Alabama Chanin
"'New company, new name!' says Natalie Chanin, second-time Fashion Fund finalist (her first run was in 2005, when her label was called Project Alabama). Fortunately, some things never change. Her clothing is still stitched by local artisans in Florence, Alabama, out of organic materials, and not a single scrap goes to waste (some fabric gets baled and made into couches). And they've still got a homespun-but-modern look (striped pieces for spring were inspired by Agnes Martin paintings). 'It has to be sustainable, and it has to be beautiful,' Chanin says."