Glued to the tube

Glued to the tube

by Marlies Dekkers
Olivia, Carrie, Lagertha and Maya, all main characters in todays hit series and also the reason why I have lately spend all my weekends in front of the TV. But what is it about these leading ladies of todays hit series which makes them so popular.

The new generation leading ladies…I just can’t get enough of them solving scandals, challenging authorities, fighting battles and outsmarting criminals. I have spent so many hours with these ladies I feel like they are my new partners in crime. But why is it that I and millions of viewers just can’t get enough of these female powerhouses?

For the ones that don’t know;-) I am quite interested in woman, their role in society and how this changes over time. Because of this I know that the history of media is filled with examples of boring female clichés. For decades we’ve been overloaded by stories starring:

a) women behind men,
b) girls next door,
c) ladies looking for Mr. Right,
d) a combination of the above

Basically we’ve been sedated by an uninspiring parade of women who supposedly needed men to be saved. And of course I love some male attention, but I am a strong believer of gender equality, instead of stereotyping women in supporting their prince charming in his dreams.

But given the popularity of today’s on screen successes like Scandal, Homeland and Vikings, it seems the turnaround has started! These leading ladies of today are all women who act independent. and if you ask me… another step to gender equality. #femalesforward

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fall|winter 20 preview

Marlies Says

fall|winter 20 preview

by marlies|dekkers

In January, I presented my newest FW20 collection during a show full of dance and entertainment in Rotterdam. All my work as a feminist designer is inspired by muses, powerful female icons from past and present. And for FW20, my muse will be crime writer Agatha Christie. A few months from now, you will get to discover the collections, and see how they tell stories like Agatha’s thrilling books do..

Running for your life

MD Friends

Running for your life

by marlies|dekkers

Dr. Bram Bakker is a psychiatrist, a writer, a runner and a provocateur. With his many bestselling books and columns – and yes, even his own theatre show – he urges us to think outside the box when it comes to our mental health. Not crazy about popping pills? Bram shared some interesting alternatives with me, from throwing out our phones to running ‘till we puke’.

Peas & peppers instead of pills

MD Friends

Peas & peppers instead of pills

by marlies|dekkers

General practitioner Tamara de Weijer believes that we would feel a lot better if we hit the produce stand before we visited the pharmacy. “On a massive scale, we have been putting the wrong kind of fuel in our bodies.”

Singles Day – You’ve Got this!

Marlies Says

Singles Day – You’ve Got this!

by marlies|dekkers

All the single ladies, listen up! With single women rapidly becoming the majority, it is high time to stop feeling singled out. This Singles Day, let’s celebrate our freedom and independence by sharing all those solo milestones that make us go: ‘You’ve got this!’.