Whether the image of a woman resplendent in a kaftan conjures up Vreeland herself, reclining in her red sitting room, Elizabeth Taylor decked out in her brocade versions complete with jewels, Kate Moss cruising up the gangplank to Club 55 in Saint Tropez for lunch, Talitha Getty, beautiful on a Moroccan rooftop or even Auntie Mame, there is an air of nonchalance and spirit of eccentricity inherent in this way of dressing that we adore. It suggests a love of adventure, a fuss free approach that leaves plenty of room for good times and a relaxed sort of fabulousness you just can’t bottle. Kaftan wearers are invariably the most fun women at the party – most likely, equal parts glamorous and eccentric. They also look fantastic. Dripping in print or embroidery, clad in wonderful colour, swathed in luxurious fabrics – and then paired with some simple flats – this is a look that never dates and never ceases to make the best sort of statement.

In our designs at KOTUR, the idea is always to deliver just this sort of glamour.  It’s the kind that wears as well with jeans as it does with cocktail dresses, that takes you somewhere in your imagination, somewhere exotic and indulgent, without ever seeming forced. Gyspet style speaks to the kaftan wearer in all of us. Look to our designs, and you’ll see that they do, too.

Click through our gallery above to see some of our very favorite examples of wonderful kaftan wearers. Brilliantly bohemian, inordinately glamorous and effortlessly fabulous, these are women dressing with just a little bit of decadence, and we love them for it. Because too much of a good thing really can be wonderful.

Photo Courtesy:

1. Talitha Getty, Patrick Lichfield, Vogue, January 15, 1970
2. Elizabeth Taylor, That’s Entertainment (1974)
3. Diana Vreeland, photo by Horst p Horst in her ‘Garden from Hell’ 1979
4. Rosalind Russell in the role of Auntie Mame (1958)
5. Donna Marella Agnelli, photo by Horst P. Horst featured in Horst Interiors by Barbara Plumb, 1993
6. Catherline Deneuve, Vogue, 1966
7. Lee Radziwill in an Ottoman style Kaftan, Cecil Beaton
8. Grace Kelly, Getty Images
9.  Diane Von Fuerstenberg, 1970s
10. Marisa Berenson in gold caftan by Tina Leser with rings by Gripoix, Photo by Henry Clarke 1968
11. Ashley Oslen in vintage caftan by Neilson Barnard/ Getty Images
12. Kate Moss cruising up the gangplank to Club 55 in Saint Tropez by fameflynet.uk.com
13.  Margherita Missoni by Vittorio Zunino Celotto
14. Jerry Hall, 1975
15. Nicole Richie by Jeffrey Mayer
16.  Sheikha Mozah of Qatar in Chanel Spring 2011 Haute Couture

The fashion icon that is Grace Kelly is currently the subject of a brand new exhibit in her home state of Philadelphia at the Michener Art Museum. In ‘From Philadelphia to Monaco, Grace Kelly: Beyond the Icon,’ an extremely personal look at the actress turned Princess is given. Using personal letters, notes from her husband Prince Rainer, pieces from her wardrobe, personal photographs, home movies and much much more each bit of the installation only serves to enhance the woman’s extraordinary elegance, every bit as much of an icon behind the scenes as well as in front of the camera, it would seem. For details of the exhibition which will head back to Monaco indefinitely after this stop, head to the Michener Museum here.

Meanwhile, in Paris, it’s the designer’s favourite designer that is being given the star treatment in a retrospective of his creations that more than holds it’s own against the Matisse murals it is displayed in front of at the Palais Galleria in the Musée de la Mode. Azzedine Alaia, a designer known for his sculptural, body hugging shapes and innovative use of fabrics and cut, has been the sort of fashion favourite that transcends trend and time for decades now. This exhibition makes it extremely easy to understand why. The Exhibition runs through January – find out how to see it here http://parismusees.paris.fr/en/exhibition/alaia

And finally, in London, the Victoria and Albert Museum have dedicated their winter exhibition to the eternal beauty of Pearls. Using Elizabeth Taylor’s pearl earrings, George III’s pearl and enamel buttons, the pearl drop earring Charles I wore as he headed to the executioner’s block, Marilyn Monroe’s simple strand given to her by Joe DiMaggio,  tiaras, brooches, Mikimoto’s modern designs and more the exhibition not only demystifies the jewel of the sea’s origins but also shows it in it’s most splendid glory. A must for jewellery lovers, it’s on show until late January. http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/exhibition-pearls/

Pictures from:

http://www.michenermuseum.org/exhibition/from-philadelphia-to-monaco-grace-kelly-beyond-the-icon

http://parismusees.paris.fr/en/exhibition/alaia

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/exhibition-pearls/