Alternative Apparel Blog

Inside the Brand: Project Alternative

Last night, members of the Alternative family gathered together at our headquarters to participate in a competition inspired by the popular fashion design television show, Project Runway. Atlanta and L.A. employees with a wide range of fashion design backgrounds entered into the Project Alternative competition. Some had a head start as they are designers in our L.A. office, while others had a chance to express a rarely seen creative side as members of our Warehouse, Human Resources and Customer Experience departments.

Brooklyn Butcher Blocks

The borough of Brooklyn breeds no shortage of artisans whose focus…some may call it obsession…is based on the art of craftsmanship, quality and sustainability. No matter the reasons for this renewed interest in artisan culture, it’s fostering a new appreciation for hand-worked home wares.

Featured Artist: Randy Noborikawa

Everyone has a different way of bringing an idea to life. For instance, some people might write it down immediately, some might call a friend to discuss and others tend to use artistic forms like music or art to bring “something from an idea to reality,” in the words of Randy Noborikawa.

Inside Alternative: Tiffani Williams

When it comes to fashion, Tiffani Williams has a style all her own. A self-proclaimed fan of “old-lady chic” who’s always on the search for handmade adornments and random vintage finds, Tiffani has mastered the art of coordinating unexpected yet perfectly put-together ensembles. Lucky for us, this style-savvy vintage-lover decided to bring her one-of-a-kind creative talent to Alternative's Los Angeles Design Lab. As Senior Product Development Manager, Tiffani specializes in developing and engineering those famous fabrics and specialty washes that give Alternative clothes their signature vintage softness.

Carving a Niche: Master Woodworker Alma Allen

Ironwood, marble, jet, bronze, onyx, obsidian, alabaster and metal are just a few of the myriad materials that sculptor and designer Alma Allen uses to create his one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Specializing in woodworking and furniture art, Allen’s creations are made from simple, reclaimed materials that he finds within his natural surroundings, such as salvaged wood and stones. From custom dressers made with California claro walnut burl—his favorite wood—to sleek coffee tables made of cedar and powder coated metal, Allen’s timeless designs are chunky and solid with a distinct earthiness that reflects his appreciation for nature.

The Integratron

Southern California’s high desert is known for its amazing landscapes, hot weather and history of eccentric residents. One of its lesser-known eccentrics was a retired pilot named George Van Tassel who claimed to have been abducted by aliens who gave him a technique for reversing the aging process. After his alleged encounter, Van Tassel began to build a structure he called “The Integratron” which he said would act as “an electrostatic generator that would supply a broad range of frequencies to recharge the cell structure.” Basically his intention was for the Integratron to create a huge amount of electricity, and that electricity would act as a fountain of youth of sorts, as well as a time machine and anti-gravity devise.