From top left: “Dress for Mary Todd Lincoln”, 1861 by Elizabeth Keckley (pages 30–31); Evening dresses by Madeleine Vionnet, 1930–31 (pages 48–49); Afternoon dress; evening dress; ensemble; evening dress, 1930–31 by Jeanne Lanvin (pages 52–53); Left: Ensembles, 2018 by Mary Katrantzou; Right: Ensembles for Chloé, 2015–17 by Clare Waight Keller (pages 136–137); Left: “Dress by Ann Lowe”, 1966–67 courtesy of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Black Fashion Museum; Right: “Dress by Tina Leser”, c. 1950s (pages 68–69); Left: “Dress by Claire McCardell”, 1940–60; Right: “Pauline Trigère after her 1992 fashion show”; “Suit”, c. 1960s by Pauline Trigère (pages 74–75); Left: “Minidress by Mary Quant”, 1965–66; Right: “Oilskin outfit”, 1963 by Mary Quant (pages 78–79); “Iris van Herpen designs”, 2018 (pages 140–141); Left: “Kate Moss models a tartan wedding dress by Vivienne Westwood”, 1993; Right: “Ensemble”, 1993 by Vivienne Westwood in collaboration with Keith Haring (pages 102–103); Left: “Dress for Comme des Garçons”; Right: “Ensemble for Comme des Garçons”, 2014 by Rei Kawakubo (pages 124–125); Left and bottom right: Lee Dress, 2017; Top right: Chandler Jacket and Austin Skirt, 2018 by Natalie Chanin for Alabama Chanin (pages 128–129); Left: “Katharine Hamnett wearing a protest t-shirt while meeting Margaret Thatcher”, 1984; “Protest t-shirts”, 2007 by Katharine Hamnett; Right: “Dress for Michelle Obama”, 2012 by Tracy Reese (pages 150–151) from 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 is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” ― Coco Chanel
Women have long been the creators and purveyors of beautiful, thought provoking, and revolutionary designs that changed not only the realm of fashion, but the way we dress on a daily basis. Last week on the Journal we discussed The Women Who Revolutionized Fashion: 250 Years of Design, a book full of the “well-known, overlooked, and emerging” female designers (including Natalie and Alabama Chanin) that will be featured in a Peabody Essex Museum exhibit of the same name this November. Inspired by the book, this week we explore the role of women in fashion ― what’s changed, the good work that still needs to be done, and of some the designers themselves who have transformed fashion.
Made It: The Women Who Revolutionized Fashion exhibition at the Peabody Essex Museum
“The Women Designers Who Changed The Way We Dress,” from Vogue
“Her Story: The Female Role in Fashion, Designers discuss how their creations have reflected the struggles of women throughout history,” from WWD
“The Present Is Female: The Designers Behind a Fashion Revolution,” from Vogue
“The 10 Women-Run Fashion Houses Changing How We Dress,” from Refinery 29
“Introducing a Briefing on Diversity & Inclusion in American Fashion,” from the CFDA
In Alabama: “The Story of Ann Lowe: The Alabama Designer Behind Jackie Kennedy’s Iconic Wedding Dress.” Explore Lowe’s designs on the Fashion History Timeline from the Fashion Institute of Technology. You can also read about the designer on our Journal here.
@ Alabama Chanin
For the 2020 holiday season, Natalie has curated a selection of favorite hand-crafted garments and goods to give and enjoy this season—Alabama Chanin designs, new arrivals, and handmade gifts from fellow makers, including our friends at Hable Construction. Explore our selection of gifts worth giving here.
Find our holiday order dates and deadlines here.
@ The School of Making
Explore The School of Making’s holiday gift guide featuring seasonal favorites and gifts for makers. Find new designs, inspiration for your next project, and give the gift of making this season.
@ The Factory
The Factory Store will reopen for the holiday season on November 24th. Plan your visit to view the Collection firsthand, work with our team on your holiday gift selection, and experience Alabama Chanin in-person. We’ll also be hosting a series of special events at The Factory through the holiday season that feature artists and artisans from the region. Find the schedule of events and featured artisans here.
Starting Tuesday, November 24th, the store will be open with the following hours:
Monday by appointment only
Tuesday – Friday | 10am – 5pm
Saturday | 10am – 2pm (December 5th, 12th, and 19th only)
Sunday Closed
Visit us at:
462 Lane Drive
Florence, Alabama 35630
Contact our store team:
Catherine Counts
+1.256.760.1090 x 114
shop@alabamachanin.com
Carlisle Sandy
+1.256.760.1090 x 105
sales@alabamachanin.com
Please note: Due to COVID, guests are required to wear face masks throughout the duration of their time at The Factory and we have masks available, if needed. Until further notice, we will be checking temperatures for all guests, team members, and anyone entering The Factory. Should you have any questions about our safety procedures, please reach out during our store hours.