emily flöge, clothes and gustav klimt; where worlds collide

Emilie Louise Flöge (30 August 1874 – 26 May 1952) was an Austrian fashion designer and businesswoman. She was the life companion of the painter Gustav Klimt.  Floge designed bespoke garments, especially loose, patterned dresses in the Reform Style. This style was promoted by the feminist movement in Vienna and was characterized by high bodices, a loose silhouette, and billowing sleeves.

Flöge was a member of the Viennese bohemian and fin de siecle circles. Klimt was painting many women from the upper echelons of Viennese society and thus was able to introduce Emilie Flöge to a prosperous client base so many of her dress designs feature in his portraits. After 1891, Klimt portrayed her in many of his works. Experts believe that his painting The Kiss (1907–08) shows the artist and Emilie Flöge as lovers.