SKIRTS ARE GREAT

Since Martin Bril talked about skirts day in his 1996 Parool column, it became a huge hit. His own definition was: “skirts day is that one day  during spring when all the women suddenly start wearing skirts with bare legs underneath.” No use looking for a fixed date, it’s the spontaneity of it all which is magical, or so said Bril. Now I don’t want to brush Martin’s wishes aside, but with the rise of the brand new brand Happyskirtt, the urge to decide en masse to wear a skirt becomes much stronger.

The launch of Happyskirtt took place yesterday evening. It’s a line of skirts, designed by Elisabeth Loesberg. I’ve pretty much known her all my life, though especially as Els. Els (and her husband Ton) are good friends of my parents and until recently she was a magazine queen (CEO at Sanoma Central Europe, for instance), though now it’s become time for something new. “But I didn’t start working in fashion, that sounds weird for someone who hates trends and just makes pretty skirts.” The skirts that Elisabeth found were always too expensive, too short, or just not it, and so she decided to design them herself. The concept’s simple and efficient, three different models (the Kelly, Hepburn, and the Monroe), made from beautiful Italian fabrics, produced in Bulgaria (and not some dubious factory in India), and all provided with a black elastic band which makes the skirt look lovely and slimming. The skirts are all provided with happy prints like flowers, Italian villages, graphic prints, or just even.

Els didn’t give the opening speech by herself, she was flanked by her 10 ambassadors, amongst who our very own Peggy. But also Makkie Mulder (editor-in-chief Delicious), Els Rozenbroek (editor LINDA magazine), and Adri Vlasblom (creative director ELLE decorations), all iconic women in the magazine industry. The very first Happyskirtt was given to Hilmar Mulder, who you all know. She put on the skirt and truth be told, it looked marvellous. Now it’s rather difficult to find a clothing item that doesn’t look great with a body like Hilmar’s, but still.

Saturday’s the day on which all of you get to buy a skirt of your own because the site will then go live. “We thought that the Netherlands should have another reason to celebrate besides King’s day.” And so it will be. Saturday’s skirt day, let’s decide that now, sorry Martin.