digital magazine spring | summer 2020
“Dare to dre am bolder.” inspired by
AMELIA
EARHART
Aviator - military green (l) plunge balcony bra & high waist briefs (r) plunge balcony body
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CONTENTS
SPRING I SUMMER
2020
inspired by
A m elia E a r h a rt
10.
Amelia Earhart ~ the flying feminist Amelia and I
Female Fouders Day
14.
44.
My couture collection
09.
Dare to dream bolder
06.
My style collection
18.
16.
40.
Bombastic Fantastic
Space
THE FINAL FRONTIER FOR FEMINISM?
Wanderlust
38.
Mother's Day
Interview
Interview
20.
32.
H E L E E N VA N R O Y E N
24.
Women's Day
Learn how to F.L.Y.
M I K I A G R A WA L
28.
Valentine's Day
“ we ar yo u r feminin e feminism as a badge of h on or.” — Marlies Dekkers
All my work as a feminist designer is inspired by muses. Powerful female icons from past and present. Although women have been marginalized 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.
dare to dream
Are you ready for takeoff? You better be, because this season, we will reach for the stars with feminist hero of flight Amelia Earhart. By flying solo across the Atlantic in 1932, this pioneering aviator showed women worldwide that the sky is NOT the limit. Standing defiantly on the wing of her plane in her jodhpurs, leather jacket and lace-up boots, Amelia exuded both grit and grace. She personified freedom. And she gave us something we had been craving for a long time: our own, swashbuckling heroine.
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“...decide... whether or n ot the goal is worth the risks in volved. if it is... stop worrying.” — Amelia Earhart
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“ Wom en , like m en , sh o u ld try to do th e im possib le. An d wh en th e y fail , th eir failu re m ust b e a ch allen ge to oth ers.” — Amelia Earhart
She became a star as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932, and a legend when she disappeared without a trace in 1937. But what made Amelia Earhart a feminist hero was the way she showed women worldwide that the sky is NOT the limit.
The flying feminist - A mel i a Ea rh a r t Amelia was born in Atchison, Kansas on
an air show: “As soon as I left the ground, I
July 24, 1897, a time ‘when girls were still
knew I myself had to fly.”
girls’, as Amelia wrote in her biography ‘The Fun of It’. Her parents, however,
But Amelia had to earn her wings: “Some
stimulated her love of adventure, and
of us have great runways already built for
when the lanky, grey-eyed girl wasn’t
us. If you have one, take off. But if you don’t
climbing trees or hunting rats with a .22
have one, grab a shovel and build one for
rifle, she was working on her scrapbook of
yourself!”. She chopped off her hair and
newspaper cuttings about accomplished
took several jobs, from photographer to
women. She took a car mechanics
truck driver, till she had earned enough
course, volunteered at a military hospital,
money for flying lessons from pioneer
but didn’t find her true calling until, at age
female aviator Anita “Neta” Snook.
23, she took a 10-minute plane ride during
READ MORE
AV I AT O R
military green This season, celebrate Amelia Earhart’s heroic spirit and unapologetic style with my spectacular Aviator collection, inspired by the iconic, badass bomber jacket. Show that you are a lover AND a fighter in a classic, battleready combination of shiny sage green with a bright orange lining. Detachable sleeves and ribbed details, referring to the signature bomber collar, give these pieces a rebel edge. Thanks to the eye-popping patches, you can - quite literally - wear your feminine feminism as a badge of honor! Slip into my Aviator Collection and reach for the stars! plunge balcony body
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I have been called ‘crazy’ many times in my life. When I rejected my parents’ expectations to become a housewife. (“You’re deluded.”). When I applied for a prestigious art school. (“You’re crazy.”). When I decided to start a lingerie brand, designed completely from a woman’s point of view (“Who wants that?”). And they were right: what I wanted was often batshit crazy. But it seemed even crazier NOT to do it. If you want to be the pilot of your own destiny, you have no choice. You face the empty sky and fly off into the unknown.
Amelia I
- Da re t o d re a m big ger a nd bolder Amelia Earhart wanted to be the first
she would say afterwards. Growing up,
woman to fly solo across the Atlantic
Amelia was my swashbuckling heroine.
