The Style Issue
If you have curly hair, you know. We are a people bound not just by texture, but by trauma. We’ve survived triangle cuts, pyramid layers, and a variety of shapes better suited to a topiary than the human head.
At my most desperate—postpartum and sleep-deprived—I booked an appointment with a self-proclaimed “curl whisperer” I found online. I am not proud of this. When I arrived, I discovered she was operating out of a hotel room. Not a salon suite. A hotel kitchenette.
Don’t ask me why I didn’t run out of the room screaming when she ushered me to the sink. There is no logical explanation.
Then, with her own infant strapped to her chest and an unsettling amount of enthusiasm, she pulled out a metal tool I can only describe as medieval and reduced my curls to something flat, frizzy, and vaguely architectural. It took over a year for my hair to recover. I may never recover emotionally.
A friend of mine with picture-perfect curls loved her stylist, until one day she casually mentioned she’d just come from the morgue. She had a side gig—styling corpses. The dead, it seems, don’t complain about frizz.
Curly-haired people know the rules: never brush it dry, don’t fight humidity, and be wary of any stylist who says, “I’ll get these curls under control.” (They won’t.)
After enough of these encounters, we realize: maybe our hair isn’t the problem. Maybe it’s everyone who tried to “fix” it.
Eventually, we begin to embrace the unruliness. We stop trying to contain what clearly has a mind of its own. We find that one product that works—finally—and set our curls free to bounce, misbehave, and do exactly what they were born to do. That’s where real style begins: with a don’t-touch-my-hair confidence and a little nerve.
You’ll see that spirit throughout this issue, in expressive brushstrokes, in rooms that speak in color, and in clothes stitched with story. These aren’t just beautiful things. They’re reflections of people who know what they love and aren’t afraid to show it.
Here’s to the horror stories, the comebacks, and discovering a sense of style that refuses to be tamed.
Warmly,
September 2025
PUBLISHER
Kali McNutt | kali.mcnutt@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Blair Moore | blair.moore@citylifestyle.com
INTERN
Emma Lawley | emma.lawley@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kali McNutt, Blair Moore, Avani Patel
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Mary Fehr, CRU Photography, Bailey Hart, Gracie Eddins, Katie D’Arienzo, Rinne Allen
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Lynlee strongly believes in and supports residential growth in Birmingham Since obtaining her license in 2014, Lynlee has completed over 672 transactions totaling over $313 million dollars of real estate sold in the area. “I have made a huge effort to be intimately engaged in the central city and surrounding “city suburbs” from Forest Park to Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia, so that I can provide the greatest benefit to my clients, which I strongly believe is market knowledge”. Her greatest motivation is her clients: She says, “Success to me is doing what I love every day and knowing my contributions positively impact my clients, my company and my city and that I have produced the highest quality of work ”
inside the issue
Style on His Own Terms
Fine artist Madison Faile’s expressive, evolving style refuses to be boxed in
The House Next Door
The story of a modern, meaningful redesign shaped by friendship, family, and a few serendipitous twists The Threads That Connect Us
A
Mary Glenn McElveen shares the looks she
Mary Glenn McElveen wears a favorite from her first collection with Dillard’s.
this top with the skirt was a styling decision I made to show how versatile multiple pieces can be. You can always mix and match pieces from a set with other items in your wardrobe.”
Photography: Bailey Hart
STYLE ON HIS OWN TERMS
Fine artist Madison Faile’s expressive, evolving style refuses to be boxed in
ARTICLE BY BLAIR MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARY FEHR
Madison Faile doesn’t sit around waiting for inspiration to strike. He laughs at the notion of a tortured muse or a dramatic flash of genius. For him, being an artist means working at it every day.
“I’m a debilitating morning person,” he says. “I get up, and I go to the studio.” Some days at his studio—located in Forstall Art Center— are more productive than others, but he’s found that the key is to keep showing up. “That doesn’t always mean I’m tackling a big canvas,” he explains. “That could mean I’m rolling a canvas, varnishing a piece, or priming a canvas—or sometimes I’m just sitting in the studio, staring at the wall.”
On days when a painting falls apart or turns into a mess, he doesn’t waste time agonizing. “That means the next day in the studio, I clean up that mess and start again.”
