Local · Eco-Chick

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Alabama Chanin’s Studio Style: More DIY Projects from the Southern Handcrafting Guru

Natalie Chanin’s new book, Alabama Studio Style.

A CFDA finalist and long-time Eco Chick fave (see our coverage of S/S ’09 here), Natalie Chanin’s designs are, in these global times, truly Local. Made in the Southeastern United States by women crafting from home, each piece is a work of art, created by hand.

Instead of protecting the design techniques which render her looks specifically hers, Natalie has gone the open-source route, and with her second book, Alabama Studio Style (the first book was the Alabama Stitch Book), she expands upon the (your) hands-on projects that you can create from recycled materials from wherever you call home.

The designer, Natalie Chanin.

Says Natalie of the new DIY tome, “It is wonderful to see a book come to life. Two years ago, when I received my copy of Alabama Stitch Book, it felt like a letdown the first time I held it in my hands. [My publisher] was excited to know how I felt and I just said, ‘It looks exactly like it is supposed to.’ Her reply was that a book ‘comes to life in the hands of the user.’ She is so right.”

“Seeing that others have taken our point-of-view to heart has brought me so much satisfaction and real pride. Part of my mission has always been to advance the traditional arts in my own way, using my modern day perspective. It is always gratifying to see that people have really heard what you have to say and are continuing the process. It has been great to see all the projects, spin-offs and inspirations that have come from that book over the last two years. And more exciting now to see how the two books will play off one another.”

Check out some of Natalie’s favorite projects inspired by the books below:

“I love this onesie from projectecoart for the modeled color, the layers of embroidery to add texture and the sweet flower. I love to dress my own daughter like this!”

DIY, Handmade, local, south

Raleigh Denim: Jeans Showcasing the Future of Style and Sustainability

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by Starre Vartan · 10/01/09

Raleigh Denim Co-founders Victor and Sarah Lytvinenko Photo: Nick Pironio

All of a sudden, it seems quality and detail are the new buzzwords in the fashion world. After years of fast fashion ruling the runways and money-making trumping sanity for designers, negative environmental impacts, and questionable labor practices, the tide has begun to turn. Thanks to the work of some dedicated designers and industry advocates, the coming decade in the fashion world will show a return to true creativity that respects both human beings and design in the quest to clothe us.

Raleigh Denim’s women’s styles

Raleigh Denim is a proud part of this transition, creating quality, small-batch denim in true American style, which is about attention to detail, craft, and respect for history rather than adding to the thousands of throw-away clothes that end up in American landfills every year.

Raleigh Denim’s signature red stitching Photo: Starre Vartan

I was lucky enough to visit Raleigh Denim’s headquarters in Raleigh, NC not too long ago, and got a fantastic tour of the design and production facilities. Victor Lytvinenko and his wife and co-founder Sarah do all the designing and most of the sewing of each pair of jeans, using mostly-forgotten stitching techniques that make each pair they create both personal and interesting.

Victor in the pattern room; hanging are the paper patterns used to make Raleigh Denim’s jeans. Photo: Starre Vartan

Available at Barney’s, Barney’s Co-ops, and other select retailers, Raleigh Denim is made in small, numbered batches, which are signed by Victor and Sarah in reflection of the fact that they oversee the production of each pair themselves.

Jeans are individually signed by Victor and Sarah Photo: Starre Vartan

Victor told me that all of the resources that go into making the jeans are sourced from a 200-mile radius of the Raleigh Denim facility. Although they don’t use organic cotton, Victor explained that using local, conventional cotton seemed to make more sense to him than shipping organic cotton from Pakistan or India, where it is available. He said he was working with local cotton farmers, encouraging them to pursue organic farming techniques, and in our conversation it was clear that the environmental and social impact of the company at every level was considered. I told him it seemed more important to encourage and work with local farmers than to use the energy to fly cotton to his factory from half-way around the world, and that long-term working with locals was more likely to create lasting change.

Unique details include a x-ray skeleton imprint on the lining of the pockets; this is of the hip bone, which sits right where your hips would rest against the fabric. Photo: Starre Vartan

Despite their small-batch aesthetic (or maybe because of it) there were plenty of styles of jeans to check out; skinny-legged jeans in colors (and a cool grey that I fell in love with) old-school dark denim, and even a wash that I’d never seen before. Victor told me was collected by a local man with a passion for vintage denim who had passed along his find to Victor; there were only a few rolls of material to work with. They are also experimenting with various dye techniques themselves and are planning on going beyond jeans, expanding into a clothing line.

