In 2009, the Songbirds collection is designed and shown in New York City the following year. Inspired by American Folk Singers, the collection features female vocalists and musicians from across the country. Li Edelkoort and Philip Fimmano open the doors of The Firehouse—the East Village headquarters of Edelkoort, Inc. and Trend Union—to host a live performance and photoshoot. The photographs feature Abigail Washburn, Allison Moorer, Ashley Monroe, Elizabeth Cook, Samantha Parton, and Shonna Tucker—our local heroine—and include passages from “Littlest Birds,” written by Samantha Parton and performed by The Be Good Tanyas.
The following conversation with Allison Moorer was conducted via email on December 6, 2021.
Alabama Chanin: What is your earliest memory of Natalie and/or Alabama Chanin?
Allison Moorer: I found Natalie/Alabama Chanin in 2008. I was so drawn to what she was doing and was simply delighted that she offered sewing kits. I finished my first Swing Skirt in May 2008 while backstage somewhere in Italy, and did my first workshop with her in Florence, Alabama the following July. I was dying inside as she looked over that first skirt I made (I was brave enough to wear it to the get-acquainted gathering on the first night of the weekend). And now I know my stitches were too small! I’ve since made that first attempt into red cocktail napkins, and am happy to say that, in the past twelve years, I’ve sewn many garments of which I’m very proud, including my wedding skirt, corset, and bolero.
AC: How do you think Alabama Chanin has impacted and/or influenced sustainability in the industry over the past 20 years?
AM: Everyone I know who has great personal style and is also a cool person knows about Alabama Chanin. That alone influences thinking and action, in a butterfly-flapping-its-wings-sense. The message that all garments are made by someone in one way or another has been more deeply ingrained in me through my knowledge of Alabama Chanin, not only because I can see the work that goes into the garments but because the process is explained. It’s of real value to the world to be able to impress upon someone that the clothes on their back come from the earth, and that each of the materials that make up these clothes is ultimately passed through many sets of hardworking hands before it arrives in their closets.
AC: Do you have a favorite Alabama Chanin piece, collection, or collaboration? If so, why does this stand out to you?
AM: I am fortunate to have so many, but I adore my floor length skirts and, in particular, my Alabama Fur pieces.
AC: 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?
AM: Beauty.
AC: As our industry evolves, what do you hope to see for the future? Where do you see Alabama Chanin in this vision?
AM: I hope that we continue to be educated on the making processes behind the products we use in our daily lives. If we are mindful of where these things originate, we can make better-informed choices. Alabama Chanin is already a part of that vision, pioneering in the field of transparent processes.
AC: Finally, is there anything you’d like to say to Natalie or the Alabama Chanin team?
AM: Natalie, I love and admire you. Thanks to all of you for providing me with not only some of my most treasured garments—either made by you or through a kit you made for me—but also for helping me learn and grow with every stitch I sewed. There is beauty, rhythm, peace, and community with the past, present, and future to be found in hand sewing. As Louise Bourgeois said, “the act of sewing is a process of emotional repair."
Explore Allison Moorer’s beautiful music and work, and follow along @1allisonmoorer.
Explore Abigail Washburn’s music and creative works, and follow along @abigailwashburn.
Hear Ashley Monroe latest releases and follow along @ashleymonroemusic.
Explore Elizabeth Cook’s music and follow along @elizabethcookforsheriff.
Explore Shonna Tucker’s moving music and follow along @shonnat.
Learn more about Samantha Parton’s latest projects and follow along @samparton_.
Learn more about The Be Good Tanyas and follow along @thebegoodtanyas.
Listen to “Littlest Birds” here, written by Samantha Parton and performed by The Be Good Tanyas.
Slide 1: T-shirt with backstitch embroidery from the Alabama Chanin Songbirds collection in collaboration with Allison Moorer’s then-company 1 Turtle Dove, The Firehouse, New York City, 2010, photograph by Russ Harrington
Slide 2: Abigail Washburn wearing a jacket with indigo-dyed whipstitch appliqué during her performance at The Firehouse, New York City, Alabama Chanin’s Songbirds collection, 2010, photograph by Russ Harrington
Slide 3: Indigo-dyed coat with couching and embroidery, photograph by Peter Stanglmayr; Abigail Washburn wearing a jacket with indigo-dyed whipstitch appliqué, photograph by Russ Harrington, Alabama Chanin’s Songbirds collection, 2010, The Firehouse, New York City
Slide 4: Samantha Parton wearing a jacket and dress in beaded Angie’s Fall; Elizabeth Cook wearing a bandana with cretan embroidery and indigo-dyed hooded jacket during performances in Nashville, Tennessee, Alabama Chanin’s Songbirds collection, 2010, photographs by Russ Harrington
Slide 5: Indigo-dyed designs from Alabama Chanin’s Songbirds collection, The Firehouse, New York City, 2010, photograph by Nick Wolf
Slide 6: Shonna Tucker wearing a dress in reverse appliqué Anna’s Garden, indigo-dyed Peplum jacket, and stenciled Angie’s Fall bandana; Ashley Monroe wearing a Wrap Dress in reverse appliqué and cotton jersey necklace during performances in Nashville, Tennessee, Alabama Chanin’s Songbirds collection, 2010, photographs by Russ Harrington
Slide 7: Top with backstitch embroidery from the Alabama Chanin Songbirds collection in collaboration with Allison Moorer’s then-company 1 Turtle Dove, 2010, photograph by Rinne Allen; Allison Moorer wearing an Angie’s Fall Swing Coat with beading and relief appliqué, The Firehouse, New York City, Alabama Chanin’s Songbirds collection, 2010, photograph by Russ Harrington