Alabama Chanin
Natalie "Alabama" Chanin is an American fashion designer from Florence, Alabama.[1] She is part of the zero-waste fashion movement. Her design company uses 100% organic cotton jersey fabric in their designs, which is sourced sustainably from seed to fabric.[2] Chanin's "open source" philosophy means that patterns and techniques for her garments are openly available through books and workshops.[3]
Early life and education
Natalie "Alabama" Chanin was born and raised in Florence, Alabama. She has a degree in Environmental Design with a focus on industrial and craft-based textiles from North Carolina State University.[3] After graduation, Chanin worked in the junior sportswear industry on New York's Seventh Avenue, before moving abroad. For the next decade, she worked as a stylist and costume designer, traveling the globe.
Career
The company began in early 2000 with the creation of hand-sewn garments made from cotton jersey fabric.[4] Pieces are made from 100% organic cotton, sewn by hand through a group of artisans using a cottage industry method of operation.[5]
Alabama Chanin is rooted in the tenets of the Slow design movement. Known for her "eco-chic" designs, Natalie launched the A. Chanin line in 2013.[6] In 2015, she expanded the machine-made garments line to include a home goods collection.[7]
Published works
- Alabama Stitch Book, 2008
- Alabama Studio Style, 2010
- Alabama Studio Sewing + Design: A Guide to Hand-Sewing an Alabama Chanin Wardrobe, 2012
- Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns: A Guide to Customizing a Hand-Stitched Alabama Chanin Wardrobe, 2015
References
- ^ About alabamachanin.com
- ^ Alabama Chanin sustainable cotton project New York Times
- ^ a b Natalie Chanin arts.gov
- ^ Alabama Chanin profile Archived 2015-01-22 at the Wayback Machine takepart.com
- ^ Alabama Chanin: a cottage industry success story etsy.com
- ^ Luxe for less, Style Spy, March 2014 Southern Living FL6 Archived 2015-01-22 at the Wayback Machine polishedpigmedia.com
- ^ Alabama Chanin's first home collection New York Times 2015/01/22