More often than not, what emerges from that rhythm is something honest, expressive, and unmistakably his.
Ask Madison to describe his artistic style, and he’ll pause. It’s not a simple question for a figurative painter whose work ranges from finely rendered realism to gestural abstraction—and nearly everything in between. What unites his portfolio, he says, is simple: “It all comes from me.”
Madison’s journey began in Selma, Alabama, where he grew up as the only child of a ballet teacher and a district attorney. His earliest influence was his grandmother, an avid portrait painter who first taught him to draw and paint. For a time, he imagined he’d follow directly in her footsteps—and he did, for a while. But it wasn’t long before he discovered his artistic voice refused to be confined to a single genre.
That realization began to crystallize at Troy University, where Madison found both the technical discipline and the creative freedom
to explore. “It was a life-changing experience,” he says. “I will never say a negative thing about the Troy University Art Department. In my opinion, it’s one of the best in the state—and it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.”
Like any good art education, Madison’s time at Troy included a few cautionary tales. One came the day he tried his hand at encaustic painting—a process involving hot wax, pigment, and, in his case, a dangerous misunderstanding. “Nobody told me I couldn’t heat up the turpentine,” he laughs. “I was basically making mustard gas in the art building.” Another time, he nearly set the courtyard ablaze during a raku firing. That was hands-on learning at its most memorable.
Later, a required internship brought him to Stonehenge Gallery in Montgomery, where he met influential painters like Clark Walker. “I started hanging shows for him, and then I started helping him around his house. We became close.” Walker’s mentorship became a turning point. “Being around artists who had lived their entire lives as artists—that was the best education I could’ve asked for.”
Today, Madison keeps several of Walker’s pieces on his walls, along with letters the late artist sent him over the years. “When I was living in New Orleans, I had my first show in 2015, and Clark wrote me a beautiful letter, partially in French, and on the back side, he did a little abstracted drawing of me. I cherish it greatly.”
After college, Madison moved to New Orleans because, as he puts it, “it sounded like a good idea.” He knew two people there. “I’ve got the scar and the tattoo to prove it.” In his early twenties, he drifted the way young artists often do—soaking up life and painting constantly. “I learned a lot, and I painted a lot, and I had some very thrown-together art shows that I look back at with a lot of nostalgia.” He returns to the city a few times a year and rides in the Easter Parade. “New Orleans still holds a part of my soul,” he says. “My parents loved it. They spent their honeymoon there, and my dad and I would go multiple times a year.”
Then, unexpected circumstances brought Madison back to Montgomery. He lost both parents in the span of a year. “Being an only child, life brought me back home,” he says. In the midst of grief, a friend stepped in. “A dear, dear friend of mine, who has become family, asked me to come work for her at her newly opened interior design shop, which I did.” That friend was Emelyn Sullivan, owner of Peridot Home. “She picked me up from the lowest point in my life,” he says. “She’s become like a mother to me.”
A few years ago, Madison decided it was time for a change. “I just felt like it was time to move on and move to Birmingham,” he says. “I found everybody at Forstall Art, and we hit it off. I found the studio even before I found my house.” Founded in 1976, Forstall Art Center remains a family-run business, led by Phillip and Annette Forstall, with their daughter, Andy, now involved. “Forstall is an invaluable resource to our community—not just for working artists, but for the city as a whole,” Madison says. “It’s one of the only places where you can buy professional supplies, take a class, and connect with the creative community all in the same space."
In addition to painting full-time, he now teaches weekly classes and workshops at Forstall Art Center, helping students explore both realism and abstraction with the same openness that guides his own practice. He lives nearby, in the heart of downtown, where the walls of his home are covered in a collage of meaningful work—his own, and that of regional artists he admires. “I absolutely love it here,” he says. “I’m extremely content. I have everything I need, and I have no plans to move.”
Step into Madison’s studio, and the outside world quickly fades. Some days are filled with music—Rachmaninoff one moment, 90s
“If you paint for galleries and clients, that’s good —and that makes you money, and that pays the rent, and that’s wonderful. But at the end of the day, you have to paint for yourself. Nothing leaves the studio that I wouldn’t hang in my own home.”
country the next. “You never know what you’re going to get,” he says. “I have a studio playlist that I put on, but sometimes I’ll get in there and start working, and three hours will go by that I’ve been working in total silence without realizing it.”
