The number of artisans hand-sewing Project Alabama collections grows to over 120 as the collectable pieces are sold in approximately 60 stores around the world. The twice-yearly showroom moves from the Oscar Wilde Suite at L’Hotel to the larger Hôtel de Crillon to accommodate the growing collections. Project Alabama begins a partnership for a machine-made line of clothing with Gibo, a renowned manufacturer located just outside of Florence, Italy, in the city of Bergamo. The Florence-Florence connection between hand-sewn and machine-made lines is celebrated as the collections are shown and sold together.
Women’s Wear Daily reports on September 11, 2003:
“We’re in the initial stages of creating a scenario where we can work together,” Marone-Cinzano said. “Gibo is probably one of the best manufacturers in Italy. They can make a product by machine that is very intricate. Since we have a lot of potential clients we cannot satisfy because everything is handmade here, we’re looking to be able to meet that demand with some machine production, but a high level of quality.”
Read the full Women’s Wear Daily piece here.
Explore the Hôtel de Crillon here.
Slide 1: Slip dress from Project Alabama Machine featuring the Job Flowers pattern, photograph by Les Deux Garçons at the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, France, 2004
Slide 2: Design choices for the Project Alabama Machine collection, 2004, photograph by Robert Rausch
Slide 3: Project Alabama Machine coat from the Fall/Winter 2004 collection, photograph by Abraham Rowe, Project Alabama Machine top from the Fall/Winter 2004 collection featuring Job Flowers and Machines, photograph by Abraham Rowe
Slide 4: Detachable Hood from the Project Alabama Machine Fall/Winter 2004 collection, photograph by Les Deux Garçons at the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, France, 2004
Slide 5: Cape with leather details from the Project Alabama Machine Fall/Winter 2004 collection, photograph by Les Deux Garçons at the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, France, 2004; Leather Half-Chaps from the Project Alabama Machine Fall/Winter 2004 collection, photograph by Les Deux Garçons at the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, France, 2004
Slide 6: Skirt as dress with coat and leather belt from the Project Alabama Machine Fall/Winter 2004 collection, photograph by Les Deux Garçons at the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, France, 2004
Slide 7: Hunting Vest with skirt from the Project Alabama Machine Fall/Winter 2004 collection, photograph by Les Deux Garçons at the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, France, 2004; Reversible All-Weather Jacket featuring Job Flowers and Machines from the Project Alabama Machine Fall/Winter 2004 collection, photograph by Abraham Rowe