emilie flöge was the life-long companion & muse of gustave klimt and one of vienna's most exclusive couturiers between 1904 and 1938. she established her salon, schwestern flöge, in 1904 with her sisters helene (married to ernst klimt) & eldest pauline. the loose fitting, beltless style of dresses they designed encouraged greater freedom for the body and art & was greatly influenced by the "secession" group founded by klimt & friends in 1897 which called for creative involvement in all aspects of decorative arts. their creative partnership went both ways, klimt's art was heavily influenced by emilie's textiles and he, in fact, designed dresses and labels for the line. their relationship is speculative, klimt was a well known ladies man and although he never committed to emilie they remained together until his death. i swoon, swoon, swoon for that striped & checkered dress! oh la la i believe i would live in it for quite a long time.