graphic art through a camp aesthetic that playfully blends the digital world with the physical. She creates uncharted harmonies where nature, cityscapes and femininity meet through digital prints on skateboards, and fabric collages on silk and porcelain. She recently added her work to an interactive art experience in New York City at SHOWFIELDS, “the most interesting store in the world.”

Dabbah’s work can also be seen at The Artpark in Miami Design District and soon at the Delano Hotel.

I Am The Designer Of My Own Life - Interview With Kelly Dabbah