Black & White Caftan Inspired by 1910s Dress Reform

One last-minute outfit for Costume College 2024 was very loosely inspired (pun intended) by the 1910s Austrian dress reform designs of Emilie Flöge. These styles were corset-free and intended to give women more liberty and freedom of movement. Flöge had a successful boutique with her unconventional fashion designs, but she’s also known as the muse of the painter Gustav Klimt.

I modified a Hawaiian dress pattern and used some black and white diamond-print and stripe cotton fabrics to whip this up. Like I said, this is very loosely inspired by Flöge’s designs! Photos by Mark Edwards at Costume College 2024.