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Home Library: Alabama Chanin Studio Style

Elka Karl — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 07:00:42 PDT

I've been a long-time fan of textile artist Natalie Chanin. The Alabama native left her successful career as a costume designer and fashion stylist in New York to return to her hometown of Florence, AL, where she creates fantastically intricate appliquéd textiles for the wardrobe and home. While her first book, Alabama Stitch Book, focused on pattern-making for clothing and some home decorating projects, her latest, Alabama Studio Style ($35), is more of a lifestyle book.

While the book shows you how to create 20 lovely clothing and home décor projects, through the use of sewing, stenciling, and beading, there's much more to be found in its pages than straight projects. Recipes abound, as do in-depth stories of how and why each endeavor should be attempted. And there are plenty of delicious recipes to explore as well, including Put-Up Tomato Tart and Greens & Pot Likker. The book takes you deep into the Alabama Studio world, and for the first time ever, I find myself interested in making a trip to visit the state of Alabama. Natalie Chanin's book is beautifully photographed and written, and the projects and ideas she shares create a vision of a rural village that is thriving with both creativity and community. Check out a few photos and projects from Alabama Studio Style below!

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Casa Verde: Alabama Chanin's Interiors Collection

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:00:20 PDT

While I've featured Alabama Chanin before, the design company's site has beautiful new interior pictures that I thought were worth reflecting upon. Alabama Chanin, the collection of designer Natalie Chanin, features clothing and interior decor pieces that strive to be as environmentally sensitive as possible. Organic cotton, natural indigo dyes, and US-made products are all part of the line. The interior collection offers limited-edition pieces for the home that emphasize upcycling. Natali calls the collection "Alabama Studio Style." Right now, Alabama Chanin's collection includes home furnishings as well as decorative pieces.

To find out more about the interiors collection,

All of the lighting and furniture are handmade, artisan creations that were found in vintage shops, flea markets, or scrapyards in the southeastern United States, and then repurposed. Old metal scraps have been transformed into sculptural objects, and farm chairs feature new seats woven from cotton jersey scraps and old ties. Chandeliers made with old lighting fixtures are decorated with cow bones, string, metals, and sticks retrieved from river beds. Ancient, tattered quilts have been washed, patched, and decorated with appliques and decorative stitching, and all of the pillows in the interiors collection are made from 100 percent Certified Organic Cotton from the Alabama Chanin Fabric Line.

If you're interested in seeing more of the interiors collection, check out the online store.

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2009 Spring Couture: Chanel

FabSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:00:22 PST

Karl was on a strict diet of black, white, and paper when designing Spring couture. I'm predicting white is about to be the color du jour, thanks to Michelle Obama's dreamy Jason Wu gown. As always, Karl was psychic. His designs may have been scaled down, but they were anything but streamlined. Cuts were sharp or voluminous, shoulders and waists were punctuated, and details were both in-your-face and obscure.Varied beading techniques were used, exhibiting the keen craftsmanship of couture. Flower appliques were whimsical, black and white floral motifs were flirtatious. Elaborate head pieces added drama. Separates were aplenty for those watching their wallets. There was no high drama here, but there was plenty to keep couture costumers quenched.

To see loads of Chanel Spring couture,

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Inspired: Cameron Diaz's Reverse Appliqué

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:15:56 PDT

Cameron Diaz's Oscar de la Renta dress, which she wore at the Women in Film Awards, reminded me of another beautiful lady who's fond of appliqué and reverse appliqué. In fact, this designer marks them as signature techniques in her fashion and home décor lines. I've featured her work a few times in the past, along with her inspiring book.

To find out who the designer is,

Cameron's dress reminded me of designer Natalie Chanin, who's made appliqué and reverse appliqué two of her signature techniques. Reverse appliqué is a method creating a cut-out look in a piece, and often uses a contrasting color. In Cameron's dress, the top layer (the white layer) would be the part that would be cut out, while the orange fabric would be laid underneath and stitched over. Natalie's company, Alabama Chanin, has created pillows, dresses, T-shirts, and napkins that use reverse appliqué. This designer claims it's easy to learn (I've done it once or twice, and I'd have to agree), so if you love the look as much as I do, buy her book, which has patterns and directions for projects using appliqué.

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Style Glossary: Appliqué

FabSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:00:22 PST

Appliqué

An ancient needlework technique in which pieces of fabric, embroidery, or other materials are sewn onto a foundation fabric to create designs. This is done through hand or machine stitches. If you recall, Audrina Patridge's green Phillip Lim dress had appliqué detailing around the neck.

Try the technique with this Nicole Miller Embellished Blue Dress ($308, originally $440).

