Designer update

On Our Radar: Pipit Dresses

December 4, 2009  9:43 am

If it wasn’t for the roving eye of a few chic, young gallerinas, Pipit designer Dustin Horowitz might be painting portraits instead of making dresses. After he left his longtime post as creative director at Tommy Hilfiger in 2007, Horowitz launched the dress label as a side project, but his main focus was fine art. After all, that—not fashion—was his major at Parsons. “I invited these galleries to see my work,” explains Horowitz in his spartan Garment District studio. “But all they wanted was the dresses.” Two years later, those dresses are in 30 Barneys New York stores (they have an exclusive in the U.S.) and 20 more boutiques in Japan.

But Pipit is certainly not without its arty elements. With a number of exceedingly simple silhouettes (the racerback tank, the T-shirt dress, the apron) as canvas, Horowitz experiments with industrial fabrics and various screening and dyeing methods, like a cool stenciled lace print or last spring’s amazing pleated over-dyed plaids, which recall Junya Watanabe. Many of his pieces are produced at a studio in Brooklyn that works exclusively with fine artists, but the dresses are still priced quite affordably—around $250 to $275. If all goes well, Spring 2010 may also see Pipit’s first jacket, modeled on the classic jean jacket. For now, we’re happy to have that laser focus on perfectly simple frocks with an artful soul.

Pipit dresses, $250 to $275, at Barneys New York, www.barneys.com.

tags: Barneys, Dustin Horowitz, Junya Watanabe, Pipit, Tommy Hilfiger

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1. This is definitely my style and I do love the dresses. It does however remind me of Redley, a Brazilian brand I’ve liked for a while and decided to bring to my boutique. I like that both brands are modern but so easily wearable. If want to compare them, there are some Redley dresses available online.
   http://www.ToucanBoutique.com

   By ToucanBoutique on 12/4/09 at 11:52 am

2. Love the dresses, but they do remind me of Redley, a Brazilian brand I’ve like for a while and decided to bring to my own boutique. I like that both offer modern cuts and designs in a very wearable way.

   http://www.ToucanBoutique.com

   By ToucanBoutique on 12/4/09 at 12:10 pm

3. I’m sorry Meenal but I personally find this kind of dresses unflattering for whatever woman. It can be an artistic issue but I don’t like the shape and tailoring of the dresses. The price tag is good but you do yourself not a favor to show up in a dress like this at whatever event. Arrivederci

   By Valerio on 12/5/09 at 4:14 pm

4. I love the dresses but they do remind me of Redley (Brazilian brand) that I got for my boutique. I’m a big fan of modern designs that are easily wearable, you don’t have to dress like Lady Gaga to look modern.

   http://www.ToucanBoutique.com

   By ToucanBoutique on 12/5/09 at 8:50 pm

5. I actually love the dresses. In my mind I see plenty of room for versatility and creativity. I think I should invest!!
   http://www.evadanielle.com/

   By crystaldaniels on 12/6/09 at 3:55 am

6. <3

   By Tarne on 12/6/09 at 6:51 am

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