Ocean in 1932. They called her crazy and
Standing defiantly on the wing of her
reckless. She shrugged them off with
plane in her jodhpurs, leather jacket and
her gap-toothed smile and did it anyway.
lace-up boots, Amelia was equal parts
“Everyone has oceans to fly, if they have
Pipi Longstocking and Marlene Dietrich.
the heart to do it. Is it reckless? Maybe.
She exuded both grit and grace. She
But what do dreams know of boundaries?”,
personified the freedom I craved.
READ MORE
“ face th e em pt y sky & fly off into th e u n kn own.” — Marlies Dekkers
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From the cockpit to the streets to the runway; no other item of clothing has meant so much to so many different people, from pilots to punks to proud feminine feminists. A brief history of the badass bomber jacket.
fantastic The
bomber
as we know it today -
lightweight,
zip-up,
fitted waist - was an invention
of
planes
jacket
the
jet
age. The heavy leather flight jackets worn by Amelia Earhart and her generation of aviation pioneers were perfect for propeller airplanes and already had that
“it will n e ver b e limited by gen der , age or st yle.” — Marlies Dekkers
could
fly
at
much higher altitudes and wet leather jackets would literally freeze in the cold temperatures. Besides, they were too bulky for the streamlined jet cockpits. A sleeker, lighter, cotton version was manufactured with a fur collar: the godfather of our beloved bomber
iconic ‘cool factor’ (to
jacket. After World War
give hers a ‘properly
II, nylon became the
veteran
fabric of choice and
appearance’,
Amelia would sleep in her jacket a few
the fur collar was replace by a knitted,
nights before wearing it). But with the
elastic collar (allowing more space for a
launch of the jet aircraft in the 1930s,
parachute harness).
READ MORE
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DAME D E PA R I S
sand & golden lurex This season, follow your bliss like aviator Amelia in my Dame de Paris collection. I selected a sandy brown fabric with a subtle gold lurex sparkle that flatters any skin tone. To highlight your beautiful curves I added sensual straps that refer to the arches of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, that glorious bridge to the stars. A propeller-shaped talisman decorates the center of your dĂŠcolletĂŠ like your personal medal of pride.
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More than a
Phe no me non - Heleen va n R oyen -
Dutch bestselling author Heleen van Royen is the Amelia Earhart of writing: thrill-seeking, groundbreaking, not afraid to risk it all. On top of that, Heleen loves to cause a stir. So much so, that it sometimes overshadows the brave message of her work. Time to put a spotlight on the artist behind the phenomenon. Marlies: Heleen, this will be
your art is so layered and
interesting; interviewing one
nuanced! Let’s talk about
of my dearest friends.
your bestselling debut novel
Heleen: (laughs) I know! Very curious to see how it works out. Marlies: Well, today, I would like to focus on you as an artist. You know that I have always been a great fan. Heleen: I do. As a matter of fact, you were one of the first people to really
“as lon g as I can m ake art o ut of it, it h as a pu rpose for m e.” — Heleen van Royen
The Happy Housewife. You used many autobiographical elements in it, like your own postpartum depression and psychosis. Heleen: People who have lived through a psychosis are rarely able to write about it. I felt it was hugely important to share that experience.
believe in me. Marlies: When I asked you Marlies: I admire how you
as a friend what it was like
break taboos for a very
of controversy, which can at
for you, your answers were
broad audience, using your-
times cloud people’s judge-
always pretty vague. Yet
self and your own experi-
ment of you as an artist.
you were able to write about
ences. Whether it’s a selfie
There seems to be no mid-
such a great book about it.
show or a sex diary, your
dle ground: you are either
Can you explain that pro-
work always has an element
for or against Heleen. Yet
cess to me?
READ MORE
GLORIA sky blue
This season, channel Amelia’s masculine style with a feminine twist in my formidable Gloria collection. I combined a checkered pattern in heavenly pastel blue with
dashing
menswear
details. Macho suspender straps and sexy faux-leather touches give your décolleté a power boost and turn your bum into a cheeky eyecatcher. Man, it’s good to be a woman!
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For over a century, March 8 has marked a special day for women across the world - and this year's International Women's Day promises to be extra epic!
