A Genderless Vision of Lingerie: In Conversation with ‘Full of Desire’ Co-Founder Guillermo Seis

By Miruna Tiberiu 

Guillermo Seis is a Mexico-born, Vienna-based UI/UX designer and co-founder of the innovative fashion collective Full of Desire, which seeks to break binaries and champion a vision of lingerie as a transformative experience for anyone to explore. Built from the personal lack that Seis felt in his own journey towards understanding his relationship to gender and sexuality, Full of Desire has become nothing short of a phenomenon, amassing a community forged by sex-positivity, education, and self-experimentation. Editor-in-chief Miruna Tiberiu sits down with Seis to discuss his electrifying project.

FOD lingerie line. Photography by Morizt Franz. Modelled by AENGL. MUA by Marietta Dang and hairstyling by Sunny Jana.

Miruna Tiberiu: Your creative projects are so multifaceted; you’re a web designer whilst being passionate about breaking new ground in fashion, as shown by the gender-inclusive lingerie line ‘Full of Desire’ which you co-founded. How would you describe yourself as an artist?

Guillermo Seis: I’ve always felt that my creativity is more than just a skill. It’s a compass that has guided me throughout my life, helping me navigate the world we live in. During high school, I consistently stood out through my crafts, particularly in paper expositions; we didn’t have much technology back then, so most of my projects were very analogue. When I turned 16, a teacher at my school selected a couple of peers and me to create the school’s first editorial magazine. She taught me how to use Corel, Photoshop, and basic photography skills. I feel she was the main reason I pursued a career in design, and I am extremely grateful to her for mentoring me all those years. I learned design through YouTube and sought opportunities with local editorials and newspapers in Tabasco. I also experimented with photography, creating small editorials inspired by VOGUE. I know it sounds a bit cliché, but after watching The Devil Wears Prada (2006), I was truly inspired to become a fashion editor.

In the past decade, working as a UI/UX designer, I’ve had the privilege of working in various industries such as healthcare, renewable energy, and diversity and inclusion. These experiences have broadened my horizons and motivated me to create impact through my work. My creativity thrives on purpose; I seek projects or jobs that not only challenge me but also contribute positively to the world. Lately, my work has also been very personal. Through self-reflection, I’ve discovered new areas of my creativity. Although the journey of trying something new was scary, I felt confident that my diverse experience and thinking would help me on this new journey as a fashion designer or lingerist.

Guillermo Seis, co-founder of ‘Full of Desire’. Courtesy of the artist.

MT: How did your journey with ‘Full of Desire’ begin?

GS: FOD traces back to 2022. During a session with my therapist, I faced a crucial question about my identity. Was I being true to myself, or was I wearing a mask to fit into society’s norms and expectations? I couldn’t stop thinking about this issue, and as I got deeper into it, I noticed a lack of sophisticated, romantic, and feminine choices for those like me who desired more than what was available. It wasn’t an overnight revelation, but gradually, FOD’s vision came to me: a community to challenge conventional views on gender and sexuality through the transformative power of lingerie.

Along this journey, Henrique (Brazil), Mariana (Mexico), and Max (Austria) joined the founding team, which has been incredibly important in shaping FOD into what it is today. Sure, the road hasn’t been easy. We’ve faced many challenges, such as navigating local business regulations when none of us spoke German fluently (besides Max, who recently joined), or dealing with people who may not understand or appreciate our message (like that time Meta blocked our Instagram ads account because someone reported it as a “pornographic site”), but through it all, we’ve discovered endless growth opportunities. You might think we’ve been around for ages, but in reality, we’re a small team with regular jobs, working during the weekends to make FOD happen, pouring our passion into creating a place where you feel you truly belong.

FOD lingerie line. Photography by Pascal Schrattenecker. Modelled by Christian.

MT: You mention that you were inspired by Vienna’s subcultural art scene when conceiving of ‘Full of Desire’. Would you be able to tell me a little more about what drew you to this scene? What does the queer arts scene in Vienna look like to you?

GS: When I moved to Vienna, I was immediately captivated by its distinctive style in design. Having been greatly influenced by the American design scene, I found Vienna’s aesthetic refreshingly different and profoundly inspiring.

