Christin’s blog, with a ch, is one of my very favorites – we became friends through our mutual obsession with cleanses and natural beauty, and I adore her sense of style. No surprise, I love all of her picks and can’t wait to check out SW Basics when I’m in New York next month!
I’m sure that you all know… and love.. The City Sage. Anne Sage’s blog is one of my longtime favorites and she has the unique ability to find the very best things on the internet, so I was thrilled to have her share some of her favorite American-made items…
Inspired by the Nashville company founder’s vintage tee collection, this shirt spent years in development for a fit and feel that starts out in heaven and only gets better from there.
This bag seriously goes the distance; it makes for brilliant airline carry on, and transitions to a streamlined work satchel when you reach your destination.
Philadelphia ceramics studio Object + Totem creates exquisite, heirloom-quality objects that look both delicate and earthy, all at the same time.
With its easy yet flattering drape and air of raw sophistication, this dress exemplifies why I adore everything coming out of Black Crane’s Los Angeles facilities.
LA-based Matteo is my original Made in America love, and with the softest linens this side of Belgium, is it any wonder they still have a spot in my heart a decade later?
As I mentioned earlier, Anne and I also worked together on the primary copy for TAE! Trust me when I say that my initial thoughts for the mission/tagline/etc. were all at least 12 pages long… so we have Anne to thank for the brevity that we ended up with! Anne just wrote a sweet post about the site on her blog – make sure to check it out!
After interviewing Rebecca Atwood to learn more about her line, I asked her to share her five favorite made in America items… as always, I discovered a few new lines I’m excited to investigate!
Rebecca Atwood launched her first line of gorgeous hand dyed and painted pillows and vintage-framed artwork last April… conveniently, right as we were moving into a new place. I was lucky to snag my favorite pillows and was amazed by the quality when they arrived (I used to source throw pillows and in general am pretty snobby about textiles!). The work evident in these items is phenomenal; Rebecca is a true artist and has created an amazing line. I’m not the only person who thinks so – her line blew up the blogosphere and is now available at retailers including Steven Alan, Garde Shop, and Furbish studio. Her second collection launched yesterday. She was kind to chat with me a few weeks ago… for more inspiration, check out her blog, The Fold!
I’m not team sports oriented, I’m very competitive with myself. My parents instilled that in us – you have to work hard, so you better love what you are doing.
Family and friends. My dad is a big influence, he always told me to do what you are passionate about. When I decided to major in painting (as opposed to something that seemed more commercially viable, like textile design) my dad was so excited and said – why would you do anything else?
My husband. He works long hours so I look forward to seeing him when he gets home.
My morning cup of coffee.
Building in creative time each week – time for making doesn’t always happen but it’s important to focus on it – it’s a good reminder as to why I’m doing what I’m doing.
I’m not the stylish sister! [note – Becca’s referring to her older sister, blogger Grace Atwood – I think there can be more than one stylish sister in a family!] I love my basics and I like to keep things pretty simple. I’m a jeans girl. I love Emerson Fry, my Clare Vivier pouch. I do love interesting shoes. I’m not a big jewelry person – I love my delicate everyday pieces.
Walking around my neighborhood in Brooklyn. In the Cape where I grew up – I’m not working when I’m there so I can soak things in. A lot of the line was inspired by the Cape in the off season. Travel – particularly India. I could spend all day in the markets in India.
I wanted to bring back a closeness to the production process, which definitely meant making it here. It is really important to be a part of HOW the product is being made. I’m not opposed to making a product somewhere else, but there is something about being able to go somewhere daily and see the work being done.
I always want some items to be made in house – they let me push things forward and allow for newness and surprises to happen in the process. Being involved and knowing how something is made is so important. Not all designers know how their product is made.
It’s about bringing attention to the production process. I get to choose. I never got to choose before.
So many people! I’m a huge fan of ceramics – Lindsay Emery of Suite One Studio in North Carolina makes my favorite dishes, Josephine Heilpern of Recreation Center in Brooklyn is doing inspiring work with glaze and patterns. I really admire the work ethic and vision of Maura Ambrose of Folk Fibers
I’m so excited about what other people are doing and the movement that is happening.
I never thought I’d have my own business. As I worked in more jobs, I realized that it was what I needed to do to be happy.
Thank you, Rebecca, for taking part in my first brand interview on TAE! So excited to see where you take your brand next!
ALSO! Rebecca has been nominated for a Martha Stewart American Made award! Please be sure to vote for her – up to 6 times a day!
[images by Emily Johnston Anderson, courtesy of Rebecca Atwood]
Rebecca Atwood is a TAE A-list brand.