His process is just as intuitive. He might reach for a palette knife, a house-painting brush, or use his fingers. “When it comes to materials, it’s whatever gets the job done,” he says. “I have very fine, expensive brushes that I’ve abused horribly, and I’ve got cheap house painting brushes I’ve had for ten years.”
The color palette stays remarkably steady, whether he’s painting a portrait or a loose abstraction. “I started off as a portrait painter,” he says. “And even now in the abstractions, it’s flesh tones. I use the same palette of color when I do a realistic painting as I do when I do an abstraction.”
Ask Madison why he doesn’t stick to one style, and he doesn’t hesitate. “You have to paint for yourself first,” he says. “If you paint for galleries and clients, that’s good—and that makes you money, and that pays the rent, and that’s wonderful. But at the end of the day, you have to paint for yourself. Nothing leaves the studio that I wouldn’t hang in my own home.”
Not everyone embraces his stylistic range, and he’s okay with that. “A designer once told me, ‘You need to find yourself because you don’t have a voice,’” he says. “That stuck with me—and emboldened me to paint even more drastically different styles. Because the voice, the thread between the abstraction and the realism and everything in between, is me.”
He knows some viewers, too, expect neat consistency—especially online. “Some people like to scroll through someone’s Instagram and see the same thing over and over and over again,” he says. “But if I had to paint the same squiggle every day, I’d lose my mind.”
Instead, he follows what feels true. Some days, that’s a finely rendered figure. Other days, it’s motion and texture and a blur of color. “I very rigorously learned how to draw and paint realistically,” he says. “And I feel that with that, I’m allowed to paint abstractly. I do believe that if you have that training to paint realistically, you are automatically a better abstract painter.”
“What I’m trying to do is to bridge the gap between the two,” he says. “And I feel like I’m close.”
Follow Madison’s work on Instagram: @madison.faile and studio updates @forstallart
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ARTICLE BY BLAIR MOORE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRU PHOTOGRAPHY
THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR
The story of a modern, meaningful redesign shaped by friendship, family, and a few serendipitous twists
Art by Atlanta-based artist Neil Marshall, sourced from Direct Furniture / Modern Home.
When Cameron and Whitt Steineker moved from New York to Birmingham as newlyweds, they bought a house just off Cherokee Road—with not much furniture of their own, but plenty of hope. Over the next eleven years, they raised two children, grew deep roots, and built a life that made it hard to imagine leaving.
Their home sat right beside the one belonging to Ms. Joyce Helzberg, a gracious woman in her early nineties, and her daughter Emily. One afternoon a few years ago, Ms. Helzberg called with a neighborly offer: “We’ve got some extra chicken fingers—would your family like them?” A meaningful friendship began, with Cameron walking through the back gate to check in, share garden tomatoes, and sit for visits. “She’d tell me stories about the house, which she and her husband built in 1969, and how much thought and care went into every detail,” Cameron says. “Everything had meaning.”
Ms. Helzberg often sat by the window, watching Cameron’s son Harrison shoot baskets in the driveway. “She loved the kids,” Cameron says. “It was a really sweet situation.”
When Ms. Helzberg passed away, her daughter hoped to find a buyer who would appreciate not only the house, but the life it had held. She needed
to look no further than the Steinekers. “The decision to move seemed so right,” Cameron explains.
They moved one door over, carrying plenty of memories with them. “We have cardinals everywhere. They make me feel like Ms. Helzberg is still here, and that’s a happy feeling.”
When it came time to make the home their own, Cameron was surprised by her bold style choices. “When we first moved in, I didn’t really know what my style was. I thought it was going to be more neutral,” Cameron says. “I thought we would paint everything white and go with a really clean look… but it slowly became something I never expected—and now, I absolutely love it.”
The new vision began to unfold when Cameron enlisted the husband-and-wife team behind Dopamine Design Co., who had
helped her and her father redecorate their family beach house a few years earlier. Lindsey and Eddie Harrington captured her dad’s eclectic modern taste so well that working with them again felt like the right next step. “They knew my dad, and they got his taste and style,” she says. “It’s made it special to bring some of that into this house, even though he’s no longer with us.”