Well done, all you fabulous feminists! To celebrate our achievements and support all the strong women that made it happen, I have designed an exclusive collection of badass feminine feminist t-shirts. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to charity. This way, you can look HOT and feel great about giving back at the same time! Not to mention that you'll be spreading some feminist power every single time you wear one of these awesome shirts.
joyful statements! c
c l a s s i c T - s hci r t t lass shir ic T T c -shi i rt lass
Are you a feminist who loves to celebrate her femininity? Then meet your new wardrobe staple: a classic crewneck t-shirt with a joyful statement. Made from the softest cotton and featuring relaxed short sleeves. You may never want to take it off! Sexism sucks! Rock this sleeveless, mesh ‘power tee’ to make a strong, stylish statement. Featuring a contrasting neck trim and a gently curved hem. The ‘No sexism’ banner right over your chest is a playful nod to your right to celebrate your sensuality without being slut shamed for it.
power tee!
Feminine Feminism meets athleisure chic! It’s all good in da hood
sleevel
ess T-sh irt
when you throw on this statement-making short sleeve hoodie in versatile grey. For easy layering, we ditched the sleeves. A roomy front pocket and a drawstring hood give you that sporty/sexy edge. But it’s the oversiz
ter ed swea
sporty and ! e g d e y x e s
Feminine Feminist slogan that will set you apart as the coolest lady on the block!
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THE ART O F LOV E bijou blue
plunge balcony bra 4 cm thong
Turn your body into a garden of earthly delights with my Art of Love collection. A spectacular play of lines frames your curves and creates a delicious contrast between your skin and the luxurious fabric. And doesn’t the mesmerizing black and blue pattern remind you of the endless nighttime sky? Dare to discover new erogenous zones!
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Whether you are single or not, celebrate this Valentine’s Day by starting a life-long romance... with yourself! To learn how to F.L.Y. (First Love Yourself), let’s get inspired by aviator Amelia Earhart, who was as brave in love as she was in the sky.
learn how to “In our life together, I shall not hold you to
antee to endure at all the confinements of
any medieval code of faithfulness to me, nor
even an attractive cage,” Amelia explained
shall I consider myself bound to you simi-
to George in the same letter. One thing
larly.” Aviator Amelia Earhart wrote these
was clear: even in a commitment like mar-
words in a letter to her husband-to-be,
riage, even with the love of her life, Amelia
George Putnam, on the morning of their
would follow her heart, not his. A radical
wedding. Did she love George? Very much!
form of self-love that actually secured the
But Amelia loved herself too much to give
success of their relationship. Life may be
up her life to become a wife. And so, the
no fairytale, but Amelia and George - with
world’s most famous female aviator said
the necessary ups and downs and extra-
yes to marriage, but on HER terms. They
marital affairs- did live happily ever after.
would not ‘interfere with the other’s work
and supportive parents; they spoon-fed
or play’, and she demanded - and offered
me self-love. But as soon as I went out
- sexual freedom. She also insisted on
into the ‘big world’, I realized I was an ex-
keeping a place where she could go to be
ception. Most people were suffering from
herself now and then. “For I cannot guar-
a lack of self-esteem.
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“ lovin g yo u rself isn ’ t vanit y it ’ s sanit y!.” — Marlies Dekkers
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Dare to skydive into love in push up bra 5 cm briefs
my spectacular orange Freefall collection. For this sleek, super-flattering
design
I
chose the smoothest fabric in a warm, kumquat hue that makes any skin tone glow. A dazzling composition of straps above the cups, held together by gilded ‘LOVE’ tags, refers to the thrill of falling in love. Are you ready to jump?
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“I m ay fall b ut i’ ll h ave a soft l an din g. I kn ow i’ ll b e ok ay.” — Miki Agrawal
Re vela tion - M i k i A g r awa l -
From period underwear and pee-proof panties to an affordable, portable bidet; Miki Agrawal invents products that disrupt society while streamlining people’s lives. Initially ridiculed, the companies she founded now have a collective value of over $150 million. With her new book ‘DISRUPT-HER’, the bad-ass mover and shaker has written a rallying cry for women to radically question the status quo. I talked with Miki about her drives and dreams (and our shared disgust for the use of dry, abrasive toilet paper). Marlies: Miki, you started several companies
when we were walking around. Growing up,
that all break taboos. With THINX (period un-
we were already unorthodox.
derwear), ICON (incontinence underwear) and Tushy (an affordable bidet attachment) you
Marlies: When you grow up being different,
are fighting the taboos of, respectively, women
you tend to look at things differently; I can very
bleeding, peeing and pooping. How did you de-
much relate to that. It’s easier for us to have a
velop this drive?
fresh perspective.
