Diana Chire

Diana Chire - the girl with the Bowie tattoo. And spookily enough our shoot falls on Bowie's birthday too. We meet the performance artist and feminist zine founder in a basement flat in East London (neighbour: comedian Noel Fielding). Our conversation about dry January and parties didn't quite make it into the interview, but we promise it was every bit as fascinating as our Miss January. Meet Diana Chire...

Hi Diana - thank you so much for being our Miss January. What's your personal style in 3 words?

Depends on mood.

When and were do you feel most inspired?

Travelling alone. I love walking round new cities and listening to my Spotify playlists.

What's the best advice you've been given but completely ignored?

That I should be more patient! I'm not very patient, but i think it's actually good as I always get work done.

A book that changed your life?

Nan Goldin's A Ballad of Sexual Dependancy. There's something about her work that always stays with you. I have never seen photography like hers.

Best fashion memory?

When I had a shaved head! I loved wearing beautiful dresses and the contrast was fun.

Best artistic memory?

I got to direct my first film. We shot entirely in the Sahara desert last year. We were in the middle of nowhere for a week with a small crew. It felt like we were the only people on the planet.

If you weren't in London, where would you be?

New York. I'd love to move there in the next couple of years.

You are the editor of the arts newspaper - She-Zine. Tell us a little bit about why you started the publication.

I love the DIY nature of making a zine. Anything from the Riot Grrl movement - I have always been obsessed with. I just wanted to create something inspired by them. She-Zine is about celebrating female artists and creatives. We've interviewed some great women, including recently Gillian Wearing, Chantal Joffe and Rachel Whiteread.

What's next for Diana Chire?

My short film Loulwa is premiering next month. It's about a girl lost in the Sahara desert. I'm also working on a film later this year that I'll be directing and starring in. It's set in 18th century England, about two friends who are stuck in limbo and trying to escape.

Finally a question we ask all of our Preen Line girls - what are the top 3 tracks on your playlists right now?

St Vincent - Los Angeles

Broncho - Stay Loose

David Bowie - John, I'm Only Dancing

Discover more from Diana on Instagram - @dianachire

Photography by the amazing Eva K. Salvi - @evaksalvi

Don't forget to follow @preenline on Instagram