“bloom softly / however you need / just bloom.” —Rupi Kaur Bloom introduces a dynamic palette featuring signature Alabama Chanin designs and one-of-a-kind naturally-dyed garments in soft floral hues.  The Collection celebrates hand-craft through wandering appliqués and floral motifs, hand-painted details, and thoughtful design. Discover Bloom. Shop The Jude Top:Back by Popular Demand BLOOM: NATURALLY-DYED… Read on

“Everything I do starts in a small black book. I make lists. I draw. I take down notes, memorable quotes, or random thoughts. Things seem to expand out of those pages.”—Phillip March Jones  The covers of our Phillip March Jones Journals, shown below, are printed with vibrant designs from the sketchbooks of artist, writer, and friend, Phillip March… Read on

“Seeing is everything. But it takes practice.” —Phillip March Jones Introducing Brightly: A new collection, and a new perspective. Explore an imaginative assortment of vibrant hues and new designs inspired by artist, writer, curator Phillip March Jones. Phillip and Natalie have shared a friendship for almost two decades, and he has been a source of inspiration… Read on

2021 marks the tenth year of our annual review, looking back on the highlights, and accomplishments, of the past year.   We are grateful for the opportunity to do what we love for another year—being stewards of sustainability, sharing inspiration, creating designs and experiences with our family, friends, colleagues, and guests. We recognize that many of… Read on

Twenty.one onward through the liminal wan.der.lust air and love stitches  at the edge of nature freefall  renegade we are always coming home   trails of overgrown memories home.town love the thread catch my soul  scrub me new me together return to rethread aspire homeward  crafting web embellish.life storytelling core to live  and inspire  Created in collaboration with Diana Weymar of Tiny Pricks Project, Alabama Chanin x Tiny Pricks Project is a collection of 21 one-of-a-kind jackets,… Read on

Always sustainable, never alike. Discover new colors, sizes, and patchwork designs from our One-of-a-Kind collection. As part of our zero-waste mission, each garment is crafted from upcycled materials and cannot be replicated. Our latest release includes a vibrant palette of Reclaimed Down outerwear, striking waffle pieces that utilize smaller fabric scraps with more hand-stitched details,… Read on

Today on the Journal, Rinne shares the history of and process of our collaboration that has created hand-painted designs in the Permission to Wander capsule collection.  From Rinne:  This little collection of garments and treasures is inspired by the idea ‘permission to wander’….many years ago my friend Hope Hilton used this term in relation to a body of her work and… Read on

“Leave the door open for the unknown…” “…the door into the dark.” “That’s where the most important things come from…” “…where you yourself came from…” “…and where you will go.” —Rebecca Solnit from A Field Guide to Getting Lost Permission to Wander is a capsule collection of hand-painted designs and artisan-made objects to inspire (and… Read on

Permission to Wander: Curated to Inspire Find new and returning Alabama Chanin designs, musings, and artisan-crafted goods in our latest capsule collection. Start wandering. Food for Thought:Good Reads from Permission to Wander

“Deciding to give myself permission to wander—without a set outcome, destination, or expectation—has been a turning point in my creative process…a vital part of my seasonal rhythm.” —Rinne Allen Permission to Wander: A new capsule collection in collaboration with our friend and muse, Rinne Allen. Discover hand-painted designs and artisan-made objects to inspire (and carry… Read on

Back By Popular Demand: Alabama Chanin x Botanical Colors Our best-selling natural dye collaboration is returning in August.  Pre-order the limited-edition Botanical Colors Coverup, Essential Rib Skirt, Waffle Sweatshirt, and Tank now, while inventory lasts. Find Botanical Colors in Summer of Love Collection. Shop New Love Tee Bundles:Five Tees With 20% Savings SHOP + EXPLORE

21 Years of Sustainable Design: The Love Tee Our Love Tee is crafted from organic lightweight cotton and is available in a spectrum of new colors for Summer of Love.  As part of our zero-waste mission, the tee is finished with signature ringer trims that are made using excess fabric scraps. Shop the Love Tee…. Read on

Left: “Plastic is Forever” by Barbara de Vries; right: “Portrait of Barbara de Vries”. Dutch artist and designer Barbara de Vries experienced what she calls her personal transformation while walking on the beach of Eleuthera in the Bahamas about 15 years ago. She noticed bright flecks of color within the sand and initially thought they were beautiful… Read on

“Cotton field in north Alabama”, 2012. Photograph by Rinne Allen.   Cotton has been at the heart of our business for over two decades. First in the form of recycled cotton t-shirts, and since 2005, in partnership with our Texas farmers and North Carolina converters. This plant, and its fiber, are rooted in the complicated history of… Read on

Crafted from organic lightweight cotton, the Laurel Top, Ripley Polo, Ines Top, and Ines Dress are hand-painted throughout in a new large-format botanical motif. Shop Summer of Color. Explore the Ines Top in new basic and painted colorways.

Playful silhouettes from our Summer of Color Collection The Felicity Dress, Felicity Top, and flowy Lyla Top are available in 13 limited-edition organic rib-knit colorways. Find them here along with the entire collection. Discover The Love Tee:A Fit (+ Color) for Everyone SHOP + EXPLORE

We are continually captivated and inspired by the Mexican artist and style icon Frida Kahlo. Frida incorporated personal experiences, relationships, traditional Mexican culture, and political ideologies into her art, and is a representation of fearlessness and authenticity for many in marginalized groups. Frida drew from the deepest emotional elements of her personal life – including her marriage,… Read on

Summer of Color: A sustainable collection of new designs and beloved silhouettes, reimagined in an array of limited-edition colorways in organic cotton. Explore vibrant basics and new hand-painted styles to celebrate life in color. Discover Summer of Color. Shop the Ines Top:New Hand-painted + Basic Colorways SHOP + EXPLORE

Summer of Color: Watch for new designs and colorways arriving soon. “I found I could say things with colors that I couldn’t say in any other way—things that I had no words for.” —Georgia O’Keeffe Explore limited-edition naturally dyed garments, hand crafted in collaboration with Botanical Colors.  Shop Alabama Chanin x Botanical Colors → Alabama… Read on

Reissued from our design archives, the Fernando Skirt features a hand-sewn patchwork design—a callback to Natalie’s iconic first collection, which was crafted from upcycled t-shirts using quilting techniques learned from her mother and grandmother. Shop the Fernando Skirt. Shop The Waffle Sweatshirt:Limited-edition, Naturally Dyed MORE TO LOVE

In 2017, we featured Kathy Hattori of Botanical Colors in our Indigo Stories series on The Journal (among many other movers and shakers in the natural dye world). For our new readers, we revisit her background, her work with Alabama Chanin, and share the mission of Botanical Colors—with who we’ve recently collaborated on for our capsule collection of… Read on

New: Alabama Chanin x Botanical Colors A limited-edition collection of core Alabama Chanin designs, naturally dyed in collaboration with Botanical Colors. Each soft pink garment has been hand-dyed with madder root and other natural resources to achieve the signature tone found throughout the assortment, beautifully unique to each garment. Explore the collaboration. Alabama Chanin x… Read on

Alabama Chanin x Botanical Colors:Available for Pre-sale A limited-edition collection of core Alabama Chanin designs, naturally dyed in collaboration with Botanical Colors. Each soft pink garment is hand-dyed with madder root and other natural resources to achieve the signature tone found throughout the assortment, beautifully unique to each garment. Like all of our garments, the… Read on

Indispensable wardrobe staples and everyday basics, made in the USA from organic cotton fabrics for quality that lasts. Explore an assortment of modern, evergreen essentials, designed to pair well with one another and work seamlessly into our daily lives.  Arriving Friday: We’ve taken four of our favorite Core styles and collaborated with Botanical Colors to… Read on

“Tactile Corpuscles”, 2014 by Sanne Muiser for the Earth Matters exhibition curated by Lidewij Edelkoort and Philip Fimmano. Photograph by Studio Pluis via TLmag. …our entente with nature will be re-written and re-invented;we will try to live together in a more harmonious way,giving and taking, and caring for each other.– Lidewij Edelkoort Back in 2017,… Read on

The Waffle Sweatshirt, our beloved thermal-style top, is now available in an oversized option for a more custom, relaxed fit. Choose between two size ranges and sleeve lengths to find the perfect fit to suit your lifestyle. Seed-to-shelf Made in America from 100% organic waffle-knit. Shop The Waffle Sweatshirt.

The earliest days of Alabama Chanin’s website mostly consisted of Natalie teaching herself web-publishing in her (almost nonexistent) free time. She saw it as a way to express elements of who Alabama Chanin was without literally stitching it onto a garment – though we actually did that, too. Because of this tinkering and self-teaching, Alabama Chanin stepped into the e-commerce world in… Read on

After winning the CFDA/Lexus Eco-Fashion Challenge in 2013, Natalie shared that “part of the appeal of being a designer, for me, is the act of bringing not only products but also systems of making to life.”  It’s not about the end, but rather, the entire. Under Natalie’s creative direction, the Alabama Chanin production, design, and… Read on

“Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.” ― Chinese Proverb  Change has been a constant at Alabama Chanin and over Natalie’s twenty-plus years as a designer, business owner, and slow fashion pioneer. Doing the good work to implement positive changes that better the lives of our guests, our team, and… Read on

Left: “Self Portrait on Geary Street”, 1959 by Imogen Cunningham via the Museum of Modern Art; right: “Magnolia Blossom”, 1925 by Imogen Cunningham via Oklahoma State University Art Collection “I made a lot of mistakes, and I still do. But, I try not to worry about it, because I never will be the perfectionist, and… Read on

Alabama Chanin Core Club is a selection of our favorite designs that can be styled together or paired with our existing wardrobes to complete a variety of looks through the seasons. These styles are bundled together and offered with over 20% savings.  The newest Alabama Chanin Core Club features four beloved machine-sewn pieces: The Jogger, The Essential Skirt,… Read on

Everyone loves a great-fitting tee—and we’ve got three. The Love Tee, Boyfriend Tee, and The Everyday Tee offer a variety of fits and fabrications, and each is responsibly made from organic cotton.

“The evening sings in a voice of amber, the dawn is surely coming.”  —Al Stewart   Amber begins as a soft resin that eventually becomes stronger with time. Because it begins in a malleable and fluid state, it can collect ancient insects, water, and natural elements as it changes form. For that reason, one might consider… Read on

Clockwise from top left: Natalie’s Pullover, The Rosa Top, The Trench, Natalie’s Coat detail, Natalie’s Coat, The Peacoat, The Hoodie, Corrine Jacket Explore layering pieces below that offer added comfort and warmth for this season.  

From top left: Luna Rae Top in White Gold Palm; The Willie Top in Blue Slate; Waffle Caftan in Natural; Lightweight Organic Cotton Face Mask in Black; Left and bottom right: Lee Dress, 2017; Top right: Chandler Jacket and Austin Skirt, 2018 by Natalie Chanin for Alabama Chanin from The Women who Revolutionized Fashion: 250… Read on

At Alabama Chanin, we honor the relationship between materials, products, and individuals—creating organic goods for a sustainable life.  Explore Natalie’s favorite essentials to be enjoyed in the new year that include Alabama Chanin designs and home goods for sustainable living.

This weekend we look back at our top Journal stories of 2020; today, we share our favorites from Alabama Chanin. Storytelling helps us learn and connect and build community. Thank you for being a part of ours.   If you missed it, view The School of Making’s 2020 favorites here.    P.S.: Visit the bottom of this post to… Read on

Early instances of lingerie as clothing emerged in 1700’s France with Marie Antoinette and members of her court. During their casual, all-female gatherings, they wore what was called a chemise – a loose garment that was shaped only with drawstrings or sashes. These were not worn in formal society, but became casual staples. Slips have… Read on

Explore our Sustainable Holiday Gift Guide. WHAT WE LOVE

Featured in Made It: The Women Who Revolutionized Fashion exhibition. From top left:  “Gilded Sapphire Celia Tunic”, 2019 by Natalie Chanin for Alabama Chanin, “Beaded Facets Coat”, 2006 by Natalie Chanin for Alabama Chanin, “Beaded Facets Coat Detail”, 2006 by Natalie Chanin for Alabama Chanin, “Sapphire Dot Leighton Skirt”, 2019 by 2019 by Natalie Chanin for Alabama Chanin, “Sapphire Dot Leighton Skirt Detail” 2019  2019 by Natalie Chanin for Alabama Chanin, and Lee Dress, 2017; Top right:… Read on

From top left: Suns Apron detail, Suns Tee, Suns Apron development, Suns Apron, and Suns Apron detail from Hable Construction x Alabama Chanin Collaboration; “Susan Hable painting in her studio”, 2017 by Rinne Allen “Through collaborating, great things are possible.”  At Alabama Chanin, we thrive when collaborating with others. It brings out the best in… Read on

The Women Who Revolutionized Fashion: 250 Years of Design, 2020 by Peabody Essex Museum in collaboration with Kunstmuseum Den Haag and Rizzoli Electa, edited by Petra Slinkard.  Fashion was, is, and will likely always be a way to differentiate oneself in a world that often feels most comfortable with sameness and conformity. If clothing is indeed the “armor” that Bill Cunningham firmly believed it… Read on

From top left: “Shots from “Case Study House #8; Eames House”, 1949 by Charles and Ray Eames from Eames: Beautiful Details, 2012 by Eames Demetrios and Charles Eames, edited by Gloria Flower and Steve Crist (pages 374–375); The Willie Top and Celia Florence Skirt from Alabama Chanin; “Embroidery Design”, 1885 by May Morris via the Victoria… Read on

“Understanding the physics of the fabric at the structural level is key to our work at Alabama Chanin.” – Natalie Chanin, Alabama Studio Sewing + Design  As much poetry that goes into describing the fit and movement and feel of our fabrics and styles, equally, we must understand the science behind our fabrics. The fabric informs a garment’s… Read on

The Florence Collection’s modern, elevated designs are crafted from lush 100% organic cotton fabrics and feature luxury details and hand-painted finishes. Celebrate 20 years of sustainable design with us. SHOP THE FLORENCE COLLECTION Shop Natalie’s Favorites:Hallmark Designs + Goods SHOP + EXPLORE

Celebrating 20 years of sustainable design. The Florence Collection is an exploration of natural silhouettes, movement, and abstract form. Florence’s modern, elevated designs are crafted from lush 100% organic cotton fabrics and feature the luxury details and hand-painted finishes that are synonymous with the Alabama Chanin brand. The Florence Collection pays homage to Natalie’s 20… Read on

In 2016, Grace Bonney, founder of Design*Sponge, published In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs. In it, she interviews and highlights women from a diverse range of backgrounds, races, ages, and abilities. Natalie was proud to be included among this talented group of entrepreneurs and makers, all of whom… Read on

Legendary photographer Bill Cunningham once said, “The wider world that perceives fashion as a frivolity, as something that should be done away with…fashion, you know, point of fact, it’s the armor to survive the reality of everyday life. I don’t think you could do away with it. It would be like doing away with civilization.”  Of course,… Read on

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” – Virginia Woolf  Modern essentials for the home and table, designed with utility and beauty in mind. Explore an assortment of handcrafted home goods, kitchenware, and gifts, and find inspiration to live and dine well this season. Explore the Cook +… Read on

“A spider’s—or a painter’s—fleeting stab at perfection is a negligible stitch in an unbounded fabric. Its only significance lies in our own momentary, mortal gaze as we reckon with eternity.”  — Peter Schjeldahl  It is summertime in the early aughts, late evening. I am in New York City, and I’m riding my 1971 Schwinn Stardust bike on… Read on

Explore our new mask designs here.

