Kaftan my kaftan: Gypsetters are bringing back Bohemia

According to the Urban Dictionary, the "Gypset" fuse the ease and carefree lifestyle of a Gypsy with the sophistication of the jet set.

Gypsetters are artists, surfers, designers and bon vivants. Their quint-essential dress of choice is the kaftan, part tunic part robe, encrusted with jewels, worn short and sexy in flighty, silky fabrics.

International designer Diana Vreeland called the kaftan "fashion for the beautiful people". The kaftan gained popularity in the 1960s and was favoured hippie garb.

Now kaftans are seen on the beach, along the promenade and at the bar for sundowners, worn with metallic flat sandals or with plenty of jewels and a topknot for casual glam.

Inspired by travel, Louisa Niehaus from Frankie & Ella recently started making her own line of kaftans to add to her offerings of travel bags, jewellery, pumps and pashminas.

''When designing this range, my love of jewellery got the better of me," said Niehaus. ''Then there were the birds I saw in the Amazon rainforest, the colours, the vibrancy, butterflies, exotic snakes, all of this inspiration from nature was incorporated into my latest range."

The prices of Frankie & Ella kaftans range from R750 to R1800. They are available from frankieandella.com