Natalie and Peter Stanglmayr first meet in the mid-1990s in Vienna, Austria. After reconnecting in Brooklyn in the spring of 2000, Natalie attends Peter’s birthday party, sewing her first deconstructed t-shirt to wear for the occasion. The two go on to collaborate on photography projects across two decades.
In 2021, Peter travels with Kimry Blackwelder across the boroughs of New York City to photograph Sally Singer and Maria Cornejo for Alabama Chanin’s 21 Years Celebration—what you are reading today is the culmination of that work.
The following conversation between Peter and Kimry Blackwelder took place on September 3, 2021—with Kimry writing from Bridgehampton, NY and Peter from Vienna, Austria.
Kimry Blackwelder: What is your earliest memory of Natalie and/or Alabama Chanin?
Peter Stanglmayr: Natalie came to my surprise birthday party in Brooklyn and was wearing her first Alabama t-shirt (made especially for this occasion) and history was made!
KB: How do you think Alabama Chanin has impacted and/or influenced sustainability in the industry over the past 20 years?
PS: By caring how, where, and by whom things are being made.
KB: Do you have a favorite Alabama Chanin piece, collection, or collaboration? If so, why does this stand out to you?
PS: Several, but the two I love most are a custom-made quilt and a hoodie that travels with me everywhere. The quilt is on my bed and is embroidered with a quote from Leigh Bowery.
KB: What do you feel is Alabama Chanin’s most enduring quality? We want to know what comes to mind first and what resonates with you.
PS: Natalie’s vision, her collaborations, and the quality and love with which each piece is made.
KB: As our industry evolves, what do you hope to see for the future? Where do you see Alabama Chanin in this vision?
PS: More, more, more.
KB: Finally, is there anything you’d like to say to Natalie or the Alabama Chanin team?
PS: Thank you all, for continuing this amazing company and project and making this world a more beautiful and conscious place.
Explore Peter Stanglmayr’s beautiful work here.
Follow along in his adventures @stanglmayr.
Slide 1: Sally Singer at Makeshift DIY sewing event at The Standard Penthouse, 2012, photograph by Peter Stanglmayr (read entries on Sally Singer and the Makeshift events)
Slide 2: Molly Bloom wearing a Halter top and skirt from Alabama Chanin’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection, photograph by Peter Stanglmayr
Slide 3: Natalie and Lisa Fox during the Makeshift 2012 Crafting Fashion pop-up shop at Billy Reid’s Bond Street location in New York City, photograph by Peter Stanglmayr (read entries on Lisa Fox and the Makeshift events)
Slide 4: Maria Cornejo at the Zero + Maria Cornejo store on Bleecker Street in New York, photograph by Peter Stanglmayr (hear from our friend Maria Cornejo here)
Slide 5: Sally Singer in her home in the Lower East Side of New York City, wearing the Natalie’s Pullover, photograph by Peter Stanglmayr (hear the lovely Sally Singer here)
Slide 6: Painting of Natalie Chanin and her daughter, Maggie, by Sara Martin from a photograph by Peter Stanglmayr, 2009, photograph by Robert Rausch (learn more about this photograph and painting in our entry on the 2009 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund)
Slide 7: View from The Standard penthouse where DIY workshops were hosted throughout various Makeshift events, photograph by Peter Stanglmayr; Salvaged chairs for “Crafting Design: A MAKESHIFT Chair Workshop,” 2012, photograph by Susanna Howe
Slide 8: Sketches from “Love and Raw Materials in Food, Fashion, and Design” with Chef Ashley Christensen at The Standard Penthouse, Makeshift 2014, photograph by Peter Stanglmayr
Slide 9: View of New York City skyline (and Makeshift attendees) during the DIY Tote Bag Workshop at The Standard penthouse, Makeshift 2013, photograph by Peter Stanglmayr
Slide 10: Panel discussions at The Standard, Makeshift 2012, photographs by Peter Stanglmayr
Slide 11: Still from Makeshift Tumblr page with assorted totes and quotes from Makeshift Conversations; Tote by Gael Towey, Makeshift Tote Bag Project, 2013, photographs by Peter Stanglmayr (read entries on Gael Towey and the Makeshift Tote Bag Project)
Slide 12: Totes by Tung Chiang and Zoe Turnbull, Makeshift Tote Project, 2013, photograph by Peter Stanglmayr (read entries on the Makeshift Tote Bag Project and our friend and collaborator Zoe Turnbull)
Slide 13: Totes by Natalie Chanin and Joey Jalleo, Makeshift Tote Project, 2013, photograph by Peter Stanglmayr
Slide 14: Totes by Jack Sanders and Lisa Fox, Makeshift Tote Project, 2013, photograph by Peter Stanglmayr
Slide 15: Totes by Sarah Yarborough and Philip March Jones, Makeshift Tote Project, 2013, photograph by Peter Stanglmayr
Slide 16: Tote by Leslie Williamson from the Makeshift Tote Project, 2013, photograph by Peter Stanglmayr