West Elm & Steven Alan tie up for handcrafted home range

The first collaboration of its kind for both the fashion designer and the home furnishings brand, Steven Alan Stripes includes bedding, vases, rugs and furniture for every room.

West Elm introduced Steven Alan to artisans in India, Nicaragua and Haiti, where he developed products that speak to each country’s cultural heritage. West Elm will launch Steven Alan Stripes online at westelm.com and in stores in January 2014.

“For this collaboration, we engaged with artisan groups around the world who utilized traditional craft techniques to create unique pieces for the home. Each piece is true to Steven Alan’s signature style,” said West Elm president Jim Brett. “Our brand and our customers have an appreciation for handcrafted items in home décor. Collaborating with Steven, who shares this commitment in the fashion world, allows us to bring a fresh and exciting point of view to our spring assortment.”

“Our shared commitment to developing handcrafted products made this a natural collaboration opportunity,” said Steven Alan. “West Elm introduced me to potters in Nicaragua, weavers in India and papier-mâché experts in Haiti. These artisans were able to utilize their expertise to handcraft each of my original designs. The result is a collection that celebrates centuries-old craft for today’s home.”

The Steven Alan Stripes for West Elm collection includes:

Steven Alan Stripe Bedding: Inspired by classic shirt stripes, Steven Alan designed this handcrafted bedding in collaboration with Eco Tasar, a cooperative that supports rural Indian spinners and weavers. Striped Duvet Colors: Deep coral, golden gate or midnight. Quilt Colors: Pewter or India Ink.

Steven Alan Stripe Vases: Each piece is made from locally mined clay thrown on a foot-powered wheel and fired in a traditional outdoor pit. The vases are handcrafted by Nicaraguan potters from Chaka MarketBridge, a fair trade market for local artisans. Colors: Navy, Red/Orange, or Yellow.

Steven Alan Stripe Rugs: Handwoven by Indian artisans, these rugs are dyed using a traditional gabbeh technique, characterized by variegated color for an ombre effect. Colors: Midnight, Ivory, or Platinum/Gold.

Steven Alan Stripe Side Tables: Handcrafted in Haiti, these unique tables are made entirely of papier-mâché as part of an existing collaboration with Caribbean Craft. Founded by husband and wife, Joel and Magalie Dresse, this artisan collective is dedicated to creating jobs for the people of Haiti.

About West Elm

Mixing clean lines, natural materials and handcrafted collections from the United States and around the world, West Elm creates unique, affordable designs for modern living. Headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, the brand introduced its first catalog in 2002 and opened the doors of its first retail location in 2003.

West Elm