Guest Blogger: Natalie Chanin

In Celebration of Earth Day, CIRCA is showcasing those who promote luxury in a sustainable way. We sat down with environmentally conscious designer Natalie Chanin to find out what her style influences are:

Name: Natalie Chanin

Hometown: Florence, Alabama

When did you first start designing:

I think that I was always designing. I have a very early memory of helping my grandmother select fabric for a dress she was making for me.

You have a focus on sustainability. How do you incorporate sustainability into your design:

We work to build a sustainable company from the ground up: from the materials and tools we choose, to the way we run our business, to our books and our work with cultural sustainability. We are in the process of competing book #3 – the highlight of the sewing series.

What was your inspiration for your current collection:

We just celebrated a decade of our work in Alabama and the new collection is a celebration of that decade.

Who is your style icon:

Too many to mention here but they span a wide range: High fashion gurus, writers, journalists, a woman I might spot on a street in Florence, Alabama. I love this line from Carine Roitfeld, “It's often the case that what a women reads makes her more attractive and more elegant than what she wears.”

What is your favorite piece of jewelry:

A beautiful antique necklace that I purchased in an antique store in Vienna, Austria. Exquisite design stands the test of time.

- Natalie Chanin is creative director of Alabama Chanin, a brand that focuses on slow design and sustainability. Products are made-by-hand using a combination of new, organic and recycled materials, by artisans that live and work in and around Florence, Alabama. For more on Alabama Chanin, visit their website or find them on Facebook.

Images: A look from the Alabama Chanin Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection, courtesy: Style.com; Alabama Chanin charm bracelet: www.alabamachanin.com