When you think of Balearic fashion – one word (and one item) sums up the entire vibe and feel of the Boho islands: KAFTAN.
It’s the most versatile, striking and comfortable piece in your holiday wardrobe, guaranteed to serve you from the beach to the restaurant to the market to the festival.
We’re not talking about ‘simple’ kaftans here… this is a collection that has elevated them to sensational high-end designer status.
Introducing The Devil Wears Kaftans – a collection of truly beautiful pieces, seen everywhere from Coachella to Ibiza. I managed to get an exclusive interview with the designer.
Founded by Jane Mason, The Devil Wears Kaftans is inspired by her lifelong passion for fashion, influenced by creativity, music, and the effortless glamour of the 1960s and 1970s.
A trip to Morocco at the age of nineteen ignited a deep connection to the country’s vibrant colours, craftsmanship, and unique atmosphere—elements that would become fundamental to the brand. Each piece is handcrafted in Marrakech in small quantities, and produced in collaboration with skilled artisans who share a commitment to quality and detail. The designs draw inspiration from vintage muses and are named after icons and the most significant people in Jane’s life -her friends and family. Every silhouette is thoughtfully created with shape and fit in mind, designed to flatter and enhance. Nothing is mass-produced.
Jane comments: “I’ve worked in fashion all of my life. My uncle Leigh had a large manufacturing business in clothing on Little Portland Street and he was the reason I went into fashion. I actually knew by 12 that this was the path I wanted to follow. I work full time running a fashion recruitment agency representing some of the world’s biggest brands and hopefully finding people their dream jobs. Product is my passion – I’m hugely inspired by vintage, mainly from the 60s and 70s. Whenever I travel, you’ll always find me hunting down the best vintage pieces I can find”.
“After years travelling extensively to Hong Kong for work, I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue in 2010. It taught me life is precious and to follow your passion. In 2012 I started making bags and belts and selling them on Facebook”.
“In 2013 I had a stall in East Dulwich. My mum travelled with me to Marrakech, helping me source leathers, while everything was made in my friend Ahmed’s garage, which soon became a workshop. In 2014 I resigned from my full-time job in fashion after 14 years and set up my fashion recruitment agency from my dining room table in Peckham. That same year I spent 6 weeks solo in Marrakech, with friends joining me along the way. It was a life-changing trip and where the idea for the brand really began”.
“I wanted to make kaftans feel sexier and more fashion-forward. I met a tailor by chance on my 6-week trip to Marrakesh, started creating, and sold those first pieces through my stall and Facebook. My former assistant and best friend Kirsten supported me. Kirsten is also the reason the brand is called The Devil Wears Kaftans. I was getting my hair done, had a couple of coffees (which I never drink) and was talking non-stop. She looked at me and said… ‘Oh my gosh… the devil really does wear kaftans.’ And the name stuck.”
“All my pieces are named after icons and special people in my life, and the real Sam, Mimi, Kirsten, have all put in the graft in helping me on my trips and every step of the way on this journey”.
Check out the collection online, Instagram and Facebook @thedevilwearskaftans
