What is Alabama Chanin?
Alabama Chanin is a southern-born and raised brand all about transparency. From the organic, sustainably sourced cotton farmed in Texas to the clothes being manufactured in Alabama. The brand is all about keeping their supply chain unbroken and fully visible.
The Problem with Fast Fashion
Unfortunately, a fragmented supply chain is the norm in much of fashion today. Rather than keeping all their business near or onsite, large brands now outsource the majority of their manufacturing to countries mostly in Asia.
This shift allows for cheaper production and higher potential profits at the expense of millions of workers’ safety.
The outsourced factories are often not pre-qualified to meet appropriate working conditions. There’s a long, horrific (and recent) history of clothing factory fires in Bangladesh and other Asian countries because of an utter disregard for proper regulation.
Clothing factory employees often work in squalor during 10-hour shifts for pennies. These are conditions no one should have to endure.
A cheap t-shirt is not worth subjecting millions to backbreaking, disease-inducing labor. Especially when those who benefit most from the workers’ destitution are at the top of fast fashion brands making billions of dollars.
(Shoutout to Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes by Dana Thomas for her important, informative work on fast fashion and its impacts.)
Fast fashion thrives on deception. It hides the sources of its production for a reason. If you knew who was getting exploited for that $15 sweater I would hope there’s a high chance you wouldn’t purchase it at all.
What Sets Alabama Chanin Apart
At Alabama Chanin, everything is laid bare. Every piece of their clothing is either manufactured at The Factory (home to AC’s flagship store and manufacturing studios) or by local artisans.
The artisans bid on sewing the piece, AC chooses the appropriate hire, then upon completion, it is hand-delivered back to AC for delivery to the buyer.
In this way local craftspeople get paid while also ensuring a quality product is produced; every Alabama Chenin garment is made-to-order.
Each garment is given proper attention to detail – And it shows. Every piece is well-constructed, comfortable and clean. They make essentials like tanks and tees plus gorgeous fitted jackets and other reserved statement pieces.
Their apparel’s price point is higher than a lot of other brands with similar styles, but the cost matches the value. By purchasing something from Alabama Chanin, you’re making the decision to pay skilled laborers what they’re owed for their efforts.
You’re deciding to support local, organic cotton farms and mills. You’re deciding to champion designers who prioritize the quality of their garments over their own profits.
There’s significantly more money in fast fashion for the executives.
At Alabama Chanin, the executives prefer slow growth to honor their mission: ethically produced and sourced materials to make fashion driven by community.
Lessons Learned From Alabama Chanin
We have a lot to learn from Alabama Chanin. Their ethically sourced and produced apparel prioritize people and real fashion over profits.
By employing those within their community and neighboring states, and releasing small collections with a focus on design, they are making an honorable stand against the mammoth that is fast fashion.
Considering AC’s been kicking for 20 some years, their upward trajectory is surely only just beginning. I’m excited to see other brands emulate their mission so we can all join together and save fashion.
Other Ethically Produced Brands We Love