“Lee Bontecou in her Wooster Street studio”, 1963 by Ugo Mulas.  Lee Bontecou was known to use her art to explore voids she found in society and within herself. She blended sculpture with paintings and drawings, often using unconventional materials and processes she developed for her work. She was known as being meticulous with each step in the creation… Read on

Left: Rosa Parks 7053 Tee, a collaboration between Alabama Chanin and basic. benefitting the Equal Justice Initiative; Right: “Montgomery, Alabama, police photo (mug shot) of Rosa Parks”, February 21, 1956 from Alabama Department of Archives and History.  In the iconic booking photograph of Rosa Parks shown above, taken February 21, 1956, she is recorded as prisoner “7053” after being… Read on

Left: “Ruth Asawa amid her works”, 1954. Photographed by Nat Farbman/Time & Life Pictures via New York Times; right: “Untitled (S.270)”, 1954–1958 by Ruth Asawa via Whitney Museum of American Art  NOTE: At the same time we were working on this post, a New York Times article titled “The Japanese-American Sculptor Who, Despite Persecution, Made Her Mark” published on July 20,2020. It’s wonderful and timely… Read on

Created with our quality standards of sustainable and ethical design and manufacturing, our Leisure Collection features organic cotton pieces for comfort and self-care. Find undergarments, soft layering pieces, practical styles for home and everyday wear, and inspirations along the way in our newly re-imagined Leisure collection.  The Collection: Luxury Style This Way DESIGN + INSPIRATION

“Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board. For some they come with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out of sight…” — Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God Our most beloved essentials, re-imagined. Explore the assortment of evergreen and everyday garments designed in the spirit… Read on

“Equality means more than passing laws. The struggle is really won in the hearts and minds of the community, where it really counts.” – Barbara Gittings  In the spirit of Pride, and of love for one and all, our Summer of Color Collection features a range of beloved organic Alabama Chanin styles, offered in an assortment of… Read on

As part of our ongoing efforts to assist in the COVID-19 crisis by making face masks, we are expanding our work through Fashion Girls for Humanity (FGFH), a nonprofit organization founded by Julie Gilhart, Kikka Hanazawa, Miki Higasa, and Tomoko Ogura in the wake of the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami disaster. Since then, the organization has evolved to bring humanitarian services… Read on

Palm-tree: single-legged giant,topping other trees,peering at the firmament —It longs to pierce the black cloud-ceilingand fly away, away,if only it had wings. The tree seems to express its wishin the tossing of its head:its fronds heave and swish—It thinks, Maybe my leaves are feathers,and nothing stops me nowfrom rising on their flutter. All day the… Read on

The fabric tells a story. In the careful stitches, the colors, the pieces, a narrative takes shape. The blue water, the bright sun overhead, the American flag. In the center, a black fist holds a red lightning bolt. Harnessing power, and powerful itself.   This fabric is a quilt, designed by Ruth Clement Bond, one of six so-called… Read on

At Alabama Chanin, we are in passionate pursuit to design, responsibly produce, and offer products and experiences that enrich life, community, and the planet.  We value inclusivity in our team, our collaborations, our partnerships, and in the fashion industry.   Part of our mission reads to “show love and care in all our actions.” We pride ourselves in… Read on

“Consciously living life and making slower choices—whether it’s for food, clothing, or shelter—can change everything.”   We look back at 20 years of Natalie creating a sustainable life and business in her hometown of Florence, Alabama, where our Alabama Chanin family of businesses is proudly located. Read back on the Journal (which encompasses over 14 years of storytelling)… Read on

We are honored and grateful for the overwhelmingly positive response to our reusable face masks. The entire Alabama Chanin and Bldg. 14 teams have been working to safely produce them for over four weeks now. Each day the nation’s need grows, and each day we look for ways to help – all while keeping our staff… Read on

One garment. One sewer. One piece at a time. The acts of making and manufacturing have a rich history in our community, and at Alabama Chanin we are carrying on those traditions by creating our heirloom garments locally. Utilizing our American-made organic fabrics, our team of skilled sewers carefully crafts each garment, with one sewer… Read on

“We first started talking about slow fashion as a derivative of the slow food movement. I think in many ways that industry is light years ahead of where the fashion is. People started looking at the ways things were planted and grown much sooner than we did with textiles. I think a lot of what’s… Read on

From our very beginnings, Alabama Chanin has approached design from a sustainable and zero-waste perspective. Our earliest Collection garments were t-shirts taken apart and pieced back together, sometimes using scraps for appliqué or decoration. We are always looking for ways to use scraps in clever or utilitarian ways. Sometimes that means building our patterns so that they… Read on

“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.” – Brené Brown  2020 looks a lot different than it began. Earlier in the year, we set the intention to focus on a practice of retreat and self-care; in the most unexpected way, we find ourselves digging deeper and deeper into… Read on

Building 14 is Alabama Chanin’s machine-made design and manufacturing division. It is a callback to the early days of our region within the history of American textile manufacturing.  Building 14 machine manufacturing, officially born in 2013, is a natural expansion of our hand-sewn ethos and part of the Alabama Chanin Family of Businesses. The concept is… Read on

On Sunday, Dana Thomas, author of Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes, hosted a discussion with Natalie on Instagram. Dana, in the South of France, and Natalie, in her kitchen in Florence, Alabama, shared their thoughts and experiences about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting day-to-day life and the fashion… Read on

For the most recent updates regarding our Reusable Face Masks, visit here. As we continue to adjust to life in the age of COVID-19, we are humbled by the overwhelming response to our face mask initiative. The outpouring of orders, support, and love shown to us—and more importantly to one another—is astounding. Thank you. Our… Read on

As we all work together to stop the spread of COVID-19, we’re looking to find things—cooking, making, connecting—that will sustain and nourish us in meaningful ways. As we strive to maintain our normal routines as best we can, we are also looking for beauty everywhere. Spring has arrived in north Alabama, and we’re fortunate to… Read on

“Our approach to Slow Design focuses on producing goods in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, where every action and every material has been thoughtfully considered. The intent is to design clothing that is made from sustainable materials using environmentally sound methods, resulting in beautiful, healthy, and long-lasting garments. We want to create connections with… Read on

“There is beauty in simplicity and even the most elaborate garments and patterns can be built upon basic techniques and simple stitches. But, just because something is simple doesn’t mean it isn’t important. When you build a business around such a philosophy as sustainability or slow design, as we strive to do, every small step… Read on

A big “thank you” to Laird Borrelli-Persson and Vogue for sharing a preview of our upcoming Collection. They recently spoke with Natalie about her work and 20 years of defining sustainability. You can find the story online here along with a lookbook of the upcoming Collection or read below:Fall 2020 Ready-to-WearAlabama ChaninVogue, February 29, 2020 “We’ve… Read on

Our long-term partnership with Patagonia creates the Reclaimed Down Scarf, which represents a circular economy method of manufacturing that reflects sustainability by upcycling. We’ve restocked the accessory once since the holiday season, but they continue to sell out as quickly as our team can make them. The following Patagonia stores have select product availability. Stop in or… Read on

Our Core Essentials collection recently received a refresh and now brings together everyday basics from the Collection and Leisure in one place on AlabamaChanin.com. Along with the refresh, we have introduced a range of new styles. Take a closer look at each of these—carefully designed and made by our team with timeless style, comfortable fit,… Read on

Since 2017, we have been offering Core Club, a selection of our favorite pieces that can be styled together or paired with your existing wardrobe. Core Club is made up of four styles bundled together with 20% savings. And for the first time, we are combining styles from our classic Collection and Leisure collection into one Core Club offering.  The new… Read on

As part of The Year of Color, 2020’s yearlong exploration of creativity through color, we are delving more deeply into one of our inspirations, Lidewij – or Li – Edelkoort, one of the world’s most trusted trend forecasters. She has worked for a wide array of companies, from Coca-Cola, to Nissan, to Prada, Disney, Shiseido,… Read on

Alabama Chanin Core Essential styles are the building blocks of a modern wardrobe. Traditionally, our Core styles have represented a range of Collection basics. As our designs have expanded over the years to introduce the Leisure collection, the foundations of our wardrobe offerings have grown. Core Essentials now combine both Collection and Leisure basics in… Read on

Our Gilded Collection offers a selection of elevated garment styles—freshly updated for cooler weather. The wide variety means that there is something to suit everyone’s taste. It also means that there is something well suited to every body type. Explore the coat and jacket styles that we’ve created and adapted for this time of year… Read on

It will be 20 years this spring since I cut up that first t-shirt and hand stitched it back together.  About this time in 2000, I would have just been getting ready to leave Venezuela and Nelly’s Kitchen and heading towards New York City to begin the adventure that has become Alabama Chanin. I’ve survived… Read on

The Florence and Muscle Shoals areas are steeped in history – from music like the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and W. C. Handy’s Jazz Fest, to Helen Keller’s birthplace at Ivy Green, to architecture like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Rosenbaum House (which is featured in our new Leisure collection). Alabama Chanin constantly draws inspiration from our… Read on

Back in August of 2019 friend, badass, swimwear designer, and founder of the “love thy differences” movement, Malia Mills, joined us at The Factory with her team for a Pop-Up Shop. Natalie and the Alabama Chanin team have long been fans of Malia’s mission and expertly designed swimwear and ready-to-wear pieces that celebrate and flatter… Read on

What do we mean when we talk about “self-care”? There are many ways to nurture oneself, but self-care focuses on a few different areas – our physical self, our work self, our emotional self, our spiritual self, our mental self, and more. In essence, our whole selves. Though we may think of the concept as… Read on

In her book, Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes, author Dana Thomas explores the heart of the modern fashion world – exposing a fundamentally broken system, while also highlighting those who are developing solutions to deep-seated problems, and offering options for consumers on how to improve their shopping habits.   Thomas writes in… Read on

“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” – Jean Shinoda Bolen The dictionary defines “retreat” as a verb, “to withdraw to a quiet or secluded place.” With a daily life that is full of commitments to others,… Read on

“I have the nerve to walk my own way, however hard, in my search for reality, rather than climb upon the rattling wagon of wishful illusions.” ― Zora Neale Hurston Author, anthropologist, and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston was born on January 7th, 1891 (129 years ago this Tuesday) in Notasulga, Alabama. In honor of her… Read on

This year – 2020 – will mark the 20th year of the company now called Alabama Chanin. While we have changed and grown over the years, our purpose has largely remained the same. Our values are steadfast. What began as a kind of experiment has grown into a company and a way of life that… Read on

Celebrate the holidays with us at The Factory’s annual Holiday Market. We’re excited to offer you the opportunity to do your holiday shopping at Alabama Chanin. While The Factory Store is open Monday through Friday from 10am – 5pm with gift selections from the Collection, Leisure, Cook + Dine, The School of Making, and other… Read on

Comfy enough for relaxing at home but elevated enough for streetwear, our new Leisure pieces crafted from lush 100% organic medium-weight cotton jersey are available now in time for the holidays.  The cozy and refined Jogger Pant, with a flattering tapered leg and pull-on elastic waist, pairs with The Hoodie for a modern take on… Read on

The holidays will be here before you know it and Alabama Chanin has released our Collection Gift Guide – full of inspiration and a curated selection of gifts for the home, table, and wardrobe. To add ambiance and beauty to the home, shop our vinyl collection and coffee-table books like Vitamin T, which celebrates tapestry,… Read on

Timeless basics with impeccable fits are the foundations of any wardrobe. Here at Alabama Chanin we have gathered our essential Core styles into two curated collections: The Alabama Chanin Core Club and the Leisure Core Club. Available in your choice of either Natural, Concrete, Navy, or Black 100% Organic Cotton fabrics, the Alabama Chanin Core… Read on

Monograms have been used for many things over time. They first appeared on coins; they have been employed by artists to sign their work; Charlemagne utilized them extensively to spread his name across the lands that he conquered. Royalty and military organizations have used them to denote stature. By nature, the monogram is a simple… Read on

As a continuation our book review series about vintage embroidery books, we explore Design in Embroidery by Kathleen Whyte with contributing writer and textile artist Elaine Lipson. See previous posts on The Art of Embroidery by Françoise Tellier-Loumagne and Design for Artists and Craftsmen by Louis Wolchonok. Today’s explosion of interest in stitching owes a… Read on

“To do good, you actually have to do something.” – Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia At Alabama Chanin, we have long been inspired by the work that Patagonia does to manufacture responsibly and create the smallest possible footprint when producing their garments. In 2014, we began a collaboration with them that allows us to put… Read on

Our updated Leisure Collection launches today. Highlighting colorways that reflect natural skin tones and neutral colors, we photographed part of this collection at the iconic Rosenbaum Home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Along with a revamped color scheme, we introduce new, cozy styles. The Camisole and Camisole Dress are hand-sewn versions of our machine-made Tank… Read on

Sure to be core staples in your wardrobe are The Scoop and The Scoop Dress. Offering a feminine, rounded neckline that is not too low or too high, these pieces offer a fitted, yet tailored look with your choice of four sleeve options: sleeveless, short, elbow, and long. Each style can be dressed up or… Read on

Over the last few years, Alabama Chanin has added pants to our repertoire of garments – with great success. Because our pant options have become so popular, we updated our Collection to include The Gilded Pant. This style is perfect for colder weather, but comfortable enough to be worn year-round. The Gilded Pant is made… Read on

The new Avis Top is a perfect example of the updated Gilded Collection style. While elegant in shape and design, it is as comfortable as casual wear and highlights all of our construction and embellishment practices. The Cadence embroidered design borrows its shape from musical notes, instruments, and the flow of sound itself. Made from… Read on

