These films were featured on the final night of the nD Festival in Nashville, TN. We hope the stories of these designers inspire you as they have inspired us.
Archive for September, 2010
30
Sep
10
nD Festival films
The nD (indie) Festival has drawn to a close, and as we left Nashville this morning the positive energy, vivid memories and overall excitement generated by the five-day celebration came along with us.
We are so grateful for the commitment of the nD artists, including Project Artisan designers Debe Dohrer, Betsy Hindman of Plum Vintage, Amanda Urrego of many will see, and Brooke Shipley of Coquette swimwear. Their participation in the Patrons Party was stunning, as displays were set up in the Zeitgeist Gallery and swimwear models graced the Belcourt stage.
We also thank Nike Kondakis for traveling all the way from Kenya to feature her collection of dresses and accessories made from recycled parachutes and dead wood brought back to life.
Last night was a dream come true for me. In case you missed it, let me just tell you that the EnD fashion show combined three things I love the most: film, fashion and music. When I started the process of building Project Artisan two years ago, I could imagine the profound impact of this site. Last night, I saw it firsthand as regional designers Imogene + Willie, Billy Reid and Alabama Chanin, told their stories through film and showed their lines on the Belcourt’s runway. In doing so, they connected to nearly 300 participants.
Connections… among people, places, and their passions…that is what I love to make happen. It is such an inspiration to see my favorite designers reach new audiences, and that is exactly what happened through the festival.
Part of the reason I wanted to involve Project Artisan in the festival was to launch our site and introduce it to the world through a celebratory event to support a good cause- the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville, Tennessee. nD Festival did attract a lot of attention from bloggers, local and national media, and we are so thankful for that attention- for the designers, the Babel musicians who performed, the Belcourt, and also for Project Artisan.
Leaving Nashville and the festival we take with us our excitement, passion and fond memories of the event. More importantly, we are even more strongly committed to our work. Thank you for your participation.
Eight days ago I wrote that when I grew up I wanted to be as cool as Imogene + Willie, potentially because that’s what everyone (Nina Thomas, Gwyneth Paltrow and Lucky Magazine) had been talking about. But a few days and couple thousand miles later, here i n Nashville it has become clear i just want to be nD cool. That isn’t to say that I didn’t tear up through the Imogene + Willie portion of the documentary during the nD Festival’s final fashion show, but the whole weekend has taught me not only is there more to Nashville, but there are more Project Artisans.
I came from Salt Lake City, wide eyed and eager to see a place I held great blind eye adoration for, and i wasn’t disappointed. Sitting in the Belcourt Theater, the final night of the festival, I found myself happier then I had been in years. Just to be surrounded by such creativity made me want to explode with exuberant joy!
I came to Nashville to see its version of creative chic, and I will leave feeling so recharged that will I never actually want to leave. But the reality is that I live in a land with its own style and grace, a land I must return to. Before I do though, I will leave you with the images that I have burnt into my own creative mind.
26
Sep
10
A French Feast- nD Day 4
Yesterday afternoon, nD guests dined and watched the French classic film, Tour de Fete by Jacques Tati in the historic Belcourt Theatre in Nashville, TN. The brunch was donated by Provence and artist Robby Hecht entertained guests before the film started.
25
Sep
10
nD Festival Patrons Party
Last night, close to 150 nD Festival Patrons filled Zeitgeist gallery where Project Artisan designers Debe Dohrer, Brooke Shipley, Betsy Hindman, Amanda Urrego, and Kenyan designer Nike Kondakis, showed their creations. The night featured a musical performance by artist Joshua Payne. After the Patron’s Party, guests strolled down to the Belcourt Theatre for a Coquette Swimwear runway show and Jacques Tati’s film M. Hulot’s Holiday. The Green Bag Lady generously donated the patrons gift bags, which were filled with delicious give-aways including gourmet chocolate, skincare products and a CD by featured nD artists the PawnShop Kings.
Check out these photos from Belcourt volunteer Frank Keese.
22
Sep
10
nD Festival Opening Night
Nashville boutiques Billy Reid, H. Audrey and Cosmetic Market were packed with patrons this evening as the nD Festival officially commenced with an evening of fashion, film, music and more. Guests milled through the stores in the Hill Center and enjoyed beverages and food donated for the event, including the wine and whiskey. I think all agreed by the end of the night, that nothing goes better with classic, finely crafted Southern-influenced American clothing by Billy Reid than a little whiskey. H. Audrey offered pieces for sale by Alabama Chanin. Donations were collected for the Belcourt, and the cash registers were ringing all night with percentages of sales going back to the landmark nonprofit theatre.
