Ballet is a woman

Ballet is a woman

by marlies|dekkers

‘Ballet is woman’ choreographer George Balanchine once famously said. And indeed, seemingly effortless and light, ballet takes a tremendous amount of will and strength to perform; a truly feminine combination. Originally taught to Italian noblemen and women at extravagant Renaissance parties – the name ‘ballet’ comes from the Italian word for dancing: ballare – it crystalized into the romantic, yet highly technical dance we now know as ‘classical ballet’ during the Romantic period of the late 19th century. At the time, the female ideal was fairy-like and ethereal, hence the cursed princesses and sylphs of ballets like Swan Lake and Giselle. Seen through today’s eyes, it’s easy to dismiss these characters as symbols of female suppression. But don’t be fooled by the pink tutus and soft, fluid movements! In a culture where women have traditionally been discouraged from taking up too much space, ballerinas have always done the opposite, filling the stage with their emotional and physical presence, wowing the audience with their virtuosity and sheer power. (Anyone who’s ever danced en pointe knows the near inhuman effort it takes to merely stay upright!). Yes, some of the traditional ballet narratives could definitely do with a feminist make-over, and we cannot wait for ballerinas like Misty Copeland and Michaela DePrince to start writing their own choreographies. But for now, we enjoy ballet for what it is and always has been: a showcase for fierce, feminine grace.

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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!’.