Well we all shine on Like the moon and the stars and the sun. Well we all shine on Everyone John Lennon This time of year, sunrises reflect a special shine on the dew of the changing leaves. As the sun begins to rise and set earlier, day by day, we appreciate the light more… Read on

“There is a time in the last few days of summer when the ripeness of autumn fills the air” Rudolpho Anaya Autumn: the end of summer, as daylight becomes shorter and temperatures begin to cool. The word “autumn” came into favor in the late fourteenth century with the usage of “automne” in Old French, derived… Read on

This summer we created some lightweight jersey garments, designed for comfort during the warmer months. They have proven to be popular and have served their exact purpose of keeping the wearer cool and relaxed. Two of our favorite styles are The Shirt Dress and the Tailored Tunic. They offer three sleeve lengths: sleeveless, short-sleeved, and… Read on

The Labor Day holiday ushers in the final farewell to summer with a long weekend and gatherings with friends and family. Your table is the gathering place for these get togethers and Alabama Chanin’s Cook + Dine collection has all you will need to lay your most welcoming table. We have partnered with our friends… Read on

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. – Lao Tzu Our newest Gilded Collection offers some garments that flow and drape loosely over the body. These tent-style dresses move with your… Read on

We’re excited to host our friend and designer Sophie Simmons for a pop-up of her inspiring collection of underpinnings at The Factory, August 22-24.[ Spending her time between Paris and the United States, Sophie grew up wearing dessous passed down from her grandmother. These Swiss-made, French underpinnings were delicate and feminine, but durable enough for… Read on

Since ancient times makers have adorned their most precious pieces with gold.  Egyptians overlaid their sarcophagi with gold leaf. The Chinese enveloped pottery and textiles in gold. Greeks and Romans embellished their marble and wood with this precious metal. The age-old craft of gilding has been practiced for centuries and it is these works, partnered… Read on

Inspired by the designs in classic works of abstract art, the Figures pattern adorns our favorite Collection pieces that are crafted from luxurious rib-knit fabric. The bold pattern is hand-painted onto each piece with our custom gold-tone paint, giving each garment a soft metallic finish. Since its debut, Figures has been painted on the Navy,… Read on

“Summer gathered in the weather, the wind had the proper touch, the breathing of the world was long and warm and slow. You had only to rise, lean from your window, and know that this was the first real time of freedom and living; this was the first morning of summer.” – Ray Bradbury, Dandelion… Read on

 ˈgild   Transitive verb to overlay with or as if with a thin covering of gold Reminiscent of the soft gold of warm summer sunsets, our Gilded Collection debuts today, bringing with it new pieces and new color ways to the Alabama Chanin Collection. The highlight of this collection is the distinct gilded fabric – the… Read on

Alabama Chanin has collaborated with Heath Ceramics for many fruitful years, since our first tableware collection launched in 2011. What was then called the “point of intersection between stitch and clay” has become an ongoing partnership. Most recently, we worked with Heath to create our new hand-etched line of necklaces. The jewelry collaboration is part… Read on

Blue is intensity—from a deep state of mind to the brightest sunny day. Our colors Venetian and Glass allow you to live in your body in the realest way, regardless of the color of the sky. They wrap you in comfort and reflect your mood in a comforting way. Venetian, meaning of the city of… Read on

Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air. – Ralph Waldo Emerson Summer is almost here, and we hope it offers you an opportunity for relaxation. Our new Leisure Collection pieces are ready to bring some respite to your life, whether you are able to vacation or not. The Leisure… Read on

“There is nothing but beauty and order, Luxury, peace, and pleasure.” – Excerpt from “L’invitation au voyage” by Charles Baudelaire While the solstice marks the true beginning of summer on June 21st, many of us consider Memorial Day weekend to be the unofficial start of the season. Summer break, lazy days, dips in the pool,… Read on

New to the collection are the Alina Tunic and Alina Dress. Tailored yet comfortable, these styles are favorites and flattering on a range of body types with their A-line shape that is fitted at the bust and flares slightly to the hip. The higher, crew-style neckline is perfect for styling with a long necklace, like… Read on

Since 2014, Building 14 and a dedicated team of sewers have produced machine-sewn garments and accessories one at a time, with one sewer working a piece from start to finish. Today, we add brand new machine-sewn styles to The Collection, as well as a few revamped classics – all made by our production team in… Read on

“Water does not resist. Water flows.” – Margaret Atwood Capturing natural beauty and the natural world. Enchanting both inside and outside. That’s the idea behind our Leisure Collection. The collection’s versatility moves through the seasons with comfortable stretch knits in rib and cozy knits in waffle. You choose. Find more to love, like our tank… Read on

“There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” ― Jane Austen, Emma Alabama Chanin’s Leisure Collection gets a refresh tomorrow with revamped classics and the addition of a few new pieces that are sure to become favorites. With relaxation on our minds, this week we share some of our favorite refreshing and easy… Read on

A favorite was reintroduced in the Collection with the relaunch of Natalie’s Pullover during our Spring refresh. The new Natalie’s Pullover retains the comfort we love with draping sides, a loose, flowing fit, and generous sleeves that can be worn long or rolled up, while adding in-seam pockets and hand painted stripe details. Two new… Read on

As the Project Threadways Symposium approaches, we are excitedly finishing up last minute details and getting the final product ready for you to view. These details include completing our exhibition, which will be on display at The Factory. Our documents and oral histories will be presented and include quotes from former textile workers like Sherri… Read on

Our Leisure Collection is proudly made at our own factory, which is housed in an old sewing plant that was in operation during the 1980s and 1990s. Our manufacturing practices remain true to the mission Natalie set in place when she created Alabama Chanin—designing and producing clothing that sustains the tradition of craft in our… Read on

Pat Hammond has an incredible kite collection; she has assembled a group of hundreds of kites over the last couple of decades. They have been gathered from all over the world and showcased in the Smithsonian and the Museum of Modern Art. Author Christopher Ornelas discovered Hammond’s work and documented her process and collections in… Read on

the kindest words my father said to me women like you drown oceans – rupi kaur The body makes complicated curves, and they bend, stand, and turn in intricate ways. The female form in particular can be a study in softness and power—more of one than the other, and the reverse. We have been taught to… Read on

Think thermal, but so much better. Our Waffle Sweatshirt is made from 100% organic cotton—and is seed-to-shelf Made in America. This pullover top is perfect for layering in cool and warm weather with two sleeve-length options: a “sleeveless” drop shoulder and an extended, ready-to-cuff long sleeve. With a modern funnel neck and lightweight trims that… Read on

Organic cotton waffle knit and soft rib knit are the basis of our Leisure collection. Offering both a sturdy, insulated fabric and a light, stretchy fabric has allowed us to design lounge separates in a variety of styles from intimates to layering pieces to a casual pullover for outside wear. These styles are pieces we… Read on

Blue: one of the three primary colors. In Dutch, it is blauw; in Irish, gorm. In the ancient world, blue was the color of the working class. It can convey trust, loyalty, cleanliness, and understanding. It may also be associated with sadness and longing. Henri Matisse once wrote that, “A certain blue penetrates your soul.”… Read on

Burt’s Bees is among the most prominent brands in America with a sustainable approach to doing business. Their ingredients and packaging are simple, natural, and responsible. The company describes itself as “a bunch of hands-on, tree-hugging, greased elbow do-gooders,” and we believe that is among dozens of reasons why Burt’s Bees Baby is a natural… Read on

On the heels of our Alabama Chanin x Heath Ceramics jewelry collaboration, we spoke with Rosalie Wild, Product Designer at Heath Ceramics, who gives us a more in-depth look at the hand-etched Alabama Chanin jewelry line, how it’s made, and how the materials are sourced. AC: Are the bars themselves produced from ceramic “scraps”? RW:… Read on

We’ve been partnering with friend and fellow Alabamian Gina Locklear of Little River Sock Mill for four years to create a line of Made in the USA, organic cotton socks that complement our collections. Our most recent designs (stripe shortie, crew, and tall) launched alongside the Leisure Collection last month and match the quality and… Read on

Our seven-year long collaboration with Heath Ceramics began in 2011 with hand-etched dinnerware ceramics. Founded in 1948 by Edith Heath, Heath Ceramics is run by Cathy Bailey and Robin Petravic, who both have a deep background in design. While our collaboration has been ongoing, it’s been a few years since we worked deeply with Heath… Read on

Cedric Burnside’s love for music was born in a juke joint, alongside his grandfather, legendary singer, songwriter, and guitarist R.L. Burnside. Though Cedric seeks to pay tribute to the man he calls “Big Daddy” and his own father, blues drummer Calvin Jackson, he blends elements of their styles with his own contemporary vibe. He played… Read on

Since 2014, we have worked with Patagonia on a beautiful circular design project, the Reclaimed Down Scarf. The goal of circular design is for every product to reflect sustainability from the beginning of life as a raw material, through design, manufacturing, active life, and end-of-life processes. Garments that reach the end of their lives become… Read on

In the late 1830s, English Botanist Anna Atkins likely was not too interested in the specifics of photography. Atkins was formally trained as a botanist and, at the time, was studying algae. Through her practice, she was looking for a way to document the delicate elements of each specimen. She learned of the process of… Read on

Through Bldg. 14—the design and manufacturing operation of Alabama Chanin which focuses on machine sewn garments and goods—we have been able to create a line of accessibly priced, 100% organic cotton t-shirts. The Clean Tees were released in early summer and take inspirations from streetwear, athleisure, and a casual lifestyle to create unisex styles. The… Read on

Over the years our Bridal Collection has evolved from designs intended for wedding attire to a broader collection of formal, special occasion, and evening wear. And now you’ll find a new way to get acquainted with our Bridal + Evening offerings through an updated section of our website. Everything that we create has a custom… Read on

“The mirror reflects all objects without being sullied.” – Confucius Such is the intent of the elaborate embroideries in our most recent Collection. By mirroring each delicate design, they become more substantial, all while ensuring the garment’s femininity. Our design team has long had a love affair with vintage embroideries—the soft and lacy feel of… Read on

We are continually looking for quality companies to partner with on Alabama Chanin items and, once again, we are honored to showcase a collaboration with Maine-based operation, Swans Island Company. They have a team of craftspeople who marry old techniques with technology to produce handcrafted pieces. We find a kinship with them because of their… Read on

Depending on when you were born, the turtleneck may bring to mind any number of things: 1950s chic, 1960s bohemian, 1970s women’s activists, or (record scratch) 1990s Jerry Seinfeld-era goofiness. But the wonderful thing about a turtleneck is its timelessness. This particular style in our recent round of Collection updates is inspired by Natalie’s closet… Read on

Within our Core styles, our design team refers to the garments in various ways. They think about the garments by their way of construction: hand-sewn by our artisans who work out of their homes or machine-sewn by the Bldg. 14 team who works at The Factory. Or they associate them by fabric type: our signature… Read on

Our Collection evolution continues with the introduction of new everday styles, embroideries, and colors. These updates tie together the work Natalie and our design team have created earlier in 2018 with what’s to come. We have quite a few updates to share and present them below in an easy-to-follow outline. NATALIE’S DRESS, TUNIC, AND PULLOVER… Read on

Our Family of Businesses includes customer service as a deep part of its mission statement and vision for business.  We strive to build relationships on trust and quality. Our interactions and bonds with our guests over the last two decades have helped us learn how to grow and adapt. After listening to your shopping questions… Read on

Graffiti is a form of expression, a way to state things (i.e. funny, political, or otherwise), and can be found in any place. We’re using our graffiti in defense of clean cotton, safe fashion, and a healthy environment. Wear it alone. Mix it with other graffiti. Layer it. Tie your hair back with it. Belt… Read on

During June 2018, Natalie took month-long respite and creative journey during her residency at The Hambidge Center in the woods of north Georgia. She reflects on her time there and shares her experience for which she is eternally grateful: In the summer of 2017, I was going through what will always be known to me… Read on

It is almost impossible for us to believe, but we have reached the fifth anniversary of the creation of Bldg. 14 – the manufacturing arm of Alabama Chanin. This has been one of our most collaborative enterprises and represents the elements of what our company stands for: sustainability, creativity, design innovation, promoting the living arts,… Read on

Created in 1934 by Mary Hambidge, the Hambidge Center for Creative Arts & Sciences is an artist community and sustainable farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia, founded in memory of artist Jay Hambidge—Mary’s partner who introduced her to her life’s work, weaving. After retiring from work as a popular vaudeville whistler (with her… Read on

The “Summer of the T-shirt” continues, and today we introduce a (very) limited-edition run of one-of-a-kind graffiti tees as part of our new capsule collection, “Graffiti: Red, White, and Blue”. The tees are made from recycled cotton t-shirts and are a callback to the early days of Alabama Chanin (more on that here) and Natalie’s… Read on

It’s the summer of the T-shirt at Alabama Chanin. Next Tuesday, we’re launching The Clean Tee program from our Bldg. 14 manufacturing facility. Later in the summer, we’ll introduce one-of-a-kind “graffiti tees”—each hand sewn and uniquely stenciled. Today, to kick off the summer of the T-shirt, we share inspiration and insight about the T-shirt from The… Read on

When last fall’s collection launched, it included Alabama Chanin’s embroidered take on a graphic tee, which was hand embroidered with the phrase “Air Love” as a nod to our beginning as a company and to living with air and love alone. We’ve adapted the graphic tee to a version that accommodates the summer heat—the Air… Read on

While developing new styles for the Collection, the design team began using “inside out skirt” as our development name for a new skirt style—and the name stuck. The meaning of the phrase “inside out” evokes thoughts of transparency and exposing what is hidden on the inside—whether physically or metaphorically. While there is a literal placement… Read on

In March, we introduced new Collection designs on the Spring Equinox. Two months later, as we begin to dip our toes into summer, we expand on the Collection with a handful of new designs to welcome the change of seasons. Even though our designs are not classed to a particular season, we do find inspiration… Read on

Now a member of our production team, Ryan Laine began working at Alabama Chanin in The Factory Café in 2016. Over time, she expressed interest in the making process, and she transitioned to the cutting department where she cuts the garment patterns for our hand-sewn garments and DIY Kits. Ryan was born and raised in Florence… Read on

Victoria McCoy grew up and was home-schooled in Huntsville, a city in northern Alabama located near Florence. She moved to Florence in 2010 to go to college where she received her degree in psychology from the University of North Alabama. Victoria uses her sewing skills to create costumes for local theater groups and is also… Read on