Tonight’s event was just one of the events featured in the 5-day nD Festival. If you missed tonight’s event, please join us at Imogene + Willie for more nD fun tomorrow night. Supper, Song and Cinema starts at 5pm at Imogene+Willie on 12 South in Nashville. The film is The Wild One starring Marlon Brando. Food will be provided by Mas Tacos. For more information, check out www.ndfestival.com. And keep checking this blog for more photos of the event.
Many of the designs featured throughout the week can be found on Project Artisan’s
Designer Brooke Shipley and Project Artisan Founder Robin Keyser
Patrons Caroline, Lee, Neil and Paige at Billy Reid
Robin Keyser with Jason and Amos at Billy Reid
The Project Artisan team welcomed friends to join in the celebration. The nD Festival, which PA is a key sponsor, is one of several launch events for Project Artisan.
A fashionisto in the making
These patrons enjoyed a little conversation just before music started at Billy Reid
site. 
Patrons and guests filled the stores
Guests enjoyed the upstairs of H. Audrey where wine was on tap and food was plentiful.
Robin Keyser and David Yepiz at Billy Reid
Let me explain. Nashville is putting on a five-day fete to celebrate independent film makers, musicians and fashion and jewelry designers who will generously donate a portion of their sales to support a good cause: that of a nationally-acclaimed neighborhood landmark film/theatre/music/art venue known as The Belcourt. As one of the key sponsors, Project Artisan will have a significant presence, as will PA designers Alabama Chanin, Imogene + Willie, Debe Dohrer, many will see, Nike Kondakis, Plum Vintage, and Brooke Shipley.
The nD Festival is born.
(nD= Indie or Independent, see?)
It all started with an idea to replace the wobbly old “buckin’ bronco” seats in the historic Belcourt’s 1966 Theater (to match the new seats in their adjacent 1925 movie house)
So yee haw, let’s get this party started.
Wednesday, September 22nd signals the nD kickoff, beginning with whiskey, wine, and shopping… but not necessarily in that order! Here’s a chance to buy clothing and accessories from internationally-known designers Billy Reid and Natalie Chanin, along with cutting edge designs from H. Audrey (owned by country music star Holly Williams) and personal care items from The Cosmetics Market.
Thursday, the 23rd will bring you to Imogene + Willie; the denizens of all things denim, for Supper, Song and Cinema. Tacos, shopping, friendly chatter, music, and an outdoor 16mm showing of Marlon Brando’s “The Wild One” await you: the ultimate in old-school cool.
Friday the 24th will draw you to Zeitgeist Gallery for the Patron Party and a showing of beautiful jewelry by Project Artisan designers Debe Dohrer, many will see, Nike Kondakis, and Plum Vintage. Project Artisan is an international e-commerce site for established and emerging designers who are progressive in terms of creativity and social consciousness. Women in little black dresses (think Robert Palmer girls) will be wearing pieces available for sale. Feel free to admire and buy right off the models. Project Artisan will donate a portion of the proceeds to The Belcourt. Then you will proceed to the actual Belcourt Theater for a showing of Jacques Tati’s “ M. Hulot’s Holiday”.
Saturday the 25th means matinee madness with Mimosa, Marys and a Movie, namely Jacques Tati’s “Jour de Fete”. And did I mention music by Robby Hecht?
Sunday the 26th is the EnD fashion show…a fashion show to end all fashion shows…or at least to end the nD Festival! Held in the 1925 theater with cushy seats and lush red velvet drapes, the show will begin with cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and music by PawnShop Kings. Libby Callaway is the “all that’ stylist for a show that will feature Alabama Chanin, Billy Reid, Imogene +Willie and Project Artisan designers. Libby’s progressive sense of style, sense of humor, and impeccable sense of theatrical timing will burst forth in this show to EnD all shows!
For details like how to buy tickets, the locations and times for each event and, of course, what to wear… Check this out: http://www.ndfestival.com
It started with an article in People Magazine. That is the response I would have to give if I am to go to my inspiration for what is now Project Artisan. I am asked this question almost daily it seems, as Project Artisan takes root and grows.
