We were so happy to read Fast Company’s article, Recession Proof Fashion? Look for the “Made In Albama” Label. This article is music to our ears and a concept we at Smashing Darling wholeheartedly believe in from the depths of our very souls. It is one of the major reasons we built our website. We wanted to let the everyone know about all the great designers who work directly with their customers and hand make their product. We have also seen the trend of people spending money on more meaningful products. We have found that people want to connect on a personal level with the products they are buying and to connect with the designers they are buying them from. We think the trend to purchase from smaller boutique brands is only going to grow. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
‘The most heartwarming story to come out of Fashion Week is taking place far across town from the posh tents at Bryant Park, in the slightly down-at-the-heels precincts of New York’s East Village.’ (We Love this opening line of the article.)
The one line in the article that we didn’t quite understand, and in our world doesn’t need to be said is, “Despite their down-home DNA, these are hardly thrift shop garments. Chernin’s line is available at such tony shops as Barney’s, Bergdorf Goodman, and Harvey Nichols.”
Not quite sure why this needs to be stated. Don’t the pictures of this gorgeous clothing in the article speak volumes about the quality, design, and craftsmanship that went into them? It makes for a very sad thought if the general consensus is to think down-home, hand made is somehow sub prime in the fashion industry.
details from Alabama Chanin clothing
After you read the Fast Company article, keep your eyes open. We hope this article will make you more aware of local designers or boutiques that showcase local designers. Maybe it will make you stand in a boutique an extra moment to notice the beautiful detail of a garment. Might even make you start to wonder who designed and made it, and wonder what their story is.
