This effect can be caused by the number of reflective surfaces, check out the blue smear, its reflecting light off of plexiglass, then there is a mirror in the background wall - then that mirror does NOT reflect the shooter of the picture but the door (with white tile trim) in the back is cut...
So interesting...
I notice there are three reflective surfaces - I wonder if that helps in some way.
Any history of the area?
here is another dress kinda like that one: (1910)
http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/scdpl&CISOPTR=1153&CISOBOX=1&REC=20
Here is 1899...