While Paris had sparked some creative ideas in the past, none were as compelling as what I discovered in Vienna. I became deeply interested in exploring the works of contemporary Viennese artists such as Manuel Haring, Susanna Hofer, Max Artemis, and Pascal Schrattenecker. Their visions were minimal yet beautifully poetic and intriguing.

Much of my inspiration here also comes from the city’s rich historical movements, particularly Wiener Modernism and The Vienna Secession. I believe the current creative scene in Vienna still carries the influence of these movements, blending minimalist elements from Japanese art with intricate details seamlessly. This inspiring fusion has shaped my creative work as a lingerist.

FOD lingerie line. Photography by Pascal Schrattenecker. Modelled by Ikeme Emmanuel.

MT: What was the inspiration behind your powerful choice of brand name ‘Full of Desire’?

GS: When it comes to the brand name, we collaborated closely with a Mexican naming studio called “The Secret Name,” recommended by a friend of mine. During our collaboration session, the name “Full of Desire” emerged, and we found it brilliant. It effectively communicates that we all possess desires, both sexual and beyond, while the “desire” aspect relates to the lingerie’s ability to evoke feelings of love and longing. It’s a name that fosters a sense of community, and we can also play around with wordings like “Lingerie of Desire,” “Stories of Desire,” and so on.

MT: ‘Full of Desire’ is certainly more than a clothing brand; it feels imbued with life and care. What role does clothing, and more specifically, lingerie, play in your own self-expression and the process of becoming more in touch with your identity, be it in terms of gender expression or sexuality?

GS: Although there is an ongoing trend of using lingerie as street-style clothing, when it comes to my style, I often opt for a more understated appearance. I prefer minimalist, natural, and muted colours combined with a women’s top (during summer) and bandanas. Yet, behind closed doors, a different side of me emerges. I still recall the first time I tried on samples from my own lingerie line. It was like a revelation; I felt an exhilarating sense of power and desire. I could see how my ass was highlighted and my back was shaped in such a sensual way. For the first time in my life, I felt that I could seduce anyone I wanted. This brought a new sense of confidence. This newfound feeling ignited a desire to share it with others, inviting them to explore their own intimacy.

My experience has taught me that lingerie is a powerful tool for self-expression, whether used in the bedroom, as underwear, or as street-style clothing. For me, it’s not about conforming to a specific mold; rather, it’s about embracing what resonates with you, in whatever form that may take.

This journey of embracing my femininity has been nothing short of life-changing, it’s like finally stepping into my own skin and discovering a whole new world within myself. Now I feel a balance (yin and yang), between masculinity and femininity.

FOD lingerie line. Photography by Pascal Schrattenecker. Modelled by Giovanni Libro.

MT: What does your own process of choosing lingerie that empowers you look like?

GS: I find the process to be quite simple. I select lingerie that accentuates my body, knowing which areas I prefer, such as the chest or butt. When choosing lingerie, I consciously select items that enhance these parts of my body. I believe everyone should explore which areas of their body they feel best about and aim to highlight them. Of course, there are times when insecurities kick-in, but I’m confident that if something doesn’t feel right, it’s likely because it’s not the correct size.

MT: ‘Full of Desire’ is described as a ‘collective’, and indeed you feature on your website queer stories centred around sexual freedom, body positivity, and community-building. Do you see this pursuit for a ‘genderless’ vision of lingerie as part of a wider project towards forging a community through championing freedom of expression through clothing and sexuality beyond the rigidly-imposed societal gender binary?

GS: Absolutely! FOD is more than just a lingerie brand; it’s a space to challenge conventional views on gender, identity, and sexual wellness, dignifying any journey towards sexual exploration (when there is consent on all parties). Through our products and stories, we strive to build a community where individuals feel empowered to express themselves authentically, regardless of societal expectations. Ultimately, our goal is to promote acceptance and celebrate diversity.

To find out more about Seis’ creative visions, and embark on your own journey towards genderless lingerie, check out the Full of Desire website.

Miruna Tiberiu is the Editor-in-Chief of GAY45. She is a student at Cambridge University. Tiberiu has written for numerous publications, including The Cambridge Review of Books, and the Cambridge Language Collective. She is the co-founder and co-editor of Cambridge’s first all-queer magazine, Screeve. Tiberiu was longlisted for the International News Media Association (INMA)’s “30 Under 30” Awards 2023.

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