spijkers en spijkers a/w08 collection on vogue.com

FOR THEIR autumn/winter 2008-9 show, edgy Dutch designers Spijkers en Spijkers showed a collection designed to liberate women. With Scarlett O'Hara and romance as their inspirations, as well as English artist Aubrey Beardsley's dark Art Nouveau prints, twins Truss and Riet Spijker used a monochrome palette mixed with camouflage-print and jewel tones for their romantic dresses, silk shorts, voluminous taffeta capes and tailored trouser-and-shirt pieces. It was power-dressing with a sexy twist - Spijkers en Spijkers girls combine romantic ruffles with masculine bow-tie detailing, translucent organza with camouflage hotpants and silk monochrome dresses emblazoned with Aubrey's dark prints. The twins played cleverly with silhouette to further their theme - voluminous sleeves were balanced by knee-high socks and thick belts at the waist, while razor-sharp shapes at the neck were juxtaposed with sheer fabric and, while the pencil-thin skirts and trousers were sharply tailored, they were created from sultry silks. (February 13 2008, AM)

Ally Pyle