Luda Matmurtova has been a member of our production team since 2013. She moved to our community from Uzbekistan nine years ago and has incredible hand sewing and embroidery skills. Luda loves to bake cakes and meat pies, and we often find a freshly made dessert in our staff kitchen from her. She is an… Read on

Fashion Revolution Week is part of the year-round Fashion Revolution movement that encourages consumers to look more deeply into the fashion industry, with the ultimate intention of making clothing in a safe, clean, and fair way, the norm – across the world. This year, Fashion Revolution Week runs from April 23 – 29th and it… Read on

Geometric lines and spring florals layer over core styles, creating one-of-a-kind looks for the artist at work and in life. (We interpret the word artist loosely and encourage you to find a creative energy unique to you.) Our artist smocks and double-breasted dresses feature pockets and princess seams—functional and feminine details. We offer basic hand-stitched… Read on

Winters are spent hibernating, resting up and recharging, planning and starting things anew. And then, every spring, the world awakens. Color reintroduces itself into our lives. The emergence of blooms and buds changes our landscape. Our design team spent early winter in the final stages of developing spring dresses for our Collection. They looked to… Read on

We’re loving the early spring moodiness of our current Collection—heavy in Twilight, Navy, and Black—as we transition seasons. Friends and photographers Rinne Allen and Christy Bush collaborated on the shoot from their home base of Athens, Georgia. Below Rinne discovers beauty around Athens in her co-collaborative book with Kristen Bach and Rebecca Wood, Beauty Everyday…. Read on

With the recent update of the Alabama Chanin Core Club, we want to take a moment to shine a spotlight on our Core Essentials—basic organic knit styles intended for everyday wear. They are designed and made by us in our Bldg. 14 manufacturing facility based out of our Alabama studio. Core Essentials include both hand… Read on

Introduced last May, the Alabama Chanin Core Club highlights the artistry and craftsmanship of our ethical machine manufacturing and hand sewing. Featured in Vogue, it includes five “starter” organic knit styles that incorporate seamlessly into your existing wardrobe. The separates also pa­ir together to create multiple outfits and looks on their own. Last winter, we introduced… Read on

American artist Louise Nevelson has been an inspiration for several elements of our style aesthetic for some time now. The textural and stylistic elements of her sculpture have found their way into our collection a few times, particularly with the Tweed fabric design in our Bridal + Eveningwear Collection. Its sculptural qualities can find parentage… Read on

Bldg. 14 was founded in 2013 as a means to produce quality, machine-sewn garments for ourselves and also to provide manufacturing opportunities to designers who want to make in the United States (like us) and work with our organic fabrics. Since its inception, we’ve collaborated with Patagonia, Stella Ishii, Heath Ceramics, and Billy Reid. Our… Read on

We’re longing for warmer weather and thinking about late spring and early summer when our cardigans transform from layering pieces to simply “outerwear”. Here are three variations on the classic cardigan design. We love their range of fabrics and fit. The Crop Cardigan One of the first machine-sewn styles we developed through our machine manufacturing… Read on

This Valentine’s Day, plan a night in—our Leisure Collection makes lounging comfortable, stylish, and sustainable. Dare we say you might even wear some of the garments out into the world. We’ve designed undergarments and layering styles like our tank, boyshorts, and a long sleep dress in soft organic cotton rib-knit and a cozy cardigan, turtleneck,… Read on

Going into 2017, we knew there would be a lot in store. We launched a new website, several new collections, and brand new programming (like the Alabama Chanin Core Club). Our Bldg. 14 team really brought it this year, completing production for Alabama Chanin while having other special manufacturing projects under their belts for Patagonia,… Read on

In 2014, we began an incredible partnership with Patagonia repurposing down jackets into one-of-a-kind scarves. The Reclaimed Down Scarf was developed as a solution for the jacket’s end-of-life problem—where does it go now? Patagonia’s Worn Wear Program allows you to trade in fully functioning Patagonia clothing and receive a credit. The down jackets that are… Read on

We have often expressed our preference for cooking with cast iron. Cast iron pans are workhorse tools that, when properly cared for, can last for decades. It is a sustainable choice and a well-seasoned skillet forms a non-stick surface. Plus, once it’s hot, it really stays hot. While we have not abandoned our heirloom skillets… Read on

Our first foray into robe-making, the Waffle Robe is a kimono style cover-up that can be worn as a housecoat or bathrobe. With its super soft, waffle weave, this well-designed luxury robe features lightweight jersey trims, deep front pockets, wide cropped sleeves, and a waist tie with belt loops. Find the organic Waffle Robe here…. Read on

Our Leisure Collection offers everything you’ll need to get cozy at home—organic knit loungewear, soft throws, soulful music, and sweet treats. Wrap up, make a Brandy Milk Punch (pg. 9 of the Southern Foodways Alliance Guide to Cocktails) or bake up a batch of cookies (The Cherry Bombe Cookbook shares a recipe for Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip),… Read on

A culmination of our favorite Core Essential styles, the Alabama Chanin Core Club includes five styles bundled together in one shipment with over 20% savings. Featured in Vogue, the Alabama Chanin Core Club provides a perfect sampling of basic pieces to take your wardrobe through the year. The styles include The Easy Dress with cap… Read on

As we mentioned in our New Bridal + Evening introduction post, the texture of the Tweed pattern is partly inspired by classic tweed fabrics and jackets—and the layering of various textures and types of organic cotton fabrics creates an original textile, all its own. The design team has been developing our Tweed pattern for two… Read on

Our Collections feature new garment styles, including different varieties of smocks—inspired in part by the workwear of seminal female artists like Lee Bontecou, Louise Bourgeois, and Barbara Hepworth. Hepworth particularly kept to a distinctive style of work garments like aprons, hooded jackets, and the beloved smock. Hepworth was a British sculptor whose career spanned five decades,… Read on

Layer up this fall with our new Collection styles. We’ve added basic and embellished apron-smock designs that were originally introduced in our Signature | Eveningwear Collection. Our fitted and stretchy rib Core Essentials wear beautifully underneath these styles. P.S.: Read more about our Collection here and look for artist inspiration on the Journal. View our… Read on

This post has been updated from the original post on October 17, 2017. We’re revisiting our love of Lee Bontecou as our most recent Marine update is inspired by the words and life of Zora Neale Hurston, and the artistry of Vija Celmins (more coming soon), and Bontecou. Lee Bontecou has always been difficult to categorize, as her work reflects elements of Minimalism, Abstract Expressionism, and Feminist art. She was a true pioneer in the… Read on

In the past, we have looked to other artists’ personal styles to inspire elements of our Collections—Frida Kahlo, Anni Albers, and Georgia O’Keeffe, to name a few. As part of our most recent Signature | Eveningwear Collection, our design team was drawn to the idea of the artist at work—how artists can combine their media,… Read on

The Alabama Chanin Signature | Eveningwear Collection is designed with distinctive style in mind—so that you will have a special piece for your special occasion. To complement a unique sense of style, we introduce new designs for evening and reintroduce classic Bridal silhouettes in our new collection. The color palette includes a traditional White, along… Read on

Part of our newest Collection includes our first garments made from organic chambray fabric, courtesy of organic cotton pioneer Sally Fox. Sally was an invaluable resource for Alabama Chanin + Billy Reid as we tackled our challenging experiment in growing organic cotton in Alabama. She has worked for decades experimenting with colored cotton and researching… Read on

Natalie lived and worked as a stylist and filmmaker at the tail end of the 1990s before landing in New York to begin the great, big adventure that ultimately became Alabama Chanin. If you don’t know about Natalie’s journey, look back at this post, this post, and this post on our Journal and listen to… Read on

Hello new Alabama Chanin Collection: new colors, new garment styles, new stencils and patterns, and—for the first time—a new organic chambray fabric. As always, we have styled our designs that these pieces work seamlessly alongside our classic silhouettes and new Core Essentials. Black Walnut, Vetiver, and Tea Dye complement our current color scheme and can… Read on

This September is shaping up to be a big month for us here at Alabama Chanin. Last week, we launched our brand spanking new website while Alabama Chanin—in its current structure—turned 11 years old. Today (the day after 9/11), Natalie celebrates another turn around the sun. (Happy Birthday, Natalie…here’s to another big, beautiful year.) And… Read on

Ashley’s Pullover Collection launched earlier this summer and features designs available for a limited time. Inspired by chef Ashley’s all-time favorite shirt, the collection uses organic cotton jersey and machine-sewn artistry to create functional and flattering styles. Read back on the Journal to learn all about James Beard award-winning chef Ashley Christensen and our collaboration…. Read on

This month, we began expanding our jewelry options with unique porcelain cameo rings and pendants designed and created by Marcie McGoldrick. The New York-based artist spent 16 years working at Martha Stewart Omnimedia—starting as a product developer for the “Martha by Mail” catalog, before transitioning to craft editor for Martha Stewart publications, and eventually to… Read on

Fashion accessories are one of the most effective ways for a wearer to add his or her personal style to an outfit. Over the years, traditional jewelry in gems and precious metals, bags, gloves, hats, stockings, even hair or tattoos have been used as some form of accessory—to define a “look” and express one’s mood… Read on

If you attended or read about any of our Makeshift events, you already know how much we respect and admire designer Maria Cornejo. She has been both conscious and vocal about fashion’s impact on the environment for many years—certainly before “sustainability” became a buzz word. Much of her design approach focuses on efficiency, and so… Read on

Putting together an outfit can be a seamless task—or take a couple of tries to get the right combination. Today, we show you simple examples of how to pair and wear our latest Core Essentials. The Halter Keep it simple by pairing The Halter (our newest style) with pants or a skirt in the same… Read on

Sunset is the perfect balance of a bright and muted pink hue, making this color a customer favorite this summer. Introduced in our Core Essentials, Sunset is now available in our hand-embroidered Sylvan design with and without beaded details. A selection of our Collection garments is crafted entirely by hand. Some pieces feature a combination… Read on

Sylvan was introduced in our Collection in April. The design reflects on a natural, pastoral world. Garments embellished with the Sylvan design are bold and yet delicate, combining components of nature with the beauty of the forest. We’ve added decorative elements by embroidering beads and sequins in various places on the garments. The moments glisten—much… Read on

Garment sizing is an issue that all women contend with—and an issue we have had many conversations about here at Alabama Chanin. One of the key components of our book, Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns was instruction on how to customize garments to fit your unique body shape—whatever it may be. In an effort to expand… Read on

Since America’s earliest days, individuals have used clothing and fashion to project their social status and political ideals. Even the first colonists used clothing to demonstrate their wealth or political status. Purchasing power meant social prominence and cultural importance. Some communities, like the Puritans and Amish communities, used their clothing as a different type of… Read on

“Nothing is less real than realism ― details are confusing. It is only by selection, by elimination, by emphasis, that we get the real meaning of things.” – Georgia O’Keeffe Georgia O’Keeffe is undoubtedly considered one of America’s greatest and most influential painters. She was a key figure in the emergence and advancement of American modernism… Read on

As part of the creative process, inspiration comes from sources both expected and unexpected. We have found that surrounding ourselves with creative and generous artists and individuals naturally motivates us to do better work. We have been lucky to build relationships with truly like-minded people with whom collaboration is easy—just natural extensions of our relationships…. Read on

What makes a pink sunset? The colors of the sunset result from a phenomenon called scattering, a scientific term used to describe the reflection or re-direction of light by small particles. Scattering affects the color of light coming from the sky, but the details are determined by the wavelength of the light and the size… Read on

Photographer and artist, Rinne Allen lives and works in Athens, Georgia (though she also travels the world taking pictures. Follow her on Instagram for a glimpse.) She is deeply committed to her community, having co-founded a children’s school for creative arts and working with the University of Georgia on special arts programming. It’s an understatement… Read on

The Sylvan stencil is one of Alabama Chanin’s most intricate and involved yet—mimicking the details of its namesake (the woods). The design groups leaves, flowers, petals, and stems showcasing various embroidery stitches and techniques. The Lark Tee and Liza Dress are machine-sewn garments that feature Sylvan hand embroidery, which adds depth and texture to the… Read on

Alabama Chanin’s Core Essentials have been around since 2013, beginning with a collection of hand-sewn basic styles. We mapped the evolution of those designs a few weeks ago on the Journal, and more recently shared a fit guide for our tops and tunics. Today, we share a guide to our Core Essential skirts, pants, and… Read on

In 1971, Robert Tharsing moved to Lexington to work as a painting instructor at the University of Kentucky. Geographically, he was thousands of miles from his home state of California; culturally he was perhaps even further removed. On the West Coast, he had grown up near Los Angeles and later studied painting at UC Berkeley… Read on

The Alabama Chanin Core Club takes your wardrobe through spring, summer, and fall with our signature cotton jersey and rib-knit pieces. Delivering a selection of our favorite Core Essentials, the new offering from our Collection includes five styles bundled together in one shipment with over 20% savings. The featured styles include The Easy Dress, The Rib Skirt,… Read on

Anni Albers challenged artists to reject “recipes” and repetition and the safety of what they know will work. She encouraged artists to step away from formulaic making strategies, replacing them “with the adventure of new exploring.” Her life and work are a mirror for finding rich complexity and diversity within simplicity. The photograph of Anni… Read on

The idea for our current Core Essentials began in 2013 with a collection of hand-sewn basic styles. Last week, we mapped the evolution of those designs and you can read that history here. Today, we share a guide to our Core Essential tops and tunics which fall in a price range from under $100 to just over… Read on

“A longing for excitement can be satisfied without external means within oneself: For creating is the most intense excitement one can come to know.” – Anni Albers Anni Albers, one of the original students trained at the Bauhaus school in Germany, was a true innovator in textile design. Though she worked as a multi-disciplinary artist,… Read on

In the earliest years of this company, Natalie Chanin was a “design team” of one—one person to dream and research and sketch and make. While she was lucky to have a talented team to consult with (people like Diane Hall and Steven Smith), the heavy lifting was done by a single person. As Alabama Chanin… Read on

“Sail on, silver girl. Sail on by… Your time has come to shine; all your dreams are on their way.” – Simon and Garfunkel Silver: a very malleable element that is capable of a high degree of polish. Its atomic number is 47 and its symbol on the periodic table of elements is Ag, from… Read on

The global fashion industry is notoriously opaque, and it depends upon exploitation of workers and environmentally damaging practices. It is an issue that we’ve spoken of many times and one that drives us to do our very best to remain as transparent in our methods and materials as possible. But for us, there is also… Read on

