By guest writer Ramona Deckers: Spijkers en Spijkers surely did their name justice, as they absolutely ‘nailed’ their SS 2012 show, inspired by the tale of Scheherazade: an exotic Persian queen and chronicler of the fairytale, One Thousand and One Nights.
Scheherazade is known to be a wise and witty woman for she certainly knows how to woo her king and keep him interested. The collection does not beg to differ on that department, as their work is intelligent, mysterious and sultry.
The collection howls seduction and femininity in a ‘fairytaley’ setting playing Arabic and gloomy tunes in the background. Spijkers en Spijkers are often compared to Viktor en Rolf as being their female equivalent, I can only agree and say that I am very pleased about spotting Dutch talent at international fashion shows. Twin sisters Truus and Riet are hardly considered fish out of water, as they participated in many a successful show in London Fashion Week history.
The designs in the collection are of Oriental geometric heritage, which is quite the opposite of what they have done before (they have incorporated western influences in previous collections). It is a way of bringing different worlds together. The already unforgettable duo has rebelled against naff preconceptions of femininity in awe of portraying the modern woman as a confident and independent one. Hail to the sisters.
Rhombus patterns attached to evening gowns followed by over-sized satin jackets and man-trousers in soft tones give it an elegant and alluring, yet masculine tone. Colours such as, yellow, crystal pink, coral and blue contrast the soft tones. It looks lenient but very powerful. The basics such as, beige, ivory, lime and black make the tenors of the collection. ‘The Penrose figures are Ancient Arabic but translated in a modern way by using materials like techno linen, cotton lurex, silk twill and cotton blends’. The stars on the dresses surely indicate that the imminent night is upon us as dawn has broken indeed…
