Embracing minimalism and shape, Apiece Apart– a brand founded and headed by Laura Cramer and Starr Hout– radiates quiet confidence this season.
While playing off the principles of clean lines and simplicity- Laura and Starr compose their lines of “elevated basics- building block pieces that are as versatile as the woman wearing them”. The designs call attention to pragmatism- a value that is often forgotten in the overall construction of a line. Apiece Apart is the street corner on which simple comes to terms with sophisticated and respectfully so due to the great emphasis on fine tailoring and craftsmanship (another mark of a well-thought-out brand). The fashionable duo has cited Georgia O’Keeffe as their muse and have also drawn inspirations from international culture, calling the SS13 collection “a space where Scandinavia and Japan meet”.
As impressive as the brand sounds, the story behind it is arguably almost as equally engaging as the label it preceded.
Laura Cramer and Starr Hout met back in ’99 at NYU while both women were at the time studying as undergraduates. Both were pursuing separate paths on top of their already harbored passion for fashion and design. Laura was pursuing design and theory while Starr was under art history. In the time between then and 2008 (the launching of the brand) the two friends shared ideas and inspiration, although the thought of doing something together was still on the back burner behind their current careers. Apiece Apart was born one day the duo took a roadie to celebrate their birthdays (a day apart from one another) along with their boyfriends at the time (now their husbands),cruising along during a trip to West Texas. The beginning took place in a huge 80’s Benz, equipped with leather seats, and a canine along for the ride. Then Laura proposes an idea to Starr- something along the lines of, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if you just had a few things you could pack in a bag and you could take anywhere?”, thus was the spark that ignited what is now Apiece Apart.
Following the trip, the two decided to make this idea a reality. Toying around with ideas for the name of the brand both thought that a garment from Apiece Apart was going to be about “a piece of your wardrobe, a part of your life”- wanting to make clothes to fit the life of a woman who is active, busy, always on-the-go. They wanted to construct beautiful clothes but at the same time, basing everything on the lifestyle of a woman rather than following “what’s hot”. They make it a priority to construct garments that fit into where, when, and why a piece will be worn. As far as Laura and Starr are concerned, the only trend Apiece Apart will follow is one that is practical, sophisticated, and simple. Apiece Apart proves that less can definitely do a lot more and as set-apart as they are, Laura and Starr are sure to make headlines soon.