“Unto this wood I came as to a nest; dreaming that sylvan peace offered the harrowed ease—Nature a soft release from men’s unrest.” – Thomas Hardy Sylvan: of the woods; bucolic; idyllic; a mythical spirit of the forest Deriving from Medieval Latin, Sylvanus—one who frequents the woods. Sylvanus is a Roman god of the woods… Read on

“It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” – Mark Twain We’ve got spring fever – and the Alabama Chanin Collection… Read on

There’s more in store this spring, as the current Collection evolves—with the introduction of new styles, a new color, Navy, and a new stencil design. We continue to love Frida, and introduce more embroidered designs in Baby Blue and Concrete colorways. With a bold floral pattern, our newest stencil design complements the delicate Frida embroidery…. Read on

Our Core basic styles make the perfect canvas for our accessories—with recently updated colors and designs. Here are a few fresh looks for Spring. The Rib Crew and Indigo Slim Scarf The Rib Crew, The Rib Skirt, and Indigo Poncho The Rib Crew, The Rib Skirt, and The Suzanne Slim Scarf The Rib Crew, The… Read on

Rinne Allen, collaborator and inspiration behind our most recent capsule collection, is the creator of a series of photo essays titled “Harvest”, a number of which have been published by T Magazine, of The New York Times. The Harvest Series is a first-person look at our regional agricultural systems, examining the individuals who work in… Read on

We’re launching an expanded collection of core garments today and also updating our manufacturing model for these garments. Conserving natural resources is at the core of our mission statement. This means balancing our supply chain with lean method manufacturing in order to deliver the best possible product to our customers.  Every day we look for… Read on

Photographer and artist Rinne Allen’s Light Drawings were introduced at Alabama Chanin during the summer of 2015. At that time, the Alabama Chanin Collection featured Indigo textiles, and the blue cyanotypes resonated perfectly with our designs. In addition to her blue light drawings, Rinne also creates sepia-colored works of art, which are presented alongside our… Read on

One of the most fantastic things about surrounding yourself with creative people is that you are constantly inspired and challenged to look at ideas through new and ingenious lenses. Rinne Allen, a frequent collaborator, is someone who has a special skill for capturing moments—details that other people may not see. This quality has made our… Read on

In an introduction to her third book, Natalie writes, “I want to dress women like me, modern women who may not have perfect bodies or stylists to help them make wardrobe choices but who want to make their way through their busy lives with beauty and grace, who want to sustain valuable traditions and live… Read on

Donna Karan’s approach to design has been a recurring topic of conversation on our Journal and an ongoing source of design inspiration for Natalie. From a 2012 Journal post: Karan became a presence in the fashion world as the women’s rights movement found its footing in the 1970s and women began working in the business… Read on

Historically, wedding gowns have not always been made in the traditional white color that we think of today. It wasn’t until 1840, when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in a lace-trimmed, white silk gown that white was established as a bridal norm. Queen Victoria sourced regional textiles to use in her… Read on

The Alabama Chanin Signature | Bridal Collection features a range of dresses, skirts, tops, and accessories for special occasions, for the bride and her wedding party, and for black-tie events. Our organic cotton jersey garments are hand crafted and modern—and offer sustainable options for everyday elegance. While many of our garments are created with simplicity in… Read on

Among many recurring subjects in Frida Kahlo’s artwork are flowers, foliage, and fruits. She used this imagery to celebrate Mexican history and culture. The garden at her home, Casa Azul, was first started by her parents and was filled with ivy, roses, and apricot and orange trees. As an adult, Frida and her husband Diego… Read on

With the start of the new year, we’ve seen countless articles, podcasts, and books on organizing your home and life: clearing out clutter, taking on daily habits, and changing your way of thinking. While we make efforts to practice self-improvement each day, we appreciate the push to get back on the wagon that a new… Read on

Welcome to the new year. In the spirit of the fresh start a new year brings, we present a new Collection. About the Collection During the summer of 2016 on the Journal, we started an artist series that profiled female artists and designers like Frida Kahlo, Louise Nevelson, Clarie McCardell, Sonia Delaunay, and Anni Albers…. Read on

This season, we’ve launched new additions to our Collections that include our recent Holiday garments; we’ve also incorporated styling rib-knit basics, socks, and scarves. Today we announce two more styles that will complete our Collection for 2016. Our Madison and Piper Dresses introduce a hand-stenciled Flora design to our form-flattering Sleeveless and Long Sleeve Rib… Read on

Today, we’re introducing two new designs for our Stripe Tall and Stripe Shortie Socks. We’ve been working with Little River Sock Mill—who manufactures in Alabama—since 2014 to produce designs exclusively for Alabama Chanin. All of their socks are quality made from a blend of organic cotton, nylon, and elastic—providing amazing comfort and great fit. Our… Read on

The newest additions the Alabama Chanin Collection have intricate hand beading and hand embroidery for any special occasion. Choose your look. Style it up. THE KENNEDY DRESS THE EVELYN TUNIC THE DONOVAN COAT THE DOROTHY CARDIGAN THE DYLAN CREW THE BEADED LACE MAYA PONCHO P.S.: Some of our machine-sewn core pieces are pictured in multiple… Read on

Our Cook + Dine textiles help you set a beautiful table year-round. Mix and match our solid, colorblock, and hand-painted designs with varied materials and textures in your kitchen, like our Heath Ceramics dinnerware, Etched Glasses, and Shelter Collection glassware­—or your own pieces that have been gathered, passed down, and collected over the years. Made… Read on

We recently introduced our readers to The Commons, a Charleston-based shop selling responsibly produced, American-made goods for the home. Founders Erin Reitz and Kerry Speake curate a careful selection of high-quality, hand-crafted products. In 2015, Erin and Kerry launched a partnership with STARworks, a non-profit from Star, North Carolina, that focuses on supporting the local… Read on

There is sometimes no greater pleasure than planning for holiday get-togethers and the excitement that goes along with them. Many of us have traditions we look forward to all year, and family or friends that we only see on special occasions. There is meaning to be found in the —smallest things, from preparing a dish… Read on

Journal followers are likely familiar with one of the newer faces on our design team: Erin Reitz (née Connelly), who we have featured recently. Erin and business partner Kerry Clark Speake are co-founders of The Commons, a Charleston, South Carolina-based shop that sells high quality, local, and American-made housewares. In addition to the work at… Read on

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you.” – Walt Whitman We’re always looking toward the sunshine. (Pictured here: The Collier Tank, combining hand and machine sewn.)

Though the actual German Bauhaus school technically existed for a mere 14 years, its legacy undoubtedly continues to expand and flourish. The school, active during the years of the Weimar Republic, sought to unite artists of all disciplines in a utopian goal of designing a new world. Until broken up by the Nazis in 1933,… Read on

“Clothes are for real live women…They are made to be worn, to be lived in.” – Claire McCardell Claire McCardell is effectively the founder of American ready-to-wear fashion. Working from the 1930s through the 50s, McCardell was innovative because she designed clothing that was fashionable but also allowed women to move, breathe, and generally live… Read on

“He who knows how to appreciate color relationships, the influence of one color on another, their contrasts and dissonances, is promised an infinitely diverse imagery.” – Sonia Delaunay Sonia Delaunay (1885 – 1979), alongside her husband and fellow artist Robert Delaunay, co-founded the Orphism art movement, an offshoot of the Cubist style that focused on… Read on

“A longing for excitement can be satisfied without external means within oneself: For creating is the most intense excitement one can come to know.” – Anni Albers Anni Albers was a multi-disciplinary artist best remembered for her work in textile design. She trained at the Bauhaus school in Germany, where she met her future husband and… Read on

A few weeks back, we introduced Erin Connelly (now Reitz), the newest member of our design team. She co-owns a store dedicated to selling American-made goods for the home, called The Commons. But what we didn’t mention is that she has extensive experience and a deep passion for the design industry. Erin’s mother taught her… Read on

“I fell in love with black; it contained all color. It wasn’t a negation of color. It was an acceptance. Because black encompasses all colors. Black is the most aristocratic color of all… You can be quiet, and it contains the whole thing.” – Louise Nevelson American sculptor Louise Nevelson became known for her large, three-dimensional… Read on

Collection #30 was introduced—with the thought to combine machine- and hand-made pieces into the same line—as these garments are created using the same production processes, the same fabric, the same design team, and the same approach. From a design and development point-of-view, we now see that there should have never been a separation of the… Read on

We’re always on the lookout for companies and businesses that align with our values and principles—and we can’t emphasize enough how important it is to purchase domestically produced goods made with ethical, sustainable practices. Our collaborations with Patagonia and Heath Ceramics are perfect examples. This year, in support of other small businesses, we’re celebrating Independence… Read on

The newest member of our design team, Erin Connelly, has plenty of experience running a business of her own. On a road trip, she and close friend Kerry Speake had a conversation about the beautiful and quality-made home goods that their peers were creating. They decided to dedicate themselves to creating a place where one… Read on

Design*Sponge founder Grace Bonney began the design blog in 2004—according to her, on her lunch breaks at the office. Grace worked at or freelanced for many of the big design magazines: Domino, House & Garden, Craft New York Home, Food & Wine, In Style, Better Homes and Gardens. And so, she took the leap and decided… Read on

We previously shared The History of Tailoring and continue our series on fit with a comprehensive history of pattern making. In order to survive, human beings had to master the arts of creating and sustaining food, clothing, and shelter. As time went on, we became better at those tasks and began to create standards for what… Read on

The apron is a versatile garment—equally functioning to protect clothes from the dirtiest of labor, or to signify gentility and hospitality. It can be associated with cooking, cleaning, and hard work and, for many, is a symbol of home and humility, worn in the daily rituals of pulling a pan from the oven or wiping… Read on

I met Dr. Timo Rissanen several years ago, just as he was taking on the role of Assistant Professor of Fashion Design and Sustainability at Parsons School of Design. He is a pioneer in zero waste design, co-authoring Zero Waste Fashion Design with Holly McQuillan. If you’ve not heard of Zero waste, this genre of… Read on

For as long as we’ve known about their existence, we have been in love with Heath Ceramics. Their philosophies, their processes, their intentions—all align closely with our own. Our collaboration with Heath is our longest collaboration, dating back to 2011. When we partnered for our first collection together, they worked diligently to interpret the work… Read on

We often speak of collaboration and of creating a community of artists to share ideas. This philosophy is central to our artisan-based way of making. And when we stock our stores online and at The Factory, we offer a carefully curated selection of items that complement our own—always made by other artisans who follow a… Read on

In 1984, author Cara Greenberg wrote a book on home and furniture design from the 1950s, coining the phrase “mid-century modern” —which she also used it as the title, Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s. I recently unearthed this long-lost beauty of a book while reorganizing our studio library. Mid-Century Modern exemplifies the pinnacle of… Read on

While we are known for our elaborate hand-sewn, hand-embellished garments, collaboration has long been an integral part of our philosophy. My cousin’s family owns MTM Recognition in Princeton, Illinois, where they make an array of hand-made jewelry pieces produced by skilled craftsmen. When the opportunity to create jewelry together came up, the idea of capturing… Read on

As part of her first job in the fashion industry, Natalie spent a good bit of time in sample rooms—some of them denim sample rooms where new styles of blue jeans were being made every day. She remembers that the sample sewers, who were primarily from Spanish-speaking households, always referred to the yellow/orange thread used… Read on

In October, when Martha Stewart American Made announced the winners of their 2015 American Made Awards, we were thrilled to see a familiar face among the 10 honorees—our sock making collaborator, Little River Sock Mill. The American Made awards were developed a few years ago as a way to spotlight and support creative entrepreneurs and… Read on

Back in 1985, Donna Karan struck a chord with women across the world by introducing the concept of “7 Easy Pieces”—her collection of garments around which a woman could build an entire wardrobe. She created a system of dressing where a few interchangeable garments, used in different combinations, would create a versatile closet of stylish… Read on

Longtime collaborator Rinne Allen is a skillful storyteller in that she sets the stage, creates a visual narrative, and allows you to see through her same lens – without being heavy-handed. It is her light touch that allows Rinne to present her subjects in the best, most straight-forward, and appropriate manner but allows those subjects,… Read on

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way—things I had no words for. —Georgia O’Keeffe In geometry, a square is a regular quadrilateral; it has four equal sides and four equal 90-degree angles. A square is also technically a rhombus, a kite, a parallelogram, a quadrilateral, and… Read on

Ochre: a natural earth pigment containing hydrated iron oxide Vermeer used ochre extensively when painting flesh tones. Ochre is the color of harvest, of autumn wheat, and heavenly bodies. Gold Leaf: gold that has been hammered into thin sheets The golden bough, sought by Aeneas to protect himself as he journeyed into Hades. And here:… Read on

With our newest collection, we are introducing garment styles new to the Alabama Chanin wardrobe. Perhaps the most notable new addition is the Half Skirt. Similar to an apron, it wraps around the body and is secured with a waist tie. The intention of the Half Skirt is to add variety to your wardrobe with… Read on

This week, we are pleased to launch Alabama Chanin Collection #29—with never before seen garment styles and stencils. Natalie has been working for many years to grow a talented design team that understands our company mission and helps advance the design story we tell with each collection. The garments are presented in four main colors—Natural,… Read on

The Alabama Chanin Journal was unofficially launched back in 2006. In those early days, there was no editorial staff (or much staff at all). There was just Natalie and a couple of friends who pitched in here and there. The early blog posts had little in the way of structured format or consistent subject matter…. Read on

It’s no secret that we at Alabama Chanin have long been admirers of Heath Ceramics—their work, their approach to responsible manufacturing, and their embrace of beautiful, sustainable design sets them apart from so many companies today. We have also been honored (and excited) to collaborate with them on several projects, including a line of dinnerware,… Read on

I met Stella Ishii over a decade ago, as I was just beginning to define who I was as a designer. She was simultaneously likeable and intimidating—but intimidating only because of her impressive resume and effortless cool. She began her career in fashion not because she was fluent in design technique—but because she was fluent… Read on

This week, we take another look at the lives our clothes have led and the memories forever linked with them. For some reason, we associate memories with objects—or in this case, clothing. Every time I look inside, I think that my closet is, in a small way, some sort of prism through which I see… Read on

Indigo – electric, deep, light, or tropical Indigo can be bright, violet-blue, midnight blue. Electric indigo represents the sixth chakra—the Anja—that includes the third eye. It is the color of intuition and self-awareness. Today, the New Leaves stencil + layers of indigo of the Indigo Shell Top made me think of this: A creation of… Read on

According to Wikipedia, supply chain is defined as “a system of organizations, people, activities, information, and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer.” At Alabama Chanin we strive to responsibly produce quality, sustainable products—at every level of the supply chain. We believe that responsibility means transparency and understanding where each material comes from… Read on