Rachel Bilson, Miley Cyrus, and More Embrace Floral Appliqué in Sexy Red-Carpet Style

Marisa Tom — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 04:00:00 PDT

Forget statement clutches and jawdropping jewels - the latest batch of red-carpet embellishments come by way of super intricate floral appliqué detailing. Gone (for now) are the days of patchwork and snazzy stitching, we think these gorgeous add-ons add an unexpected element of formal dressing elegance. To prove our point, we've seen Elizabeth Banks rock several versions of the trend, with a little help from Atelier Versace and Marc Jacobs; we've spotted Rachel Bilson don a pretty Chanel frock complete with metallic appliqué hem; and we've lusted after Lea Michele's sultry appliqué Marchesa bodice. It's a one-part strategic styling, one-part girlie girl chic, and we're all for the resurgence of this overtly applied technique. Click through to find out which other celebs are getting in touch with their appliqué sides - and shop your favorites!

DIY: Upholstered Stools

Stylelist Home — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:00:03 PDT

We're happy to present a post from one of our favorite sites, Stylelist Home!

There's nothing a great upholstery job can't improve. Need proof? Then look no further than upholstery bootcamp instructor Shelly Leer's latest project. In less than six hours, spread over a two-day span, the Indianapolis resident transformed two Goodwill finds into a stylish Swiss Army-inspired pair of camp stools - all under $30.
The cost is impressive enough, but we're really excited by how Leer discovered an easy, professional way to create finished edges along the Swiss Army cross cutout. She turned standard applique on its head and used a "reverse" technique that involves cutting the fabulous red burlap top layer to display white fabric underneath. The process may seem a little more tedious than regular applique, but the results look more professional and refined (and it's easier than you think!).

In the end, Leer created unexpected Swiss Army-inspired accents for relatively little. With just foam ($10), two $6 fold-up stools she found at Goodwill two years ago, and sturdy and stylish burlap coverings ($8), she now has two adorable fold-up camp stools. In hindsight, she would've added handles for easier transportation. "I should've stitched handles on the side of them. That would've been fabulously clever," she says. But, handles or not, we think these stools are perfect.

Ready to learn how to do it yourself? Head over to Stylelist Home for the full DIY.

McQ by Alexander McQueen Fall 2012

Marisa Tom — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:01:48 PST

Tonight's McQ by Alexander McQueen lineup was a breathtaking showcase of stylized beauty and fashion fantasy. Considering this was the diffusion line's first-ever showing during London Fashion Week, we'd say the bar has been set pretty high. Immersed in dark tones, rich fabrics, and even richer embellishments (think velvet embroidered onto sheer lace), each nipped-waist dress marched out onto the leaf-ridden runway with just the right amount of retro nostalgia and tough-girl attitude. Standout pieces ranged from the super-structured outerwear and signature tartan plaid dress with sheer lace detailing to the brocade-felt skirts and chunky harness-inspired belts. If the impeccable designs alone weren't enough to move you into a state of awe, then tales of the spectacular finale certainly will. As model Kristen McMenamy took her final turn in an ivory lace gown, all went dark except for a spotlight overhead. From there, gold flecks were showered over her from above, she found a rope hidden beneath the foliage, and she pulled herself to the end of the catwalk where a dark enchanted forest awaited her. I promise, I am not making this up. High drama and poetic undertones aside, this collection was exquisite and featured all the tell-tale tailoring that we've come to revere from McQueen wares. Get the breakdown below.

Trends: Tulle ballerina skirts, nipped-waists, embellished lace and velvet, wide belts, long gloves, and super structured outerwear.
Colors: Black, crimson red, ivory, military green, and pops of colorful floral applique.
Key Piece: The nipped-waist shapes ruled, especially the final ivory lace dress.
Accessories: Chunky wide belts, opera-length gloves, fur neck wraps, and lace-up combat-style boots.
Who Would Wear It: The girl who loves a strong, yet ultrafeminine silhouette like Jessica Chastain, Rose Byrne, and Zoe Saldana.

Look of the Day: Daisy Buchanan Glam

FabSugar — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:00:39 PST

Fab reader Blair Stubbe channeled 20s-inspired evening glamour with a sweet dropwaist ensemble. Her long black and sheer Daisy Buchanan-esque dress featured pretty floral appliques and was topped off with a cropped faux fur jacket. She wore vintage chandelier earrings and black pointy-toe pumps as equally Great Gatsby worthy accessorizing touches - definitely a perfect example of understated formal chic.

Congrats Blair Stubbe!

Everyone else, submit your looks, and we might just feature you on FabSugar!

Get Kristen Bell's Gorgeous Beaded Dress From the Showtime Premiere!

Allison McNamara — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:38:26 PST

Kristen Bell stepped out in LA last evening for the premiere of her new TV series, House of Lies, in a stunning minidress by Zuhair Murad. The hand-beaded applique and illusion sleeves exposed the perfect amount of skin, making it equal parts sexy and sweet. Want to channel Kristen's look for a night out? Watch today's FabFlash for some great options.