The 16-month process of redesigning the main floor could have been daunting, but Lindsey and Eddie made it a joy. “They are so great to work with. They both amaze me,” Cameron says. “They’re so good about showing me a few great options and explaining why something works, without it ever feeling overwhelming.”
Lindsey and Eddie both attended the University of Alabama, but their paths didn’t cross until later. She grew up in the South,
“Birthday Cake” by Glidden, accented with watercolor ballerinas commissioned from Birmingham fine artist Mitchell Walters (@mitchellfineart).
“They were committed to honoring the charm that already existed. Even the old record player and speaker system are still there—cleverly hidden behind glossy new cabinetry.
The whole project feels like a love letter to its past life.”
and he was from New York. Eventually, they met in Birmingham and bonded over Alabama football long before interior design became a part of the picture. She’s a speech pathologist by training with a lifelong creative streak; he’s an attorney who also worked in real estate and later as a designer at West Elm. “Design kind of found us,” Lindsey says. What started as side projects for friends turned into full-scale renovations for clients who connected with their thoughtful, layered style. “We take on select projects that feel like the right fit.”
They say working with Cameron was natural from the start. “She’s open and trusting in the best way,” Lindsey says. “She wanted to be pushed a little and liked being surprised by what she loved. That’s when the magic really happens.”
From the outset, Cameron and Whitt were determined to preserve the home. It had far too much soul to be torn down. “Ms. Helzberg loved to entertain,” Lindsey says. “We honored that spirit throughout—with layered textures, bold art, open nooks for gathering, and the thoughtful preservation of original features.”
The transformation began in the living room, which had good bones but felt flat. Painted white and missing a mantel, it lacked warmth and dimension. Lindsey and Eddie brought in a moody blue-gray that gave the room structure and presence, then added a fireplace that made it feel anchored and finished. The decision to paint both the walls and the ceiling made all the difference. “It made the room come together and feel a lot cozier,” Eddie says.
“The blue walls and the glossy ceiling felt like big risks,” Cameron shares. “But now, when the lamps are on and we’re sitting in there in the evening together, it’s perfect.”
Down the hall, the dining room makes a glamorous statement. They originally tried to design around some family pieces, but as Lindsey puts it, “sometimes the square peg just doesn’t fit.” So, they shifted course. What came together is a room with bold black-and-white wallpaper that’s equal parts drama and elegance, a marble console that mirrors its pattern without competing, and a purple carpet—found unexpectedly at United Textiles—that ties it all together. “It was one of those finds where you see it, and you just know,” Lindsey says.
The powder room became a little moment of magic. Covered floor-to-ceiling in marbleized Beata Heuman wallpaper, it feels like stepping into a piece of art. “It was kind of a design crush situation,” Lindsey laughs. “It turned out so inviting that we joke we should put a bed in there.”
There are elements throughout the house that make Cameron smile every time she looks at them, such as the gallery wall tucked just off the kitchen, which features a mix of contemporary pieces and framed artwork by her kids. Each child’s bedroom captures their personality. Pearson, age nine, is a dancer, just like her mom once was, and a wall of dancers by Cameron’s friend, Mitchell Walters, hangs above her bed. Another striking black and white ballerina by Walters brings a touch of grace to the dining room. “It’s one of my favorite pieces in the house,” Cameron says. “I think I need another one.”
The primary bedroom is a retreat, soft and serene. “It’s sort of a palette cleanser for the rest of the house,” Lindsey says. “It’s calm—a place for rest and relaxation.” A velvet bed and a subtly patterned rug from CB2 anchored the space early on, adding just enough movement without overwhelming the room. It’s the kind of room that lets you exhale.
Though the main floor is complete, the home’s style is still unfolding. The basement and exterior redesigns are next, with plenty of surprises still to come. “We’re figuring it out as we go,” Cameron says. “But with Lindsey and Eddie, it always turns out being something even better than I imagined.”
“They were committed to honoring the charm that already existed,” Lindsey explains. “Even the old record player and speaker system are still there—cleverly hidden behind glossy new cabinetry. The whole project feels like a love letter to its past life.”
Now, a young couple lives in the Steinekers’ old house next door. And when their baby girl toddles through the gate that once led Cameron to Ms. Helzberg’s kitchen, it feels like the beginning of something beautiful all over again.
