The Joy of Colour with Anubis Finch
My drag form is rebellious. It’s the idea of being disruptive through colour and noise.
Anubis Finch
Singer, actor, comedian, and self-proclaimed “fashion nightmare”, Anubis Finch is an explosion of colour and creativity. Shooting to stardom as one of the youngest contestants on Season Three’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, the Brighton-born performer has become a creative force to be reckoned with. We caught up with Anubis to find out more about her rebellious spirit, her biggest artistic influences, and how she uses colour and drag to break boundaries.
What does self-expression mean to you?
Self-expression to me is wearing and performing whatever I feel like on that day. Whether that’s through colour, music or theatre, it changes and varies depending on the day and my mood. But in its entirety, self-expression is rebellion against the norm.
How do you best express yourself/your identity?
I think fashion, style and art is the way that I allow myself to be feminine and rebellious. It’s my older self telling my younger self that it’s ok to be all those things and be celebrated for it.
What advice would you give to someone who is struggling to express themselves in a way that feels authentic to their sense of self?
Do whatever you want. Try new things. Go against the grain and make people talk. My favourite thing about my drag and performances is making people question the idea of beauty. What does it mean to be beautiful? Challenge your own ideas of beauty by being bold and daring.
How do you use colour to express yourself?
Colour defines my style. It defines my drag. It defines my mood. I always gravitate towards really bright colours. It’s the hot pinks, the neon greens, the fluorescent yellows. Basically, everything that clashes and doesn’t really work. I love putting together an outfit that is a bit of an eye-sore (!).
Colour defines my style. It defines my drag. It defines my mood.
Anubis Finch
How would you describe your drag form?
My drag form is rebellious. It’s the idea of destruction and being disruptive through colour and noise.
How has drag performing enabled you to play around with - and break - boundaries?
Drag has allowed me to do things my younger self couldn’t have dreamt of doing, such as touring across the globe, meeting my idols and fighting gender norms just by putting some lipstick on. Drag allows me to feel free and beautiful on days when I might not feel that out of drag.
What’s your favourite drag look you’ve created and why?
I really enjoyed my fruit runway on RuPaul’s drag race UK. I was inspired by Leigh Bowery, the New York City club kid icon, and the look was very well received across social media after the airing of the episode. I also have a special place in my heart for my Drag Race FINALE look as it was inspired by my Egyptian heritage and was the most expensive garment I owned at the time.
Who or what inspires your drag?
I am massively inspired by the likes of Lady Gaga, Alan Carr and Iris Apfel. I take inspiration from a lot of different things, including music icons and stand-up comedians, but it really could be from the most obscure things too. I once did an entire look based around a Squid but I also have created 4 minute-long performance numbers about whipped cream.
Who or what have been your biggest artistic influences?
When I was younger, I used to take huge inspiration from Disney villains and Lady Gaga. That hasn’t necessarily changed to this day but I am now hugely inspired by niche fashion references, 60s jazz singers and the punk rebellion movement.
If you were a Lick colour palette, what would you be?
It would have to be Red 01, Yellow 03, Purple 08 and Blue 19!
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And finally, what is one thing you’d love to raise awareness of?
Currently, an issue I’m passionate about and that I feel needs to be addressed is Trans rights. Media coverage is incredibly damaging at the moment and people’s lives and well-being should never be up for debate. Please continue to support all of your gender-questioning friends. March with us. Stand with us. And use your voice!
You can follow Anubis' Instagram for a daily dose of colour and show-stopping outfits. And if Anubis' infectious outlook on life has inspired you to go big and bold with your interiors, read our interview with designer Jack. D. March in his maximalist home for some serious decor inspiration.