Females Forward

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how did your legend grow? So much more than just Elizabeth I’s older sister or the wicked ‘Bloody Mary’ who burned over 280 protestants at the stake, Mary Tudor (1516–1558) lived a life full of heartbreak, defiance and glorious triumph. Born the daughter of the notorious King Henry VIII and the Spanish Catherine of Aragon, the auburn-haired beauty grew up as a cultured Renaissance princess with a knack for languages and a passion for fashion.

She is mostly known as ‘that other Boleyn Girl’ or ‘the Mistress of Kings’. But I see Mary Boleyn (1499/1500 – 1543) as a woman who dared to defy all the rules to follow her heart. In other words, a historical heroine in her own right.

Tudor (1516–1558) lived a life full of heartbreak, defiance and glorious triumph. Born the daughter of the notorious King Henry VIII and the Spanish Catherine of Aragon, the auburn-haired beauty grew up as a cultured Renaissance princess with a knack for languages and a passion for fashion.

Crowned Queen of Scotland at only nine months of age, proud Mary Stuart (1542- 1587) was off to a flying start. A tall beauty with golden-red hair and bewitching hazel eyes, Mary was so charismatic, so brilliant with words that her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, refused to meet her during their lifetimes for fear of being overshadowed.

Was Jane Boleyn, aka Viscountess Rochford, a villain or a victim? One thing is certain: no other woman in the 16th century was as closely associated with as many dramatic events…

Of all the splendid performances in the movie ‘Elizabeth’ (1998), Fanny Ardant’s brief, but wickedly sexy portrayal of Mary of Guise is amongst my very favorites. In real life too, this French vixen may not have been as legendary as Elizabeth, but she was a feminist power house in her own right.

One of Frida’s most potent weapons was her style. The more she was suffering, the more elaborate and regal she would dress. And so, you could often find Frida laid up in bed in a spectacular headdress and extravagant jewelry, looking like a surrealist vision and a folkloric Mexican queen.

You may not think of Frida Kahlo as a typical gardener – can you imagine her in rubber boots? – but together with her beloved Diego she turned the garden of their ‘Casa Azul’ into a luscious paradise of locally sourced flora.

Frida didn’t just accept her ‘masculine’ look, she exaggerated and cultivated it! In one famous family photo, a young Frida wears a three-piece menswear suit with so much ‘swagger’ that one thing becomes clear: at just 17 years old, Frida already knew how fashion can transform you into a living work of art.

Of all the vibrant colors Frida used in her paintings, blue conveyed her deepest emotions. “Cobalt blue is electricity and purity. It’s love,” the Mexican painter wrote in her journal.

As a child, polio crippled Frida’s right leg; as a teen, she was injured horrifically in a traffic accident. After that, Frida’s health would continue to deteriorate, causing her unbearable pain and forcing her to wear corsets for the rest of her life.

On October 18th Marlies Dekkers and her FEMININE/FEMINIST movement showed her signature collection and the latest collection inspired by the great Edith Head, during a distinctive Burlesque fashion show in downtown Los Angeles.

Some people call her the most important figure in the history of Hollywood costume design, to others she is the style maven who showed millions of women how to dress for success. But to me, Edith Head will always be the mistress of transformation. In the words of one of her star friends: “If Cinderella had Edith Head, she’d never have needed a Fairy Godmother.”

I’ll admit it, I’m a bit of an app-addict. With my phone being an extension of myself, the apps on it make me feel like I’ve got the world at my fingertips: from the weather to the stars (tip: try SkyView, it’s a hand-held planetarium!) to those hard-to-get Charlotte Olympia heels.

All my work as a feminist designer is inspired by muses. Powerful female icons from past and present. Although women have been marginalised for centuries, archetypes of female power have always been there. Through my designs, I bring them to you. To help us shape the world of modern day feminism.

Once upon a time, goddess Athena outsmarted Poseidon, god of the sea, and had the most desirable city of Ancient Greece named after her. Visiting this powerhouse of female energy turned out to be an epic journey…

Op 25 september 2015 zullen honderden ambitieuze zakenvrouwen aanwezig zijn bij het Marie Claire @Work Lifestyle Experience event.

Who run the world? GIRLS! To me, Dafne Schippers is a symbol of true female power.

Miranda is much more than my right hand. She has been making my (design) dreams come true for over 15 years. But what does she think of me?

“I want to create a whole new technology – one that is aimed at helping humanity at all levels regardless of geography or ethnicity or age or gender”. Maak kennis met Elizabeth Holmes.

Mark Zuckerbergs missie om miskramen te de-stigmatiseren door openlijk erover te praten heeft ons aan het denken gezet; Hoe vaak zien wij mannen die openlijk vrouwen steunen? Dat was zeker niet moeilijk te vinden en wij hebben zelfs een aantal perfecte voorbeelden!

Je weet waarschijnlijk wel dat ik een trotse feministe ben. Ik geloof in gelijke rechten voor mannen en vrouwen.

I love women who give convention the middle finger, especially when they do so in a creative, elegant way. Meet one of my heroes, Indian director-writer-producer Mira Nair.

This Wednesday the world celebrates Women’s Day. The theme this year: ‘Be bold for change’. I couldn’t agree more. Let’s do it!

Yes, Indian Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi is ridiculously sexy, but it’s her sass that makes me love her. That, and her awesome recipe for a vegetarian curry.

This Wonder Woman wears a sari, rides a ferocious tiger, and is a rape survivor. The message: there is no excuse for sexual violence. Ever.

To show or not to show, that’s the question when it comes to belly buttons. While Taylor Swift vowed to never (ever, ever!) show hers, Indian women feel very different about it.

I’ve told you before about my fascination with the leading ladies of today’s hit series. Now let me introduce you to my latest crush, Gothic sex goddess Vanessa Ives.

Can you be a feminist fashionista? Karl Lagerfeld certainly seemed to think so when he sent his models on the runway for Chanel’s spring summer collections.

Success never comes easy. There are down, and when you are lucky, many more ups. For me, following my dreams and trying build my brand never came easy. It wasn’t only the talent that brought me where I am today, but my dedication, focus and believe in myself.

A long-overdue correction in gender equality is at our doorsteps. A tipping-point in the history of women rests in our hands. This is our moment….

Writer, director, and feminist Lena Dunham was in town for her book tour. I have been a big Lena fan for quite some time, even before she was the well-known lady she is today.

In 2009 Anastacia and I had our first rendez-vous. I never expected we would meet up again 5 year later and have a personal talk about modern day feminism.

What’s currently on my nightstand? This shouldn’t come as a surprise; it’s a nasty gal! The book #Girlboss is the latest achievement of power house Sophia Amoruso.

Some women can inspire me in such a way that you can maybe even call it a little crush. Want to know which ladies have this effect on me? Follow my #WomanCrushWednesdays on Twitter.

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.