She came in colors

She came in colors

by marlies|dekkers

Like a rainbow scarab, Cleopatra came in colors. A multi-faceted woman – goddess, queen, mother, lover – her iridescent shades varied depending on the angle and point of view, always changing, always magnificent. A crisis leader pur sang, Cleopatra’s colors shone brightest during times of trouble. “Have faith, take courage,” she would tell her people, dazzling in gold and vivid green emeralds, her eyes painted blue like the shimmering Nile. Standing in the blazing sun, arms outstretched, Cleopatra would invoke the scarab-headed God of the Morning Sun Khepri. What better symbol of hope and rebirth?

After all, pushing the sun across the sky every dawn – like a beetle rolling a ball of dung – Khepri promises light after darkness, no matter how long and gloomy the night. I’m not surprised that Cleopatra is reaching out to us now, reminding us of our chance to be reborn, again and again. “In challenging times, dare to recreate yourself,” she urges us across many centuries and empires. “And you will shine brighter than ever, in your unique rainbow of brilliant colors.”

“In challenging times, dare to recreate yourself, And you will shine brighter than ever, in your unique rainbow of brilliant colors.”

Shop Rainbow Scarab

 

Most loved
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!’.