Many designers talk about being “women designing for other women,” but few are as authentic as Apiece Apart’s Starr Hout and Laura Cramer. As they flipped through their pre-fall lookbook, the first thing they pointed out wasn’t the clothes, but the background: a white shelf lined with curvy ceramics, each by a different female sculptor. The second thing they pointed out was the print on a dress, which was painted by another female artist, Rosie McGuinness. They care as much about celebrating and supporting other women as they do designing the perfect wide-leg trouser or macramé sweater; in fact, they said one of the greatest pleasures of opening their stores has been selling beauty products, jewelry, and accessories by other like-minded women. In their just-opened Tribeca shop, you’ll find Apiece Apart’s fragrance oils made in collaboration with Bodha; jewelry by Kathleen Whitaker; and skin care by 3rd Ritual, among other special items.
How all of that translates to the clothing lies in Hout and Cramer’s deep understanding of how women want to look and feel. In addition to their own needs and experiences, they get feedback from customers, friends, and collaborators, and have gathered that summer (when this collection ships) is the right time for a wardrobe palate cleanser. In lieu of the season’s typical ditsy florals and pastels were separates in head-to-toe emerald, slate, and navy. The loose silhouettes felt like a breath of fresh air: A new wide-leg trouser and tiered A-line dress left ample space between the fabric and body.
Similarly, the duo’s usual ruffles were pared back in favor of boxier, almost tomboyish silhouettes, like striped knit polos and loose cuffed shorts (they’re not Bermudas and they’re also not culottes—they’re just shorts!). Hout was quick to note that in addition to being easy to wear, these clothes will be easy on the earth: Almost every fabric is organic (the macramé knits were also botanically dyed), representing a step forward in their mission to produce more responsibly.
