Words / Phil Gomez
Photos / Adriana Hamui
Bianca Siconolfi of Blackmamba isn’t just launching a new collection; she’s revealing a whole new world. Her latest, The Divine Descent, isn’t about clothes it’s about anointing the body, transforming it into a sacred space. This is Bianca’s altar, where the sacred and the sensual collide, where power practically drips from every stitch, and the female form becomes both a weapon and an object of worship. With The Divine Descent, Bianca boldly blurs the lines between heaven and the concrete jungle, crafting a fresh mythology for the modern woman one woven with rebellion, ritual, and resurrection. She’s here to talk about channeling the celestial in the everyday, finding beauty in contradiction, and discovering divinity in every descent.
Do you see fashion as a new kind of modern ritual?
I think it really depends on the point of view of the individual. Some people see fashion purely as a tool for outward communication, while others use it to express their philosophy, their ideals, their beliefs. Fashion exists for everyone to enjoy in their own way — as a ritual, a form of pleasure, and a way of expressing who they are.
A ritual, a ceremony… I don’t know if it’s something new; I believe it has existed ever since humanity began to dress itself. The only difference is that today, we can see it and feel it in a much more tangible way.
What was the first image or feeling that sparked this collection?
The first image that came to me was the soul. I wanted everyone to see what Blackmamba truly is from its most emotional side. Even though for many it feels new, Blackmamba has a long story — it began almost fifteen years ago, evolving from a niche, dark, almost gothic brand that crafted one-of-a-kind leather pieces, into what it is today. It’s been through many eras, and this collection felt like the perfect summary of everything I feel and everything I have to say as a designer. I wanted to show the soul.
Who is the “BLACKMAMBA woman”?
We are all the women who never felt like we fit inside the box society tries to sell us — the social conventions, the rules, the idea of what “beauty” is supposed to look like. Blackmamba is for women with emotional intelligence, who are both strong and sensitive, and who have no interest in pretending. They want to show themselves exactly as they are.
McQueen once said he wanted to dress the kind of woman who scares men when she walks into a room. I think the Blackmamba woman doesn’t inspire fear — she commands respect. She draws admiration. You can feel her confidence the moment she arrives.
If this collection had a signature scent what would that be?
It would smell like whisky and tobacco, with a touch of black pepper — mixed with something fresh, like mint or spearmint.
The show was described as a “postmodern ceremony.” What sensations did you want the audience to experience?
For me, it’s essential that people feel something during a show. I’m not interested in it being just “cool” or “beautiful.” When I think about a runway, I imagine a script — every character means something to me, and the casting is crucial. The feedback that moves me most is when someone says, “I got chills,” or “I cried.” I wanted the audience to feel pleasure, to question things, to leave reflecting on beauty, on religious symbols, on their childhood, and on their own identity.
You talk about reclaiming the body as both sacred and powerful — do you design more for the sinner, the saint, or a little bit of both?
I don’t believe in saints or sinners — I think we’re all human, here on this earth to enjoy every minute we’re given, learning and making mistakes along the way. Some will choose the path of love, and others won’t, but we all have the chance to leave our mark in this life. And I’ll always choose the ones who speak from love, not from hate.
Latin designers are shaking up global fashion — what’s the secret sauce that makes this new wave unstoppable?
I think our context and culture are completely different from those of other creative directors. For better or worse — with all the challenges and privileges that come with being Latin — we’re in a place where we no longer want to pretend, to fit in, or to deliver a hypocritical speech just to be accepted. Our authenticity makes us create from the soul, and that gives our work a unique power. The world is starting to notice — and they can’t look away.
If BLACKMAMBA were its own religion, what would be the first commandment?
Everyone is welcome to this religion — as long as they accept that the only commandment is love. There is no violence here, and there’s no place for hate.
