Q: Thank you for joining me to talk about Ludovica Martire (@ludovicamartire_madeinpain). It's been so wonderful getting to know all the fabulous and driven women behind the Skirt Club Boutique, and the ideas behind their alluring designs. Ludovica, where is your company based and where did you get your start?
A: My company is based in Rome, Italy. I’ve been in fashion for over 10 years, starting as a shoe designer, and then working many years as an embroiderer. Leather crafting is my biggest passion and where all my skills come together for my brand.
Ludovica Martire
Q: What drove you to start your company? Where were you working before you started working for yourself?
A: I started doing leather bdsm pieces for some friends, and was inspired to combine that work with embroidery to create something unique in the field. I officially started the company when my long-time friend, Petrana Colesanti, believed in and invested in me and my work. But I’ve worked in many different places and have learned something from each of them.
Q: That’s interesting. What else have you learned? For example, if I wanted to start my own business, what advice would you give me?
A: First of all, you have to build a strong “inner world” to show to others, so you always have something truly yours to say, or you’ll end up just copying and following trends. You should also have a lot of money to invest, because as l used to say: “No money, no party!” It may not be “artistic” to admit, but a brand needs to be sold, otherwise you can’t live on it. Last thing is to personally complete every single piece you design because that will save money and time, and your work will be exactly as you intended.
Q: You've said before that you're all about creating a "forbidden bdsm-boudoir allure." How do you get people to talk about something that is typically taboo, like bdsm?
A: Actually, it’s not about getting people to talk about it. It’s about making people think of it themselves by suggesting the idea and creating the atmosphere.
Q: Feminism is one of Skirt Club's core principles. Does that mean anything to you? What does it mean to be a woman?
A: Well, my grandmother in the 1940s was a manager and was known as Mrs. Mister! So I come from a family of very independent and free women, and l am naturally a feminist! To describe what it means to be a woman, for me, is similar to describing God. There is no official or proper answer. We all have heard what a woman is “not allowed to be” or what a woman is “not supposed to do,” and the Patriarchy has made us completely lose our sense of self. I love to think our true selves are close to nature, beautiful, somewhat secret, and flirt with being creative and destructive at the same time, both nurturing others and also being wild and free.
Q: What do you love about Skirt Club?
A: It was love at first sight with Skirt Club! We loved the atmosphere, your elegant and soft erotism. That is something that only women can achieve.
Q: I absolutely love the danger and magic behind your designs. I particularly wish I had the Salome Choker in my wardrobe. How did you come up with that design?
A: It is actually part of a much bigger design, made up of 3 leather stripes for each arm, then connected with chains to the Salomè Choker. It was a very old sketch that I made. The danger and the magic you feel comes from my passion for esoterism, magic and horror movies and novels. Also, did you know Salomè asked for the head of a man as a gift?
Salomè Choker
Q: Oh my word. I need to read up on that. And get me that choker. :) Thank you for a lovely and illuminating chat. xxx
Shop Ludovica Martire
A: My company is based in Rome, Italy. I’ve been in fashion for over 10 years, starting as a shoe designer, and then working many years as an embroiderer. Leather crafting is my biggest passion and where all my skills come together for my brand.
Ludovica MartireQ: What drove you to start your company? Where were you working before you started working for yourself?
A: I started doing leather bdsm pieces for some friends, and was inspired to combine that work with embroidery to create something unique in the field. I officially started the company when my long-time friend, Petrana Colesanti, believed in and invested in me and my work. But I’ve worked in many different places and have learned something from each of them.
Q: That’s interesting. What else have you learned? For example, if I wanted to start my own business, what advice would you give me?
A: First of all, you have to build a strong “inner world” to show to others, so you always have something truly yours to say, or you’ll end up just copying and following trends. You should also have a lot of money to invest, because as l used to say: “No money, no party!” It may not be “artistic” to admit, but a brand needs to be sold, otherwise you can’t live on it. Last thing is to personally complete every single piece you design because that will save money and time, and your work will be exactly as you intended.
Q: You've said before that you're all about creating a "forbidden bdsm-boudoir allure." How do you get people to talk about something that is typically taboo, like bdsm?
A: Actually, it’s not about getting people to talk about it. It’s about making people think of it themselves by suggesting the idea and creating the atmosphere.
Q: Feminism is one of Skirt Club's core principles. Does that mean anything to you? What does it mean to be a woman?
A: Well, my grandmother in the 1940s was a manager and was known as Mrs. Mister! So I come from a family of very independent and free women, and l am naturally a feminist! To describe what it means to be a woman, for me, is similar to describing God. There is no official or proper answer. We all have heard what a woman is “not allowed to be” or what a woman is “not supposed to do,” and the Patriarchy has made us completely lose our sense of self. I love to think our true selves are close to nature, beautiful, somewhat secret, and flirt with being creative and destructive at the same time, both nurturing others and also being wild and free.
Q: What do you love about Skirt Club?
A: It was love at first sight with Skirt Club! We loved the atmosphere, your elegant and soft erotism. That is something that only women can achieve.
Q: I absolutely love the danger and magic behind your designs. I particularly wish I had the Salome Choker in my wardrobe. How did you come up with that design?
A: It is actually part of a much bigger design, made up of 3 leather stripes for each arm, then connected with chains to the Salomè Choker. It was a very old sketch that I made. The danger and the magic you feel comes from my passion for esoterism, magic and horror movies and novels. Also, did you know Salomè asked for the head of a man as a gift?
Salomè Choker Q: Oh my word. I need to read up on that. And get me that choker. :) Thank you for a lovely and illuminating chat. xxx
Shop Ludovica Martire