Miki: I see breaking taboos as a necessity.
Miki: Absolutely. Whenever my parents felt
I’m half Japanese and half Indian. My father
that something was missing in our society
came from India with five dollars in his pocket.
and community, they would not complain,
My mother came from Japan barely speak-
but simply create it themselves. For exam-
ing English. In 1974, against all odds they fell
ple, with no experience and a limited budget,
in love. They decided to choose each other
they started Montreal’s first summer camp
instead of satiating their parents’ desire for
for gifted children. It ran for 15 years with
them to marry their own kind. In their own
around 500 kids. When they realized that
way, they were disruptive. When my twin sis-
electronics was going to be the future, my
ter and I were born in 1979, interracial mar-
parents created these beautiful educational
riages weren’t very common yet, especially
electronics kits for children.
not in Montreal. People always looked at us
READ MORE
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S PAC E ODYSSEY fiery red
Throw caution to the wind in my stunning, fiery red Space Odyssey collection. To put the spotlight on your steamy beauty, I decorated this timeless design with graphic straps and eye-catching ornaments, inspired by spaceships, at the center and apexes of the bra. Inspired by Amelia’s love of risk I decpush up bra 4 cm thong
orated the straps with hazard tape stripes and ‘caution’ warnings marking your body as the red hot danger zone it is. Dangerous curves ahead!
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SKY HIGH blue & silver
This season, soar above the clouds with my Sky High collection in the brightest of blue. For a stylish and sexy contrast, I selected a gorgeous, sky-blue fabric and defined the edges with sparkly silver piping. And don’t you just love the 3-bar silver insignia on the straps? Show the world that you are the pilot of your own destiny!
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Wander lust
As soon as I held my newborn daughter Zilver in my arms, I realized that I had been given a hugely important task: to give her wings. So, I raised her using the exact same motto with which I design all my lingerie: dare to dream, dare to grow, dare to be. And I never stopped using my own wings to fly, traveling the world to make my dreams come true. Because I believed that being ‘more than a mother’ was the best way to teach by example. But what did Zilver think of having a mother with wanderlust?
Marlies: When you were little, I was away a
how I would sometimes try to clean the
lot on business trips. But whenever I could, I
house before you came home, so you
would bring you with me. We had some crazy
would be extra happy to be back? But I
trips; do you remember my store opening
somehow realized, even at an early age,
in Bangkok where you and I performed as
that traveling was a big part of who you are.
majorettes?
I accepted and respected that. And it now
Zilver: (laughs) Oh, I do! I was 7 years old.
is a big part of who I am myself, hence the
And how about that safari in South-Africa?
‘wanderlust’ tattoo I got recently! When
I was convinced we were going to crash
did your ‘wanderlust’ actually start?
somewhere on the savannah in that tiny Cessna, and you slept through the entire
Marlies: We used to spend our summer
bumpy flight!
holidays on a camping in Spain where we would drive by car, passing through France
Marlies: (laughs) Well, I figured: there’s
during the night. When I was about 7 years
nothing I can do about it, right? How do you
old, I got it in my head that we would pass the
look back on that aspect of your childhood?
Eiffel Tower, so I stayed up, afraid to miss it. Of
Zilver: To be honest, I did miss you a lot
course, my parents didn’t drive through Paris
when you were away. Do you remember
and I was devastated I didn’t get to see it!
READ MORE
Even though we make up almost 50% of the world’s population, less than 11 percent of history’s space explorers have been women. Yes, the glass ceiling between earth and orbit is all too real. Luckily, it looks like the latest generation of feisty ‘fly girls’ is about to smash it. It seemed so promising: over
In this male-dominated world,
prisingly, men wouldn’t have
half a century ago, the for-
women have always looked
it. Even Amelia Earhart, one
midable Russian astronaut
up at the sky with longing
of the world’s finest pilots,
Valentina Tereshkova Rus-
and hope. From Victorian
had to deal with prejudices
sia was the first woman to
scientist Ada Lovelace who
against the so-called ‘weaker
be sent into space, just
sex’. ‘During the menstru-
2 years after Yuri Gaga-
al period women tend to
rin became the first hu-
become emotionally up-
man in space. But as the investment in space exploration grew, so did the gender gap. It would take nearly 20 years for another woman to follow in Valentina’s footsteps. And when the third fe-
“ WILL ALIEN S ACTUALLY THIN K THIS IS ALL TH ERE IS TO H U M ANIT Y?”