Once our garments are born and leave the nest, they have rich lives. At least that is what we hope—what we believe. We work hard to design and construct pieces that will last for many years and become heirlooms, passed down from one generation to the next. For owners of Alabama Chanin garments, it’s common… Read on

In April, I traveled to Chicago to lecture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. While there, I spent some time at the Art Institute and found great inspiration from the works displayed in their galleries. (For someone who has been considering scale and texture quite a bit lately, Elena Manferdini’s exhibition gave… Read on

Part of the excitement of living in The Shoals is seeing how the area has changed over the years. Though we have such an impressive collection of musicians in the area—musicians who have been an important part of the American musical landscape—when I was young, it was difficult to find a place to hear live… Read on

Last July, we explored Alabama’s fashion design history and, in our studio conversations about that post, we started asking one another about other designers that have emerged from the South. Dana Buchman, Pat Kerr, Johnny Talbot, and Wes Gordon all hail from states neighboring our own. When searching my brain for designers from Mississippi, the… Read on

I’ve been toying with the idea of scale and pattern recently. This thought arose because of a presentation I gave in March on Ettore Sottsass and the Memphis Group. The talk was part of the monthly On Design Lecture Series that we host in our studio as staff development but is also open to our community… Read on

“I am a designer and I want to design things.”  – Ettore Sottsass When Alabama Chanin started our MAKESHIFT conversation nearly three years ago, inspiration came from several places and sources. The core idea was, and still is, that through the gathering of like-minded folks (writers, designers, thinkers, artisans, creators) we could elaborate on the… Read on

Love this shot of the Peasant Top from our last shoot with Rinne Allen. Be on the lookout for new additions to our current collection in the coming month…  

I originally wrote the post below for the Etsy Seller Handbook. It ran on September 14 of 2011—just before my lecture at Hello Etsy. I ran across these “truths” recently while writing this post on The Business of Fashion’s “How To Set Up A Fashion Business”  and still find them true today. xoNatalie From the Etsy… Read on

“Eventually everything connects – people, ideas, objects. The quality of the connections is the key to quality, per se.” – Charles Eames Our first official On Design conversation and event centered on the Bauhaus—founded in 1919 by architect Walter Gropius. This movement’s core objective was a radical concept: to reimagine the material world to reflect… Read on

Over the years, and despite the fact that public speaking doesn’t come to me naturally, I’ve lectured at conferences and universities across the country and around the world. Invariably, during the question and answer section at the end of each talk, someone raises their hand and says, “I want to have a collection. What should… Read on

Pewter: a malleable metal alloy of tin, copper, antimony, bismuth and sometimes, silver or lead. Early civilizations like the Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans are known to have used this soft metal in jewelry and tableware. It is a rich shade of gray that has remarkable depth and presence. A commonly used material in the Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts periods. Molten… Read on

“From a scientific point of view, it can be said he [Thoreau] documented for the first time how ecological succession works … The mechanism was animals and weather. Squirrels carry acorns so oak trees replace pine when the pines are cut down. And pine seeds blow over to replace the oak.” – Richard T. Forman I started… Read on

I’ve been thinking a lot about trends recently. Honestly, I’ve been thinking about them a lot—for a very long time. Quite some time ago, I read a plaque in a National Park about ecological succession that changed the way I looked at trends forever (more on this next Tuesday). You see, ecological (or biological) succession… Read on

Red—the color of extremes. Difficult for some to see; more difficult to paint. It’s the color of blood, violence, and revolution—of danger, adventure, and the almost universal sign to stop. Red is full of energy. It is exciting and awakening. It denotes power and confidence. It’s been called the color of temptation and desire. In… Read on

Paul Rand is considered by many to be one of the most significant visual communicators and commercial artists in history. His first book, Thoughts on Design, is one that invigorated the design world and has become a seminal text for design students and professionals. Rand’s simple, straightforward approach to design eventually helped him create some… Read on

Our On Design conversation in December focused on the practice of stenciling—including examples of designs throughout history and various techniques used over time. Stenciling is at the core of our Alabama Chanin collections; currently it is the sole means by which we transfer decorative patterns onto our fabrics. We have explored DIY stenciling in our… Read on

Today is Tuesday. Today I’m inspired. Today there are new pieces added to Collection #26 (and more coming next week). Today I will ______ (fill in your blank). Today—by Mary Oliver Today I’m flying low and I’m not saying a word. I’m letting all the voodoos of ambition sleep. The world goes on as it… Read on

Part of our machine-sewn Core Basics, The Crop Cardigan is a must-have piece for cooler weather. Constructed of lightweight cotton rib, the casual cover up is machine sewn and hand dyed here at The Factory. The Cardigan features raw edge detailing along the placket and hits at the natural waist—accentuating curves. Measures approximately 17 inches… Read on

Black and Gold – in color symbolism they hint at the unknown, power, and formality alongside abundance, prosperity, and extravagance. Black and Gold – Madonna on a Crescent Moon by an anonymous painter in Germany, commonly referred to as the Master of 1456. Black and Gold – for some reason also makes me think of Madonna (the singer) in… Read on

Evergreen: adj.  2. Perennially fresh or interesting; enduring. Our new Evergreen collection features a selection of hand-sewn and machine-made garments, all over-dyed by hand in our indigo vats here at The Factory. The slow process of dying one garment at a time creates rich color variations and shades of color in each of these one-of-a-kind pieces…. Read on

Check out the newest additions to our A. Chanin + Accessories category: the Cropped Pullover, Peplum Cardigan, and Patchwork Tank—great layering pieces to add to your cooler weather wardrobe. The Cropped Pullover is shown here over our Long Sleeve Scoopneck rib top and paired with the Magdalena Gore Skirt in Black. This top is a lighter-weight alternative… Read on

I’ve never met Roderick Kiracofe, but, I’ve known about his quilt collection for a long time. I believe that I heard his name shortly after I returned to Alabama over a decade ago. In those early days, I was working with quilters to create the garments that would make up my first collections. My neighbors… Read on

Our design and production team at Bldg. 14 has been working overtime to launch these three new A. Chanin styles.  From the perfected V-Neck T-shirt, to the updated Fitted Rib Tank, to our machine-sewn Natalie’s Black Jacket—we think that you will love the styles, our 100% organic cotton fabric, and the quality of these beautifully… Read on

Written by Ted Ownby and Becca Walton Situated at the intersection of necessity and creativity, southern fashion lets us ask questions about place and historical context, power, and identity. Every garment has a designer, maker, wearer, and viewer, and we can study all of them. We can tell local stories about designers and seamstresses, farmers… Read on

In 2005, photographer Leslie Williamson made a wish list of all the houses that she hoped to visit in her lifetime. The homes belonged mostly to her favorite architects and designers, who had offered her creative inspiration throughout her career as a photographer. She was curious to learn what inspired them in their home and… Read on

Eight years ago, and three months after Maggie was born, I stood in the wings on a stage in New York City, waiting to go on and tell the story of Alabama Chanin. I was nervous and jittery, waiting my turn while a woman named Jill Dumain talked about the sustainability work of the company… Read on

We’ve added more one-of-a-kind Indigo garments to our collection. The additions include our Alabama Polo, Summer Cardigan, and Crop Jacket, among others. More hand-dyed goodness from our dye house in Florence…

Indigo—a celebration of our natural dye house at The Factory in Florence. This collection includes updated classic styles, available in a range of shades from Light to Dark Indigo and Blue Grey. View our  permanent staples—available year-round—alongside a revolving selection of one-of-a-kind, limited-edition pieces we love. Check back regularly for more hand-dyed goodness.

It’s no secret that we at Alabama Chanin have long been admirers of Heath Ceramics – their work, their approach to responsible manufacturing, and their embrace of beautiful, sustainable design sets them apart from so many companies today. We have also been honored (and excited) to collaborate with them on several projects, including a line… Read on

Last year, I was introduced to Inez Holden over a glass of dry white wine at a fundraising event in our community. Mrs. Holden’s story, told with humor and passion, reminded me that the fashion industry runs deep here in our community. Before Alabama Chanin and Billy Reid, there was Bubbles Ltd. As Alabama Chanin… Read on

We often speak about our home, our state, and our community that provides an incredible amount of inspiration for our work. We are not alone: friend and occasional collaborator, Billy Reid, also headquarters in the same community. It has been mentioned (and is remarkable) that Alabama has the third largest membership in the Council of… Read on

I have done a bit of traveling and it has been my lifelong habit to observe local fashion trends – what crosses regional boundaries or doesn’t, what I predict will be a passing fad, and what has become a mainstay. In the last couple of years, it has become evident that tweed is reappearing in… Read on

We love these every-day, stylish canvas bags from the Brooklyn, New York and Athens, Georgia-based, sister-owned textile company Hable Construction. Perfect for carrying anything and everything – take your Hable tote bag to the office, gym, airport, or even to the grocery store.  

Sass Brown’s ReFashioned: Cutting Edge Clothing From Upcycled Materials, is the second in a series focusing on the eco-fashion movement. Previously, in Eco Fashion, she examined designers and labels (including Alabama Chanin) practicing sustainability in the fashion industry.  In ReFashioned, she features 46 international designers who create using recycled and upcycled textiles. The result is… Read on

We are very proud to announce the launch of the new Alabama Chanin collection. Here at the studio, we have all been busy over the past months preparing for this endeavor—from a collaboration with artist Maxine Payne (more from the story behind our inspiration and Maxine tomorrow…), to perfecting organic cotton fabric and colors, designing… Read on

In the book Eco Fashion, our friend Sass Brown celebrates and examines designers and labels practicing sustainability in the fashion industry, including Alabama Chanin (you might have recognized our hand-sewn garment featured on the cover). Sass offers several definitions for eco fashion—from slow design and traditional techniques to recycled, reused, and redesigned methods—and explores ecological… Read on

As 2013 was a great year for Alabama Chanin—one full of new projects, studio expansions, awards, good times with friends, travel, workshops, and bringing ideas and visions to full fruition—we are equally excited about the upcoming events for 2014 (stay up-to-date by subscribing to our mailing list). Our newest Collection will launch online at the… Read on

Scout By Two is a collaboration of two artists, via Alabama and New York. Marisa Keris and Constance Sepulveda met while studying at the Rhode Island School of Design, and their shared aspiration to design and make products they’d use themselves led them to launch Scout By Two earlier this year. “Our mission is to… Read on

Heath Ceramics is celebrating 10 years of design by showcasing interpretations of time in the form of one-of-a-kind clocks designed by friends and collaborators. I was honored to design and contribute two clocks, featuring Alabama Chanin’s etched Camellia pattern. It’s really common in my family to hang plates on the wall, and I was inspired… Read on

Thank you to Eric Wilson and the New York Times for their unwavering support these last years. And for this report on Green Fashion. We are deeply honored. xoNatalie and all of us @ Alabama Chanin

Our continued practice of responsible and sustainable design and production will grow even more now, thanks to the CFDA/Lexus Eco-Fashion Challenge. I am honored to be this year’s recipient of the grand prize of $75,000. With the award, Alabama Chanin will support our company growth, which includes our machine-made garments under the label A. Chanin,… Read on

In 1939, Eugene Von Bruenchenhein met a 19-year-old girl named Eveline Kalke, whom he nicknamed “Marie,” at a state fair in Wisconsin. The two married in 1943, and settled into their daily lives in Milwaukee where Eugene worked as a baker. Unlike most bakers, Eugene spent his free time composing poems on the subjects of… Read on

Shoals resident, friend, and artist Marisa Keris and her college friend Constance Sepulveda are making beautiful hand-stitched bags and accessories from canvas and Italian leather under the label Scout by Two. Inspired by vintage goods, American style and tradition, the artists combine wood-burned details with simple geometry and natural elements to create original designs with… Read on

In February, we launched our Basics line of Alabama Chanin garments in clean, unadorned silhouettes: garments for everyday life, to wear with everything. As temperatures climb into the 90’s here in North Alabama, the Basics have found their way into the wardrobe rotation more frequently, particularly the Halter Top. Hand-stitched in 100% organic cotton medium-weight… Read on

Yesterday, I wrote about my appreciation of hand-painted signs, inspired by the book Sign Painters, authored by friend Faythe Levine with Sam Macon. Faythe and Sam have directed a documentary – also called Sign Painters, as a companion to the book. In 2008, Faythe co-authored and directed a book and film, both named Handmade Nation: The Rise… Read on

Growing up in small-town Florence, Alabama, a trip into downtown meant a visit to colorful shops, recognized by equally colorful signs. Ye Ole General Store had a block letter, serif-type sign across the entranceway and inside, we could find canteens and hats and overalls for backyard battles and explorations. Next, we’d walk to Court Street… Read on

May all your dreams come true… xo Natalie and all of us @ Alabama Chanin P.S.:  Belt buckle, pants, and shirt thanks to Neilan Tyree

Last month we wrote about Slow Design, specifically in contrast to Fast Fashion, as the death toll from a collapsed garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh rose by the hour, reaching 1,127. During the three weeks the tragedy made headlines, NPR’s “Fresh Air” broadcast an interview with Elizabeth Cline, author of Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of… Read on

I am a child of the 1960s…no way around it. And, while denim has been around since 1860’s-era France, the decades of the 60’s and 70’s jump to my mind when I think of this fabric. That era also makes me think of all the controversy around the American Flag and its use as a… Read on

Here is a bit of information that may surprise you: not all cotton is white cotton. If you are like me, you may not have always known that natural cotton comes in plenty of hues. In fact, there were originally shades of cotton that ranged from many tones of brown, to dark green, to brown,… Read on

Most of us don’t really think about color, or what color is or how it’s made, and yet our entire day is filled with too many shades to count or record. In Victoria Finlay’s 2002 book, Color: A Natural History of the Palette, she writes, “the first challenge in writing about colors is that they… Read on

The practice of numbering houses supposedly began in Paris in the 1500’s. Having a house number is something we don’t give a second thought to these days, but they have not always been used and they certainly have not always been popular. Some countries have numbered zones, requirements for the number of digits, double sets… Read on

Poster by our friend Amos Kennedy. More on Amos and this poster coming soon…

“Craft” might seem like it’s for the amateurs, and “fashion” for the auteurs. Yet we live in an age where creativity and innovation are increasingly found in collaborations between makers and users, crafters and designers, designers and manufacturers, and in the loosening of the boundaries between them. – MAKESHIFT 2012 The MAKESHIFT conversation began last… Read on

