Au Revoir Project Alabama

Yesterday’s Women’s Wear Daily reported that after six years, Project Alabama has shut its doors. Since its inception, the handmade brand from Florence, AL has served the fashion world with gentle reminders of the organic aesthetics inherent in American craft. The company has staked its reputation on domestic handcraft production, building a network of some 150 sewers that have revived traditional stitchwork in Alabama. This deep-south network of craftspeople, stitching all manner of t-shirts, separates, and even evening gowns, created coveted one-of-a-kind pieces sold to many big-city clients. And, for big-city dollars. Project Alabama’s cofounders Natalie Chanin and Enrico Marone-Cinzano agreed that they would welcome financial backing in order to keep the brand alive.

On the Project Alabama website they offer stitching tips, a short dissertation on how to iron, [P&C loves that!] and an old-timey recipe for chocolate pie. They also offer a glimpse of how they do their thing… To learn to reverse appliqué like a pro, click along for a fun, simple, project that will turn your basic tee into something special.

Project Alabama served as a celebration of American craftwork at its best. It proved that good style and high fashion could be homemade, a little less-than-perfect, and full of personality. It turned our grandmother’s hobbies into haute couture. With the hope and a prayer that a financial angel comes along for Project Alabama, we bid them Au Revoir et À Bientôt – to see them again soon.