KATE HERSCH

Home accessories and clothing designer

Kate Hersch’s August Morgan (augustmorgan.com) boasts an ingeniously simple charm. With her popular embroidered cocktail napkins sporting whimsical patterns—like a duck in wellies with the caption “sloshed”— she creates a clever balance of sophistication and charming wit. Hersch started collecting needlepoint pillows more than 10 years ago and turned obsession into occupation when she began designing napkins and glassware, which you can find at Neiman Marcus. In May, she launched her first clothing collection of colorful and comfortable shirtdresses, available at Adelante and Julian Gold. “I want to design for all ages,” says Hersch. “Everyone needs something you can throw on and not have to worry about.”

“People want a simple, classic look that they can interpret into their own style.”

Dress, $275, by August Morgan; earrings, $1,400, by Blanca Monrós Gómez at Sunroom; bracelet, $1,199, by Marla Aaron at Kick Pleat; multoon ring, $150, by Faeber Studio at Aro.