As this posts to our Journal this morning, part of our Alabama Chanin team will be in the air and on their way home from MAKESHIFT 2013. We hope that you have followed our explorations and conversations during New York Design Week via Instagram and have had conversations of your own.  Leaving MAKESHIFT this year,… Read on

There may be no more relevant time than now to talk about Slow Design, specifically Slow Fashion, as the body count in a collapsed garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh – a factory that churned out Fast Fashion for American consumers – surpasses 900. As we prepare to travel to New York for MAKESHIFT 2013 to discuss… Read on

We’ve loved every plate, bowl and serving dish from our collaboration with Heath Ceramics that has come through the studio. But it’s this newest addition, the Camellia pattern, that is easily my favorite, and the most elegant. Each piece is hand-etched by a Heath Ceramics artisan and comes in Opaque White. The design is offered… Read on

Last January, we had several conversations in our studio about punks and pirates spurred by Richard McCarthy’s analogy about pirates and “big food.” Just last week, the conversation continued in our studio about how the underground punk movement changed the way music was produced and delivered to the listening public. (More on this coming in… Read on

I’ve written before about the importance of organic cotton and the residual chemical damage traditional cotton leaves behind in our land and our bodies. As many of you know, we planted and raised our own organic cotton here in Alabama last summer, and every Alabama Chanin product is made with 100% organic cotton. We are… Read on

As readers of our journal, many of you have read about our attempts to grow organic cotton here in Alabama. While researching the process and details of what it means to grow organic cotton, we discovered, to our surprise, that only a small amount of the world’s organic cotton is grown in the United States…. Read on

It’s been a busy past few months for Alabama Chanin. Shortly after our cotton picking party and field day came our biggest Black Friday sale, then the holidays, our Garage Sale, Craftsy launch, travels to Los Angeles, the Texas Playboys visit to Florence, and much more in between. All the while, we’ve been making headway… Read on

“One has to dream.  And one has to stand out from the rest.” – Armi Raita, Marimekko creator I’ve been wearing Converse sneakers for years. They’re comfortable, durable, inexpensive, and I love them with our hand-stitched garments.  Just in case I wasn’t standing out from the rest already, Marimekko + Converse should grab some attention,… Read on

This week, we highlight the Finnish design company, Marimekko. As a long-standing leader in the fashion and design worlds, Marimekko has created timeless and colorful prints for over 60 years. I’ve followed the company from my days at NC State University and, as a designer, I have deep admiration and respect for Armi Ratia, the… Read on

Writer, artist, and curator Phillip March Jones’s latest book, Points of Departure, is a collection of roadside memorial Polaroids depicting scenes of reality, often stark eulogies on road sides, highways, and Interstates, that we routinely speed by in our busy lives. The collection demonstrates an irony between our hurried motion and the absoluteness of departure… Read on

We’ve been talking about friend and collaborator Anna Maria Horner all week, featuring a DIY A-line Tunic with her Little Flowers stencil, a Greek lunch in her honor, and a review of her new book, Anna Maria’s Needleworks Notebook, which we wrote about on Monday promising a giveaway later in the week. Details below on… Read on

In 2005, I was inducted into The Council of Fashion Designers of America.  Long before that time (and during my days as a stylist in Europe), I didn’t really know what the CFDA was (or did). However, the organization was founded in 1962 by Eleanor Lambert as a not-for-profit trade organization to support American womenswear,… Read on

We recently started a conversation on Real Women and fashion with Sara’s post “Too Fat For Fashion,” and your response has been lively, evocative and challenging. As we prepared to launch an extended ready-to-wear Basics section on our Alabama Chanin website, we found ourselves thinking more carefully about how our pieces fit different shapes, how they… Read on

We (HEART) this story in the newest NO’ALA Magazine (on pages 110-117) about our custom made Bridal gowns: It takes a village: “Once the elements of the gown are chosen, Diane, the master seamstress, measures the bride and Carra-Ellen cuts the fabric and prepares the pattern. Steven, the production manager, applies the stencil to the… Read on

In 2008, to commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the peace symbol, National Geographic published Peace: the Biography of a Symbol, by Ken Kolsbun with Michael S. Sweeney. The book documents the symbol, from its creation in 1958, through its usage in the folk scene of the 1960s, its very visible presence in the 1970s… Read on

You know how we at Alabama Chanin feel about open sourcing. We offer our techniques and the information necessary to recreate our products, should you decide that you want to do-it-yourself. After three books, countless DIY Kits, and an amazing array of workshops, we have learned some important things: people will take your ideas and… Read on

It’s no secret that there seems to be a disconnect between the worlds of fashion and craft. The terms, themselves, can be a bit polarizing despite their incredible commonality. Alabama Chanin is no stranger to straddling that line between the two; to us, craft and fashion definitely go hand-in-hand. On a recent weekend, I spent… Read on

In a world of mass-production and over-harvested resources, I find it a delight and a luxury to come across a responsibly crafted product, especially around the holiday season.  Unsurprisingly, living, producing, and creating sustainably has become a skillful artistry, and sustainable craftsmanship and process is quickly on its way to being the ultimate in luxury… Read on

In 2009 and 2010, an exhibition was held at Pratt Institute to help explain the relationship between fashion and sustainability. For this exhibit (called Ethics + Aesthetics = Sustainable Fashion), curators Francesca Granata and Sarah Scaturro (now Conservator at The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art) displayed garments from our Alabama ChaninSongbirds collection, and… Read on

Olivia has been knotting away in the studio today. We make our Knotted Necklaces from 100% organic cotton jersey fabric scraps and accessorize as a necklace, belt, or headband. Featured in Alabama Studio Sewing + Design.

Perhaps the most unique piece in our Denim + Carmine Collection is the sarong. This multi-functional piece measures 36” long by 72” wide and is designed for a variety of body types. Made to be fluid and adaptable, the material wraps around the waist and ties at the side. Our sarongs can be worn for a… Read on

The Olivia Dress is the newest addition to our Indigo + Carmine collection. Designed by (and named for) our Studio Assistant, Olivia, this pull-on dress is hand-stitched and made from our indigo-dyed, organic cotton jersey. Clean lines accentuate the waist and bust line. The right amount of swing in the A-line skirt allows for easy, beautiful… Read on

“Sustainability is the forerunner of greater diversity and choice, not less.” – Paul Hawken In the book Fashion & Sustainability: Design for Change, our friends Kate Fletcher and Lynda Grose tackle the issue of sustainability in the fashion world. Within its pages you will discover practices that have the potential to transform the fashion system… Read on

When I was working on our Heath Ceramics collaboration, we worked with colors rooted in the Southern vernacular and my upbringing in the 1960s and 70s in Alabama. When I look at the dishes, I see parts of my childhood in the shades of red and blue. The chosen red is appropriately called red clay,… Read on

The Alabama Chanin collection is a luxury line. Hand-selected fabric is sourced, dyed, re-dyed, and sometimes dyed again to achieve the perfect shade. Our team has hand-mixed thousands of paint colors, looking for the perfect complement to a certain hue. Giant rolls of fabric have been returned, donated, or recycled because a run, tear, or… Read on

We all encounter bumps in the road, but with encouragement and tenacity, we persevere. Back in 2001, I faced one in my life. I returned to New York to continue developing my life’s work into what is now Alabama Chanin. At the time, I was living in the Chelsea Hotel on West 23rd Street while… Read on

They make fashion; they curate a magazine called “Zina Cava;” Maggie Gyllenhaal models for them; they are, in my opinion, the coolest duo to come along in the fashion industry in years. They host dinner parties instead of fashion shows and give away posters like the one below celebrating their 8 years in business. It’s the kind… Read on

I was greeted at work today by the most wonderful discovery – I  literally gasped when I saw the copy of Savage Beauty on my desk. Thank you Natalie!
 It’s no secret that I’ve been obsessing over Alexander McQueen for the last several months, watching past runway shows, and sending links with reckless abandon. 
The… Read on

Thanks to all the HEATH Ceramics team for this lovely piece on Alabama Chanin in their November Newsletter: Slowing Down (and Sitting Down) with Alabama Chanin Stitch and clay intersect to create modern heirlooms in our newest collection Slow down. This may feel like an impossible pursuit, particularly in this season, but when Heath Ceramics… Read on

It is no secret that I adore Robin Petrovic and Cathy Bailey from HEATH Ceramics.  My daughter Maggie loves their son Jasper – and I follow her very smart lead.  (The kids have most recently been sharing the iPhone App Cookie Doodle drawings with one another.) Cathy and Robin are the kind of designers that… Read on

It is going to take me weeks to express the joy, inspiration, and love I found at the Southern Foodways Alliance Symposium.  (And it will take a lot longer to lose all the weight I found. Strange what a side of pork and a case of beer can do to the body… just kidding –… Read on

We are finishing up our costume fitting this morning for the Collard Opera. The excerpt from Leaves of Green below ran yesterday on The Huffington Post. Click here to download the full text. When I was real little, my mama would say, “Child eat your collards, don’t push them away.” But that word made me shudder, and… Read on

So excited about our collaboration with HEATH Ceramics. Look for the entire collection to launch next week. Until then, a little sneak preview via the New York Times… xoNatalie

How lovely to spend time this weekend just sitting, reading, and dreaming. A sun drenched afternoon, tea, time with Holly Becker’s new book Decorate leaves me inspired. Every so often a book seems to speak directly to our sensibilities, and I can’t help but feel that Decorate was somehow made for me (and I am… Read on

Preppy, the latest collaboration between Jeffrey Banks and Doria La Chapelle, arrived in our studio this week.  The lovely volume documents the evolution of this iconic style with images from the early 1900′s to my favorite Slim Aarons to the current Hilfiger campaign (shown above). The book is not a manual, but rather a brief… Read on

More than any other time of year, the start of fall brings with it incredible rushes of nostalgia. The first chill usually arrives with distant memories, put away with last year’s winter coats.This light-weight piece is the first thing I reach for to welcome the returning season. Our Tied Wrap employs the simplest of designs…. Read on

Where did the last two weeks go?  Read my bi-weekly post @EcoSalon on the importance of being wobbly. And thank you to my friend George for the gift of a simple garden gnome – so many, many years ago. Perhaps I will watch Amelie tonight! There’s No Place Like Gnome I planted my fall garden… Read on

In 2006, Leslie Hoffman of Earth Pledge asked me to write a short paper for inclusion in their Future Fashion White Papers.   I recently came across the volume while browsing my library and the essay stirred up so many memories from that time.  As the last of my tomatoes drop to the ground, I wanted… Read on

“If so, HOW? If not, WHY?” – from Nam June Paik (Tate Publishing – February 1, 2011) I love the photograph above – and thought of these questions today. Learn more about Nam June Paik here.

The Climbing Daisy Stencil – one of my all-time favorite designs – is now available from our Online Store.  Shown above embellished with cotton ribbon embroidery, the stencil is often highlighted in our collections and included in Alabama Studio Sewing + Design.

I can’t recall exactly where, but I once read an article that instructed the reader to dress in layers when attending an event. You were to shed these layers very very slowly. The idea was to take off one piece every hour (give or take, depending on the duration and your tolerance) until you were… Read on

When I think of the philosophy of wabi-sabi, Burning Man and a Mustang Convertible are not the first things that pop into my mind. However, it is this sort of dichotomy that seems to define Robyn Griggs Lawrence… environmentalist, mother, writer, maker, visionary, mover, and shaker.  Robyn has been kind enough to share a bit… Read on

Great vibe. Smart design. Books everywhere.  

From page 51 of Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers: “Beauty can be coaxed out of ugliness, Wabi-sabi is ambivalent about separating beauty from non-beauty or ugliness.  The beauty of wabi-sabi is, in one respect, the condition of coming to terms with what you consider ugly.  Wabi-sabi suggests that beauty is a dynamic event… Read on

While working on my own wabi-sabi this week, I came across the work of friend Carolyn Strauss and her partner in slowLab – Alastair Fuad-Luke – on page 30-31 of Simply Imperfect: Revisiting the Wabi-Sabi House. I was reminded of the importance of these six principles: 1. Reveal:  Slow design reveals spaces and experiences in… Read on

Introducing our Knotted Necklaces – which are also a great belts. Shown below styled with our: Anna’s Garden Embroidered Tank and Paisley Skirt    

I have immersed myself in Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers over the last weeks and these three, short sentences on the nature of the universe (see pages 46-47) make me so happy: 1. All things are impermanent. 2. All things are imperfect. 3. All things are incomplete. To me, this seems the essence of… Read on

Our most popular A-line skirt is a versatile piece that can pull double duty as an elegant swing top.  It is, as always, sewn and adorned by hand using our Anna’s Garden pattern in contrasting applique and glass bugle and chop beads.  You see it here styled with two long skirts for our collection photos:… Read on

I once had a close friend who was the most incredible painter, yet never sold a single piece of art. I (and everyone who saw her work) was certain she was destined for artistic greatness and critical acclaim, if only she could get people to see her work. She thought it unfair and ridiculous to… Read on

A lovely shot from our friend Sarah E. Lewis – laboring on location today (with our collection) in New York City.  

The newest issue of KYUR8_Webzine, created and curated by my friend RUDJ, launches today. Guest Editor: Natalie Chanin Have a look and spread the word: KYUR8_Webzine

“a rectangle of cloth to wrap the baby, make the bed, grace the meal and honour the guest, to mop up a spill, encircle a waist, screen the window and admit the breeze, to proclaim a cause, to tend the corpse…” Gewn Egg, Second Skin, page 6.

This is my first installment of a new bi-weekly fashion column for EcoSalon. Material Witness will offers my perspective on the fashion industry, textile history and what happens when love for community trumps all. From EcoSalon – August 12, 2011 ONE WOMAN’S TESTAMENT TO THREAD AND NEEDLE As a designer and entrepreneur in the fashion… Read on

Some things are said a thousand times. Sometimes we still need reminding. Or maybe not. Great new content from commune design.

Azzedine Alaïa Interview written by Eric Waroll: “I was having breakfast with a legend of fashion, yet I witnessed his respectful humanity.”