Original denim-sewing machines are in use at Raleigh Denim Photo: Nick Pironio

Victor is truly a denim aficionado, having studied sewing and stitching techniques from original American denim makers and utilizing vintage sewing machines in the creation of the jeans. He rolled up legs and pulled down waists to show me different types of stitches used on different styles of jeans, introduced me to Raleigh Denim’s collection of machines, and described the hand cutting and finishing that went into each pair.

Buttons and rivets are placed by hand Photo: Starre Vartan

But he and Sarah are also businesspeople too, and aren’t so mired in the history of denim and ensuring that their business is low-impact that they aren’t aware of the bottom line. “To be truly sustainable, you have to be sustainable financially too,” says Victor.

You can read more about Victor and Sarah, and Raleigh Denim, in this month’s issue of American Elle in the “Americana” feature. Thanks to Curtiss Martin for the introduction to these denim pioneers!

denim, jeans, local, sustainable

Eco-Chic Decor from Bacchus-Inspired Aesthetics

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by Starre Vartan · 09/13/09

Guest post by Shireen Quodosi

What comes more easily in this economy than an assortment of empty wine bottles after you’ve just thrown a smashing get-together? With the preference being on sourcing cheap entertaining ideas, most people now see staying at home with a good meal and great wine as a viable alternative to spending money on restaurants and clubs.

Wine Bottle Ideas:

There are a number of ways to reuse wine bottles. Among the more common ideas are reusing them as water pitchers, votive vases, torches, and flower bed liners. However, there are dozens of other smart options that are rarely explored.

Rewined Recycled Glassware – Get uniquely hued wine bottle glassware made from orphaned bottles left behind at local restaurants and bars.

Water Feeders – On a very hot day or when you’re away, fill the bottles of water and stick them into the pot or soil near your plant. The water will slowly percolate from the bottle and into the soil.

Wine Bottle Chandeliers – In addition to the popular row lighting and pendant lighting, Pottery Barn put together an interesting chandelier with wine bottles strung around it. Even though four dozen other people will likely have the same statement piece, at least you know it’s a unique sustainable element in your home. Plus it catches the light beautifully during the day and especially at sunset.

cape, car, cocktails, decor, design, farm, Hollywood, Home, Lighting, liquor, local, Lush, oil, Organic, recycle, recycled, reference, restaurant, reuse, style, sustainability, sustainable, Tea, water, Water Bottle, Wine, wood

People Won't Change for the Environment (on my campus)

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by Katie Kish · 09/03/09

A recent article outlines a pretty simplistic poll conducted in London about people’s willingness to change their behaviour for the good of the planet.

A straw poll of 15 British men and 15 British women between the ages of 25-75 in central London, showed all were willing to make small changes for the environment, such as recycling, but few would commit to more fundamental changes to behavior.

The outcome was pretty surprising. People will “try” to drive less, and others take a shot at proper recycling. But no one is ready for a change in their lifestyle. This inspired me. I was sure I could find better numbers and results here in Toronto, Canada. We are supposed to be eco-friendly up here, right?

bags, book, books, business, car, clothes, clothing, consumption, eating, Eco-Chick, electronics, Energy, Food, fur, Home, local, London, meat, News, plastic, plastic bags, plastics, Recycling, reduce, skin, style, Vote, women

Eco Chic Weekly 8/29/09

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by Amanda Quraishi · 08/29/09

Eco Chic Weekly compiles the best of the best in green fashion and beauty blogging each week. Please feel free to copy and use this post on your blog with a link back to Fashion, Evolved.

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Learn how to make ethical fashion choices and upcycle your existing wardrobe this week on Green Girls Global.
Check out the Eco Fashion World interview with Maroussia Rebecq, founder of the Andrea Crews Collective.
Eco-Chick has rounded up some Eco Fashion News from around the web!
The Eco Diva goes local with Etsy.com!
Learn about Bangladesh Garment Factories Going Fair Trade at Ethical Style!
Check out Curatorial’s Limited Edition Collection featured on Feelgood Style.
Green Grechen discusses the impacts of milk silk.
Want to see some of the best organic fashion on sale today? Green Lashes and Fashion has a round up!
8 Ways to Get the Closest Eco Shave for Men and Women–on Greenopia!
Inhabitat is featuring the very drool-worthy Noon Solar Bags.
Modern Hippie Mag has a question about hair oil in their Ask the Beauty Chick column.
Are You a Green Beauty? Take the Quiz on Planet Green!
Upcycled bags are better the second time around…so says The Alternative Consumer!
Join in the Vintage Jewelry Obsession this Fall at The Green Girls.
The Thrifty Chicks are Standing Naked in a Thrift Store.
Treehugger dishes on the 7 Common Cosmetics Ingredients You Need to Avoid!
Fashion, Evolved interviews Jaszy McAllister creator of ethical, beautiful Jaszy’s Jewelry.