Spijkers en Spijkers take to the Milan catwalks

Fashion design

Designer duo Spijkers en Spijkers unveiled their autumn/winter 2009/10 collection entitled “The ballad of Dorothy Parker” as part of Milan Fashion Week.

By Katie Dominy /asdf 05-03-2009

“This, no ballad of innocence; This, the rhyme of a lady who; Followed ever her natural bents….Decked in garments of sable hue…I loved them until they loved me.” Dorothy Parker, 1924.

The American writer and poet, best known for her witty sayings and daring ways formed the muse and inspiration for Spijkers en Spijkers new collection for this winter.

The 1920s have always held a special fascination for twins Truus and Riet Spijkers and Dorothy Parker as an icon allowed them to indulge in the modern, sharp and bold aspects of the decade. The new autumn/winter 2009/10 collection played on the juxtaposition of the refined and feminine, with oversized fabric bows; set against bold stripes of contrasting textures, inspired by Dorothy Parker’s sense of risk and modern approach to life. Bold colours brought the collection to life in orchid purple, scarlet, black, forest green; set against a palette of skin tones and neutral shades of caramel, cream and winter white that even manage to include an animal print.

Taking a cue from Dorothy Parker, who once said, “Take care of luxuries and the necessities will take care of themselves”, the collection featured fabrics that are opulent and wintry warm, focusing on ottoman wool, satin and silk with Lurex. Dresses and skirts with deep flounces come in heavy satins, while sheer silk georgette is combined with heavy rib knit finishes for tops and dresses.

Glossy silk-covered cording creates deep petal-shaped loops on dresses and skirts, for example in ice blue and back around the neckline of a winter-white dress. Voluminous coats in woven double satin, mohair and bouclé wool come with padded collars and cuffs. Colourful retro-style turbans and neck warmers, plus long dangling silk cord earrings completed the look.

For this autumn season Spijkers en Spijkers asked the Netherlands’ best-known shoe designer Jan Jansen to collaborate on the footwear. Ultra-sexy stiletto booties in patent leather came down the catwalk, designed with pointed toes, open front and laced back in colour combinations of black lined in scarlet or orchid pink with red. As big fans of Jansen's work, Truus and Riet were excited that he could be involved. The twins selected styles from Jansen's collection and he gave them colour swatches to allow them to choose the exact materials and colours themselves. The shoes will be produced in one of the Gucci footwear factories in Italy.