At àpropos footwear, our decision to apply globally sourced, high-quality upholstery textiles to shoes was central to the character of our artisanal performance footwear. These fabrics—often designed for durability and rich visual texture—allow us to merge art and science in small-scale shoes that are both comfortable and expressive.
The intention is simple: footwear that becomes part of your personal style while supporting an effortless lifestyle. Whether moving through everyday routines or traveling from one destination to the next, àpropos shoes are designed to help you move comfortably while turning a few heads along the way.
In the spirit of Women's History Month, we celebrate three remarkable—yet often lesser-recognized—women whose artistic contributions have enriched the worlds of art and textiles.
Visionary Abstraction: Hilma af Klint
The Swedish artist and mystic Hilma af Klint created paintings now recognized among the earliest major abstract works in Western art. Remarkably, a substantial body of her work predates the first purely abstract compositions by artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Kazimir Malevich, and Piet Mondrian. Her intuitive exploration of color, symbolism, and geometry reminds us that innovation often emerges quietly—long before the world fully recognizes it.
The Poetry of Flowers: Rachel Ruyschm
Dutch painter Rachel Ruysch became one of the most accomplished still-life artists of the Dutch Golden Age. Specializing in detailed floral compositions, she developed a distinctive style that earned international recognition during her lifetime. Her career spanned more than sixty years, making her the best-documented female painter of her era. The intricate color harmony and layered detail in her work echo the visual richness we seek in patterned textiles.
A Pioneer of Modern Textiles: Anni Albers
Few artists have influenced modern textile design as profoundly as Anni Albers. At Black Mountain College, she established the school’s groundbreaking weaving program, exploring textiles as art, craft, and design. Her experimental teaching inspired generations of artists and designers, and in 1949 she became the first textile designer to receive a solo exhibition at Museum of Modern Art in New York. Albers blurred the boundaries between traditional craft and modern art—an ethos that continues to influence contemporary design.
From Canvas to Cloth
Textiles are often credited as the first medium of art, before rendering on stone or canvas, and continue to carry artistic expression into everyday lifestyle surroundings. At àpropos, the fabrics we select reflect this lineage—where beauty, durability, and thoughtful design intersect.
By bringing globally sourced textiles into our footwear, we hope each pair becomes more than a shoe. It becomes a small piece of wearable art—crafted for movement, comfort, and the adventures ahead. Inspiration meets shape and substance.