Design by Dopamine Design Co. | @dopamine_design_co | DOPAMINEDESIGN.CO
A framed vintage photograph of the Givenchy atelier in Paris (originally published in Glamour magazine in 1964, photo by Russell Knight) adds a timeless note to this serene master bedroom nook.
“Black and White Cumulus” wallpaper by Nashville artist Angela Simeone makes a bold statement.
DESIGNERS’ NOTEBOOK
Lindsey and Eddie Harrington of Dopamine Design Co. share their go-to local resources for adding personality, polish, and a little dopamine hit to any space.
FURNISHINGS & DECOR:
Stash – Home goods, furniture, and accessories with style and patina.
Urban Suburban – A favorite for eclectic, mid-century finds. ALKMY – Trendy, well-edited pieces for entertaining.
TEXTILES & ART:
United Textiles – Budget-friendly fabrics and rugs.
Mitchell Fine Art – A trusted local source for original art.
Rebecca Jack – Atlanta-based artist, with work available at ALKMY.
Nilipour Oriental Rugs – Exceptional rugs and a joy to work with.
GREENERY & STONE:
Shoppe Birmingham + Leaf & Petal – For houseplants, planters, and greenery with style.
Triton Stone Group – Reliable and stylish countertop sourcing.
TRUSTED PROS
Scott Melown – The go-to for wallpaper.
Silverio Jimenez / Jimenez Electric – Trusted electrical work. Antonio with AP Remodeling LLC – Finish work and remodeling.
The living room’s richness starts with “Eclipse” by Benjamin Moore.
Art by Fern Cassidy, sourced locally at SOHO Retro.
ARTICLE BY AVANI PATEL
Curate Your Signature Look with Avani Rupa
Fine Jewelers
FIVE MUST-HAVE CATEGORIES TO BUILD A PERSONAL JEWELRY WARDROBE WITH INTENTION AND FLAIR
The Layered Necklace Edit
Layering adds instant polish. Mix gold tones, a floating diamond station, a centered pendant, and something playful like a charm or gemstone to create depth, interest, and everyday elegance.
The Diamond Essentials
Foundational pieces like diamond studs, a solitaire pendant, hoops, and a tennis bracelet pair with everything. These staples anchor your collection and offer endless versatility across occasions.
Avani Patel
The Stackable Band Story
Start with a classic base and build with texture, pattern, and color. Stackable rings are a playful way to express style, whether worn solo, with an engagement ring, or across fingers.
The Bracelet Stack, Refined
Bracelets bring movement and personality. Combine oval bangles, flexible bracelets, and tennis styles in different golds and stone cuts to create a stack that feels balanced, bold, and uniquely yours.
The Statement, Defined
Statement jewelry is about presence. Designed with handpicked gems and bold silhouettes, these distinctive pieces elevate any look and reflect your most expressive, confident self.
SLEEP MATTERS
More than you know…
TheBirminghamDoctorHelpingFamiliesSleepAgain
If you’re a parent running on caffeine and crossed fingers at bedtime, you’re not alone—and you’re not failing.
Enter Dr. Mary Halsey Maddox, a board-certified pediatric sleep doctor in Birmingham, founder of Sleep Dreams, a virtual sleep medicine practice helping families get the sleep they need. After over a decade in academic medicine, Dr. Maddox saw how little practical, sciencebased sleep help families receive AND how long it took to get an appointment with a sleep doctor. Imagining a novel approach to sleep help, she opened Sleep Dreams in fall of 2024 to offer expert, customized support for families in Alabama from birth to 25 years, as well as classes on demand, available anywhere.
“Sleepisteachable,”shesays.“Familiesjustneedaccesstoexperts.”
What makes Sleep Dreams different? It’s physician-led, virtual, and judgment-free, plus it’s affordable and focuses on sleep skills for life. Dr. Maddox works with families on everything from infant night wakings to sleepwalking and night terrors to teen insomnia.
She also writes a free monthly newsletter filled with real-life sleep tips, because sleep impacts everything—mood, learning, health, and more.