“Despite the prevalence of green in nature, no single plant produces a color-fast, deep green dye. Until the invention of synthetic dyes in the 19th century, people around the world typically combined indigo blue with various yellow dyes to create green textiles.” From Green:  the Color and the Cause (Be sure to browse the entire… Read on

Paper Cutting:  Contemporary Artists, Timeless Craft From the introduction by our friend Rob Ryan: “Were you that kind of child that ate your way all around the edge of the hole in the middle of a cookie bit by bit with tiny teeth in little nibbles…  I was always busy jumping over and around the… Read on

I own a lot of books on pattern design but British Textiles – published by V&A – is one of the loveliest I have seen for a long time. (It was at the bottom of the pile yesterday but is on top today.) The book highlights woven and printed fabric (embroidery is planned for an… Read on

Just back from New York with the new collection and new photos for the new book. (More photos coming soon.) See you at the DooNanny this weekend… And don’t forget to vote for Alabama Chanin Studio Store on the TreeHugger Best of Green Reader’s Choice. Thanks to Eric and all the folks @Etsy for the… Read on

Although Allegra Hicks: An Eye for Design has been laying on my coffee table for months, it seemed the perfect opportunity to dive in on this cold, cold evening. (Thanks to Abrams for sending along a review copy.) Sitting with a glass of wine in front on the fire, I find Allegra’s colors and textures… Read on

Last night, I finally saw Luca Guadagnino’s I Am Love.  The cinematography of Yorick Le Sau  is extraordinary. And Tilda Swinton is stunning… Manohla Dargis wrote an interesting review for the New York Times.  I love this last paragraph: “The chase ends in a sylvan perch, where Antonio and Emma make love amid a cacophony… Read on

For a decade, my work at Alabama Chanin has been made possible by our artisans.  Without them and our amazing staff, there would be no Alabama Chanin. Many of the artisans working with us today are the very same women who sewed those first deconstructed t-shirts.  I want to express my deep gratitude.  Wielding needle… Read on

Many of my regular readers know a bit about my history… but to sum it up for those of you that are new: In the year 1999, I took (what I thought to be) a four month sabbatical from my life and loves in Vienna, Austria. Beginning on an island off the northern coast of… Read on

It is pouring rain today. This calls for Maggie’s Dress and Wellies as I leave to drive the new collection to the airport for its trip to New York City. It is one of our most beautiful ever.  Isn’t rain on your wedding day good luck?

Thanks to Thom Driver for sending over this beautiful image – a lovely way to start the week. Ian Hundley’s work reminds me of The Map as Art. I resolve to  follow more unknown roads in the next year…

The first day (and night) of cold has arrived like a breath of fresh air… tomatoes pulled from vines for fear of frost and our walking cape is my new best friend.  

Shot by Lisa Eisner, June 2010, Florence, Alabama

This would be a beautiful way to retrieve eggs every morning. Beautiful design to good purpose and on my holiday wish list. Nogg via ianclaridge

Nashville bound for the nD Fashion Show… Get out and join Alabama Chanin tonight, along with Billy Reid and Imogene + Willie, for an evening of Nashville’s best – to benefit the historic Belcourt Theater. nD Festival @ The Belcourt

Have I mentioned how much we love Wyatt Troll? What’s not to love?  Spike Jonze, Patti Smith & more… And don’t forget to LOVE Wyatt’s film on Alabama Chanin for NOWNESS: A Southern Sense of Place

Alabama Chanin: A Southern Sense of Place A NOWNESS + Commune production by Wyatt Toll – LOVE IT!

Thank you for coming for a visit. Thank you to everyone who showed patience today as our new website launched. Thank you for all the kind emails. Thank you to everyone who has made the launch of this new site a reality. Thank you to all the staff and artisans at Alabama Chanin. Thank you… Read on

Tune into PBS on MONDAY, AUGUST 23rd, 9PM CST (AFTER HISTORY DETECTIVES) for the National Broadcast of CITIZEN ARCHITECT: SAMUEL MOCKBEE AND THE RURAL STUDIO If you can not tune in, check out the website / or facebook page for theatrical screening updates / or buy the DVD online: http://www.citizenarchitectfilm.com/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/CITIZEN-ARCHITECT-FILM/285692586601?ref=ts Bravo to our friends Sam… Read on

Sneak peek to Fall/Winter 2010 when it is 105 degrees outside… Just a few of my favorites…more coming soon!

One of the most amazing books on typography that I have come across in a long, long time… In Fraktur Mon Amour, Judith Schalansky has made a love letter to the (sometimes outcast) Blackletter or Gothic script. Judith’s collection of fonts is stunning – CD included. All 150 fonts included in Fraktur Mon Amour are accompanied by elaborate and beautiful… Read on

This year marks a decade on my journey to Alabama Chanin. Looking at where we started, where we have been and where we are headed has been an amazing and beautiful process. What a time of laughter, tears, exploration, and, well, growing up. To celebrate our growing up, we will be launching several exciting collaborations… Read on

From Father Andrew @ Goods of Conscience: “Do you notice the corn growing next to the garage?  We have chickens up here too.  I am loving the indigo flag waving Alabama in our midst.” Read more about Father Andrew & Alabama Denim **Photo courtesy of Father Andrew  

I have been obsessed by maps recently. Perhaps I am searching for something? Princeton Architectural Press has found another little treasure (map) with Kris Harzinski and the Hand Drawn Map Association: From Here to There: A Curious Collection from the Hand Drawn Map Association And get lost here: Hand Drawn Map Association

Just as I am designing the new collection, a treasure of a book arrives on my desk from Princeton Architectural Press. I have always been a fan of You Are Here: Personal Geographies and Other Maps of the Imagination. And now Katharine Harmon has compiled the most beautiful collection of images and ideas in her… Read on

In a sea (literally) of bad news about our Gulf, I cleaned up my desk this morning to find some good. While I was traveling over the past few months, a lovely package worked its way to the bottom of a pile just to be discovered this morning. In the package: Rebuilding After Disaster: The… Read on

Beautiful catalog by the folks at Pentagram. Why Design Now? by Ellen Lupton

Breathtaking new work by Denyse Schmitt: “Hope as the Anchor of the Soul: Mount Lebanon Quilt Series” About the series from her website: “On a 2007 pilgrimage to the Mount Lebanon Shaker Village in New York, Denyse saw accidental, raw beauty in empty, decaying interiors awaiting renovation. Knocked out doorjambs, random linear gashes in walls… Read on

We made a road trip yesterday – for Mother’s Day – into the Florida Panhandle. Backroads all the way, the drive was like traveling through page after page of John Margolies Roadside America. If you ever get the chance to ride Route 29 – down through Alabama and into Florida; be sure to go. READYMADES:… Read on

It was planned today that I would post for Kaffe Fassett’s Blog Tour. I have been carrying Kaffe Fassett’s Simple Shapes Spectacular Quilts around with me for the last few weeks. And I have been thinking about Kaffe, about the book, taking in the photos, thinking about how cleverly the geometries work together and about… Read on

I love this story from Penelope Green: “A Veritable Vision in Five-Inch Heels“, New York Times, February 3, 2010: NEAR dusk on a recent winter Sunday, in a glossy and compact one-bedroom in Hell’s Kitchen, Michael Lisbona was drying the toe box of a Louis-style mule with a blow dryer. The upper part of the… Read on

We have been getting many emails and questions about a post that appeared this week on Ecouterre.com entitled “Does the Art of Craft and Handmade Matter in Fashion?” My answers seemed to spur yet more questions… and a few angry emails. After mulling over these questions, I have to think about Gina and Linton Hopkins… Read on

The Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum has announced their upcoming National Design Triennial series for spring 2010. “Why Design Now?” will be on view from May 14 through January 9, 2011, and will explore the work of designers addressing human and environmental problems across many fields of design from architecture and product design to fashion,… Read on

A photo from Li Edelkoort’s exhibition last year titled: Archeology of the Future A table from Studio Jo Meesters in collaboration with Marije van der Park sits before one of our Textile Stories Quilts – a project included in our new book Alabama Studio Style. *Photo courtesy of Li Edelkoort

After a bit of reflection this week, I am able to answer a question that has evaded me for a decade: What inspired you to start this work? I was inspired and taken by the beautiful decay of an archipelago and how everything was used – everything.  It inspired me to begin collecting scraps of… Read on

After lofty plans to post each day about the last decade – and the next, my computer slipped from my hands last Tuesday morning and crashed (literally) to the floor and shattered. Later that afternoon, my Blackberry decided to follow suit.  My deduction was that it was time to take a much needed sabbatical from all… Read on

I just finished Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls and am awed. It has – rightfully – been compared to Out of Africa and West with the Night. While I respect her first book – The Glass Castle – this new book will become an American classic. Kudos to Jeannette. Enjoy while looking at photos… Read on

It seems that I have been lost for over a week and that I am just coming up for air. One more friend from our Bureau of Friends evening at Partners & Spade: Get lost with Andy Beech @ Reference Library and Stork Bites Man

Very inspired to meet Mark and Sara Schiller from Wooster Collective this evening during our Bureau of Friends event at Partners & Spade. *Image via Wooster Collective

Thank you to everyone at Vogue, the CFDA, Norman Jean Roy, Karlie Kloss, Tabitha Simmons, Florence Kane and all of our Alabama Team for this beautiful photo of the Alabama Nomad.  

Okay a small fashion moment this morning, please.  Can we just ponder for a second? It is a moment courtesy of Garance Dore – my new heroine. You have to seriously love a girl who writes this about herself: “Seriously though, there’s always this side to me that ends up utterly unorganized, that can’t get its… Read on

From Vogue Daily: Still under the radar, West Coast-based Heath Ceramics is a Vogue editor favorite. Imagine our delight upon discovering that their new color for fall, out today, is this divine shade of red, reminding us of the fall collections (think Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Galliano). “Even though we’re in California, the warmth of… Read on

Back in the studio after what seems months & happy to get back to the business of making beautiful things… Here is my favorite shot from Spring/Summer 2010. I feel like I can breathe this blue.   We will be working on the web catalog and hope to have something to share by next week. Read: Blue:… Read on

It is an amazing thing in life when your heroes become your friends. And so it is with friend Les Blank. I rented Gap-Toothed Women in the 1990’s when I was living in Vienna. And then came Burden of Dreams. A clear addiction to documentary films ensued. Don’t miss this great interview with Les @ Vice Magazine.

Red can be a naughty color — red-light districts and bordellos. It is both the color of Satan and the color of the Roman Catholic Church. Stevens notes that red was a color often associated with divinity; medieval and renaissance paintings show Jesus and the Virgin Mary in red robes. Red is for happiness —… Read on

A Time to Sell Green, Not Greed By SUZY MENKES From the New York Times: September 13, 2009   NEW YORK — “Fashion’s Night Out” — an evening of open-house shopping last week in New York and other major cities around the world — was designed to brace up nervous customers and convince them that… Read on

It has taken me two years to finally see this film that friend, painter and film buff Judith Eisler recommended so long ago. A fantastic and beautifully made look at the global visual culture that touches our lives every day. One of the best movies I have seen for a very long time. Helvetica: A Documentary Film by… Read on

Agnes Martin:  The Nineties and Beyond My favorite: “A Little Girl’s Response to Love,” page 97 Agnes Martin at the Dia Agnes Martin (Dia Foundation)

This beautiful story from The New York Times today:  Femininity, Salvaged Lillian Bassman: Women Anais Nin – The Delta of Venus

Look Read

The Museum at The International Center for Photography will be showing the fashion work of Richard Avedon: Avedon Fashion 1944 – 2000. One of my all time favorite books of photography was created by Richard Avedon: In the American West. This genre of photography as story teller has been an inspiration to me since the day I first… Read on

Another article I had saved on my computer and was reminded of recently… A call to arms from Suzy Menkes: Suzy Menkes’s Opening Speech at the IHT Luxury Conference in New Delhi March 2009A Bravo!  

Bravo to Cathy and Robin @ Heath for their commitment to quality, exceptional design, and community. From The New York Times: April 23, 2009, A Label of Pride That Pays By TRACEY TAYLOR In a timeworn factory in Sausalito, Calif., 67 workers turn out Heath ceramics, doing everything from mixing the clay to applying the finishing… Read on

My dear friend Sam sent along this link:  Rosalind Wyatt Beautiful…

As we know, the fashion industry (along with many others) has spiraled out of control.  I have recently spoken with many colleagues and it is my belief that this is the time to work hard(er) to make it better – rather than to sit and wait for something to happen.  I saved this article from… Read on

Robert Rausch just finished our final catalog and lookbook for The Songbirds… The photographs are lovely – thank you to Russ Harrington and everyone involved. It was a beautiful process. We are working on updating our website and will soon have this and a slew of other new projects going up. In the meantime, here are a few of… Read on

A new favorite place to visit: Beauty Everyday for Southern Beauty, Creativity & Food

Today I am inspired by Alec Soth: Paris Minnesota,  Sleeping by the Mississippi, & Niagara. www.alecsoth.com

Everyone is raving about Bradley Quinn’s new book Textile Designers at the Cutting Edge. And THANK YOU to Bradley for including our work at Alabama Chanin.

I have been traveling so much that it has been difficult to keep up with all of the inspiring people, places and things that have crossed my path these last months. I am looking forward to slowing down for the holidays to process. In Lincoln, Nebraska, I had the opportunity to tour the incredible International… Read on

I found this very straight forward and informative post while jumping around this morning. The site boasts many other interesting tidbits too: Green Fashion Glossary  

I am very excited to be included in this seminar and looking forward to visiting Stavanger and seeing The World of Folk exhibition: International Design Seminar – Folk Futures With: Li Edelkoort, Tord Boontje, Natalie Chanin, Dick van Hoff, Hella Jongerius, Peter Marigold, Mike Meiré, Fernando & Humberto Campana. As part of this summer’s A… Read on

Occasionally in our lives, a person comes along who changes the course of our destiny and makes us a better person, simply by having touched our lives. One such person in my life was a teacher who believed in me before I knew that one could believe. I came to his studio as a naive,… Read on

I received the email below from friend Sarah Lewis after she visited the Photography on Photography: Reflections on the Medium since 1960 (through October 19, 2008 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City). And while I am not in New York myself to see the exhibition, my entire body of work has… Read on

This beautiful catalog of work from Li Edelkoort and her team is refreshing and inspiring: A World of Folk

There have been some questions recently about why I want the world to know that “I AM NO LONGER PART OF PROJECT ALABAMA.” While there is a long and delicate history behind this statement, the crux of the situation is this: Project Alabama started one day in the year 2000 as I hand-sewed a t-shirt… Read on

I love these Tiny Buildings from Sharon at http://www.tinybuildings.com/ They remind me of my eternal desire to have a small, sustainable, country Mini-House.

From the folks @ Ecoble: 10 Creative Ways to Recycle Ordinary Objects

Mother Nature gives us a place to find inspiration each and every day. Living Jewels is a document of a small part of our environment which has a large impact with these beautiful photographs. You will find the most beautiful color references on each page. Get your copy of Living Jewels here.