set and it is believed that several aircraft accidents have been due to this cause,’ an army handbook from the 1930s warned. And while a number of American women underwent the astronaut selection process in the early
male candidate, Ameri-
1960s - and passed - they
can astronaut Sally Ride,
could not become astro-
was about to be launched
invented a steam-powered
nauts because they had to be
into space in 1983, the press
airplane at only 12 years old
military test pilots, a career
asked her whether she would
to the flying feminists of
not available to women at the
cry if things went wrong on
the Roaring Twenties; flight
time. The message was clear:
the job.
meant freedom. And, not sur-
space was a man’s world.
READ MORE
THE FINAL FRONTIER FOR FEMINISM? Space Odyssey - shining blue & silver push up bra & 4 cm thong
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S PAC E ODYSSEY
shining blue & silver Celebrate your wanderlust in my gorgeous Space Odyssey collection. The Nileblue lurex fabric has a subtle shine and a silver sparkle, while graphic straps frame your beautiful curves. And push up bra 4 cm thong
because you are a woman with a mission, I added eyecatching, spaceship-inspired ornaments. Believe me, you will radiate star quality.
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SWING LE T ’S ’S OTHE R E AC H TO LE RS L E P O PR SE T THO R A T S JUMP UNDED O F E L FEMA SSES! E N I S BU
female founder day’ s E M P OW E R . CO N N E CT. S U P P O RT.
- L et's celebr at e t he fem a le ent repreneu r i a l spi r it ! -
As a feminist and a female
a 35% higher return on in-
crush the patriarchy. We have
founder, I couldn’t be more
vestment
all-male
to get organized. That’s why
psyched about the rise and
teams. It’s a fact: female
I came up with the Female
influence of female entrepre-
founders have greater suc-
Founder Days: an annual
neurs. Whether you’re think-
cesses - and fewer failures
opportunity to fight gender
ing about starting your own
- than their male counter-
inequality while celebrating
company, are busy building
parts. So, why is there still a
the female entrepreneurial
your name, or are already a
dizzying gender gap when it
spirit. Over the course of a
seasoned CEO; you are fol-
comes to both income and
week, we will empower, con-
lowing your dream, and I
capital funding? (Only 15% of
nect and support each other
applaud you for it! Besides,
all funding is allocated to fe-
during special events like our
the numbers keep proving
male founders). Let’s face it,
Female Founders Lunch.
that women may have busi-
we are being held back. And
There will be opportunities
ness ‘in their blood’. A recent
time’s up. To quote Gloria
to win rewards and score
study among 350 compa-
Steinem: ‘We will never solve
exclusive Female Founders
nies showed that for every
the inequality of power until
Days products. Plans will be
dollar of investment raised,
we solve the masculinity of
made, dreams will be given
female-run startups gener-
wealth’. Merely applauding
wings. Will I see you there?
ated 78 cents in revenue,
each other isn’t enough. We
whereas male-run startups
have to reach out, lift each
THAT OPPORTUNITY?
generated only 31 cents.
other up and fly together. We
TAKE IT!
Other research found that
have to build a network of
THAT BUSINESS? FOUND IT!
women-led teams achieved
badass business babes and
THAT DREAM? LIVE IT!
than
Spread the message!
Now this is what I call a statement bag! Designed exclusively to celebrate our Female Founder Days, this it-tote has something to say. Spread a message of female empowerment while looking like a million bucks. Get this shoulder-candy with slogans when you order our gorgeous Space Odyssey set in shiny blue and silver. GET T H IS W H E N YO U O R D E R O U R S PAC E O DY S S E Y SET!
“adventu re is worth while in itself.” — Amelia Earhart
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W I NG P OW E R black & sand
Give wings to your desires in push up bra butterfly thong
my striking Wing Power collection. In a streamlined play of reveal and conceal, I overlaid a nude base with opulent black fishnet lace, then added contrasting black bandage-style strapping. Wrapping around your curves and dramatically framing the cups, the broad straps catch the eye like jet streaks across the sky. Let your imagination take flight!ality.
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