Better sleep is possible. It’s not just a dream. Learn more or subscribe at sleepdreamscoaching.com
sleepdreamscoaching.com
Front Row: Leslie Wyatt, Morgan Gearhart, Penny Calvert-Ward, Lynda Lewis Back Row: Kenny Burns, Paul Mitchell, Collins Compere, Ken Alderman, Ken Griffin
ARTICLE BY BLAIR MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
A celebration of slow fashion, shared values, and Southern roots that shape a global conversation
The Threads That
Connect Us All
Born of needle and thread in Florence, Alabama, luxury label Alabama Chanin has become a global voice in slow fashion, handcraft, and sustainable design. Its influence may be far-reaching, but its identity is unwaveringly Southern. This fall, the brand’s local presence will grow more personal, with a new office opening above basic., the downtown boutique that first brought Alabama Chanin to Magic City shoppers. That new office will be shared with Director Jessica Turner, who began on the patternmaking and design floor of Vera Wang and left New York to return to the South. Based in Birmingham, she frequently commutes to the company’s original studio in Florence and travels to fashion capitals like Paris. From her new space
Natalie Chanin, photographed by Katie D’Arienzo
above the shop, she’ll oversee the brand’s culture and storytelling—and, on occasion, welcome clients for one-on-one consultations, offering a unique opportunity to connect to the world of Alabama Chanin.
Each collection blends structure and softness in a way that feels both grounded and refined. Made from 100% organic cotton jersey, each piece is hand-cut and stitched in Florence using techniques like appliqué, reverse quilting, and embroidery. The silhouettes are timeless—lean dresses, sculptural coats, tunics with unexpected details—designed to layer, last, and live beautifully.
The connection between Alabama Chanin and basic. began when boutique founder Lacey Woodroof discovered the brand through a fashion podcast and felt an immediate pull.
“When I started learning about the human and environmental costs of much of the garment industry more than a decade ago, I happened upon a podcast episode out of Australia whose special guest was a designer and maker in Florence, Alabama named Natalie Chanin,” she says. “That interview was all I needed to hear. I’m still incredibly proud that Alabama Chanin calls the heart of the South home.”
Their partnership runs deeper than style. It’s built on a shared vision for what fashion can be and how it should exist in the world.
“There’s a natural crossover in our client bases because of the shared ethos behind both brands,” says Lacey. “As companies, Alabama Chanin and basic. both value people, planet, and craft above all else. It’s more difficult to do business in a way that honors work and workers, but it matters. And it’s rewarding to build community alongside other folks—especially as talented as they are—moving in a similar way.”
That same intention has guided Alabama Chanin since founder Natalie Chanin stitched the brand’s first garment more than two decades ago.
“From the beginning, the work has been about more than garments,” Natalie says. “It’s been about preserving culture through making, the dignity of handwork, and the possibility that a small community in northwest Alabama could shape a broader conversation.”
That conversation reached a new milestone last year, when Alabama Chanin transitioned into a nonprofit organization.
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Photo by Rinne Allen
Photo by Katie D'Arienzo
“BIRMINGHAM HOLDS A VITAL ROLE IN OUR STATE’S CREATIVE AND CULTURAL ECONOMY—IT’S A CITY OF HISTORY, RESILIENCE, REINVENTION. HAVING A PRESENCE HERE ALLOWS US TO STAY ROOTED IN OUR VALUES WHILE EXPANDING OUR VISION.”
Photo by Katie D'Arienzo
“Becoming a nonprofit was a natural evolution,” Natalie explains. “It reflects what we’ve always believed: that the act of making is deeply connected to education, sustainability, and the stories that bind us.”
Jessica echoes the importance of that shift.
“It has given us the opportunity to redefine the work we’ve been doing for decades—to frame it not just as a business, but as a mission with lasting social and cultural value,” she says. “To reach our future goals, we needed more than structure—we needed shared ownership in the vision. This shift has allowed us to invest more deeply in education, preservation, and the long-term good of our community and craft.”
One of the most visible expressions of that mission is Project Threadways, the brand’s archival and research initiative exploring the history of textiles and the lives of those who made them. It’s part of a broader commitment to honoring process.
“The work is slow—and that’s by design,” Natalie says. “In a world focused on speed and scale, we often overlook the beauty and discipline of process. Every garment carries the memory of the hands that made it. The care we take is intentional. It’s not just about what’s made—it’s about how, and why.”
