Blouse from Wiener Werkstätte, “Flamingo” design by Lotte Frömel-Fochler, 1910 /12

In 1911, the Wiener Werkstätte established its own fashion department. The impetus behind this was the idea of the Gesamtkunstwerk, which was supposed to encompass all areas of life. Fabrics had already been produced since about 1910. Fashionwise, the Wiener Werkstätte consistently followed its own ideas rather than trends from Paris. This blouse was made at the Wiener Werkstätte by a tailoress not known by name. The fabric design from around 1910/12, named Flamingo, on the other hand, can be traced back to textile artist, fashion designer, and arts-and-craftswoman Lotte Frömel-Fochler (1884–1972). She graduated from the technical school for embroidery at the State Trade School in Graz and then studied at the Vienna Arts-and-Crafts School. For the Wiener Werkstätte, Frömel-Fochler designed embroidery, wallpaper and fabric patterns between 1910 and 1914. This one is made of printed silk and features a floral motif in repeat.

MR, 2021