I can easily talk about trying to introduce a fashion line handcrafted in Brazil: all the years of stops and starts trying to fit my vision into a world dominated by mass production. I think about the 200 women who worked from their homes to produce this line and how they inspired me to keep trying. I can explain how Project Artisan came into existence in order to allow a designer like Gisele Barbosa to make a living, while doing right by those who depended on her. But, first I need to talk about People Magazine and Natalie: Natalie Chanin and the women of Florence, Alabama.
Natalie left her home in Florence, Alabama to work in the fashion industry in New York and later Europe before a simple t-shirt would change her life. Natalie tells of stitching together t-shirts from her apartment in New York, t-shirts she couldn’t make fast enough to keep up with demand. She realized that she was going to need some help– help from others who could stitch in the old-world style that she had started with that original t-shirt. The stitching was familiar, a fine craftsmanship learned at home in Florence; it was a simple quilting stitch.
The rest is history as Natalie moved back to Florence to reunite with the women she needed to help her, and who also needed her help. She employed women who no longer had jobs in garment factories because their jobs were lost to cheaper labor; women, young and old, all stitching together in both a quilting bee and cottage industry style. Their clothing that would later adorn the most fashionable woman in the world.
What did I see in that People Magazine article almost 10 years ago that would become a source of inspiration for my life a decade later? I saw a picture of Natalie Chanin surrounded by generations of women: girls, grandmothers and mothers. I saw the faces of women who worked in the garment factories of Alabama and who could have easily been my own grandmother or mother. I saw women that might well be the last in a long line of quilters in their families, if not for the work of Natalie Chanin. I saw women who had secure jobs where they were treated with love and respect.
In Natalie’s face, I saw a woman who followed her heart and her dream to make a difference in the lives of so many. I saw a woman that lived and continues to live an authentic life. I saw a woman who had the courage and vision that I still aspire to have.
Today I am proud to welcome Natalie and her line, Alabama Chanin, to Project Artisan. Today, a dream comes true.
Written by Nina Thomas
If our favorite things could talk, what tales would they tell?
I love Rob Walker’s “Consumed” piece in the Times in which he observes that “to tell the story of object creation—a clothing designer will attach the story of how it was made and by whom.”
And I swear that story is expressed through the object itself. Every time I wear my Gisele Barbosa jacket or my penknife necklace from Imogene + Willie, people comment, touch, and become downright mesmerized. Project Artisan designers truly make magic through their creations. No hocus pocus here. Read this:
06
Sep
10
Labor Day History Lesson
We can thank labor unions for our day off of work and the afternoon barbecues today, Labor Day. While enjoying our weekend, the PA team began to discuss just how important labor unions have been in the fashion industry. So, with that in mind, we wanted to share a little history behind one union in particular that started in 1911 after a devastating industrial fire in a garment factory in New York. As you read this story, consider the broad scope of what unions have done to improve the conditions and wages of labor standards and practices over the last century.
On March 25, 1911, a tragic fire struck the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City, and to this day it is considered to be one of the largest industrial disasters in the country’s history. The fire killed a total of 146 women who either died in flames, from asphyxiation, or jumping from windows to escape.
The managers locked the doors and stairwells of the building so that employees would not steal linens from the factory. As a result, the workers, almost all of whom were women, searched for a way out. They jumped through windows on the 9th and 10th floors that the firetruck ladders could not reach.
Most of the 500 women employed by the garment factory were young immigrant women who worked long days 6 days a week. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the horror of the women jump from the burning building. One reported watching a man and woman kiss at the window before jumping to their death. By the time help arrived, they had a difficult time setting up ladders because of all of the bodies surrounding the building, one report indicated.
Though the exact cause of the fire is unknown, there are a number of speculations, including cigarette ashes, a sewing machine malfunction, and others. What is known is that a scrap of fabric caught fire, and the fire quickly spread. There was no alarm system to alert the other women in the factory.
The fire prompted the fight for legislation requiring improved factory safety standards. Most importantly, it inspired organization and was the pivotal event that led to the formation of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union, which fought for better and safer working conditions for sweatshop workers in that industry.
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory was located inside the Asch Building, now known as the Brown Building of Science. It has been designated as a National Historic Landmark and a New York City landmark.
Help is on the way for the garment factory.
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