“I was born a bitch, I was born a painter”

by marlies|dekkers

This season, I celebrate the colorful life and art of Frida Kahlo, Mexican painter, selfie-queen avant la lettre and original bad-ass Feminine Feminist. With her paintings, Frida liberated feminine themes of identity, sexuality and fertility from their stigma. With her insatiable lust for life, she still encourages generations of women to shamelessly express themselves.

It was love at first sight, the first time I saw Frida Kahlo with her stubborn brows and voluptuous flowers. After that, during every phase of my life, Frida was there, pushing me to celebrate my uniqueness, urging me to CREATE, no matter what! For this issue of FEMININE/FEMINIST, I followed Frida’s spirit all the way to Mexico City and immersed myself in her colorful world. To find out what Frida was really like, I had an exclusive interview with the woman who was there when Frida’s bathroom filled with personal treasures was opened after more than 50 years: Hilda Trujillo, director of the Casa Azul in Mexico City.

Closer to home, I talked to a number of fearless feminine feminists who -like Frida- love and create with abandon. To name but a few: German opera superstar Nadja Michael, the embodiment of the highest level of expression and shoe designer Ruthie Davis, who turned out to be just like the amazing shoes she designs for Beyoncé and Lady Gaga: daring, empowering and totally fabulous. I also interviewed Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley, known as the Hemsley Sisters, who started a culinary wellness revolution. After all, isn’t cooking a beautiful and important way to express yourself?

The message is clear: whatever your talents or interests are, whether you’re born a bitch, a painter or a chef, express yourself! Exactly 25 years ago, I started marlies|dekkers with a dream: to make lingerie that empowers women. With my designs, I wanted to give women the confidence to explore my motto: Dare to dream, dare to grow, dare to be. Looking back, together with the people that played a pivotal role in my career, I can proudly say that I’ve come a long way. But I’m not done yet! Like Frida once famously said: ‘I don’t paint dreams, I paint my own reality’. Well, I will never stop dreaming, and I will never stop striving to make those dreams reality. And along the way, Frida will be looking over my shoulder.

‘Viva la vida!’ Dare to celebrate life, now! — Marlies Dekkers

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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!’.