Jessica sees this next chapter as an opportunity to bring that process and its purpose even more fully into view.
“So much of what happens in the fashion industry is invisible,” she says. “We want to change that—to invite people into the process, to show how things are made, and to celebrate the hands behind the work. Our next chapter is about creating spaces that reflect our values, where people can learn, witness, and take part in something lasting.”
She adds, “We’ve always believed that fashion could be a vehicle for something more—something rooted in story, in place, and in the hands that make it. Today, that vision feels more clear and connected.
Photo by Katie D'Arienzo
There’s real momentum, not only around what we create, but how we create it—with thoughtfulness, collaboration, slowness, and intention. That depth of purpose is what continues to energize the work.”
While Florence is home, “Alabama is our canvas,” Natalie explains, and Birmingham’s role in this story continues to grow.
“Birmingham holds a vital role in our state’s creative and cultural economy. It’s a city of history, resilience, reinvention,” she says. “Having a presence here allows us to stay rooted in our values while expanding our vision. It gives us the chance to collaborate in new ways, to meet people where they are, and to be part of a larger conversation about the future of craft, fashion, and community-building.”
That invitation is open to all.
“You don’t need to be a designer or artisan to be part of this story,” Natalie says. “Whether you’re cooking, planting a garden, repairing a piece of clothing, or investing in community resilience— you’re engaging in cultural preservation. We hope to be part of that ongoing dialogue. At its best, our work isn’t just about craft. It’s about connection.”
Alabama Chanin’s garments—and the stories stitched into them—are crafted to last.
A L I F E ,
STYLED
MARY GLENN MCELVEEN SHARES THE LOOKS SHE LOVES—AND THE TIMELESS STYLE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THEM
Named after my mom, the Jenny Dress is from my first Dillard’s collection. Shot in Alys Beach, this image captures the movement of the dress so well.
Photo by Bailey Hart
When it comes to style that feels both effortless and intentional, Mary Glenn McElveen has mastered the balance. As the founder of Styled by MG, the Birmingham-based tastemaker spends her days curating wardrobes, editing closets, and uncovering the kind of fashion finds that make clients feel transformed. Since launching her business in 2020, she’s cultivated a loyal online following—141,000 and counting—landed collaborations with brands like Saks and Dillard’s, and become her own best canvas. But what makes the cut in her personal hall of fame? We asked McElveen to reveal her all-time favorite looks—and the style wisdom behind them.
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The detailing of this top from my second collection with Dillard’s makes it a forever favorite in my closet.
Photo by Bailey Hart
THE MG STYLE FILE
What basics do you recommend all your clients purchase? Denim that fits well and is comfortable, a crisp button-down top, a few basic T-shirts for styling, a high-quality belt, and a blazer.
Perfect outfit formula? I usually gravitate towards a pair of trousers with a great fitted t-shirt and flats.
Never leave home without sunglasses and lip color!
When in doubt add a belt!
Most prized style possession … my Chanel ballet flat collection. They are my go-to shoes for all seasons.
Fave Birmingham shopping destination... Le Weekend
Trend that needs to die .all trends eventually die, and honestly, it’s such a personal preference depending on your style. However, a current trend that I have tested and believe needs to fade away is the schoolgirl/polo trend. It’s just not for me.
2026 style predictions boho influences, shades of teal, asymmetric lines, oversized tailoring
Follow Mary Glenn on Instagram @m.g._style and learn more at styledbymg.com
This dress was a hero piece in my first collection with Dillard’s, and it will always be a favorite. From the fit to the ombre fabric, so much love and attention were poured into designing this piece.
Photo by Bailey Hart
A fabulous dress I was able to shoot while in Mexico. I pulled from the cream base for the shoes and the maroon hues for the bag. Photo by Bailey Hart
One of my favorite looks from out west! Styling with western-inspired accessories was fun, and the belt really elevated the whole look.
I
I loved shooting this dress for a partnership I had with Saks Fifth Avenue. The silhouette was incredibly flattering, and the detailing added great dimension.
This dress made me feel so feminine and graceful. The balance of the print with the subtle ruffle detailing was so beautiful.
Bahama blues in this look! I wore this dress on our first family vacation with Harlan, and it was perfect for the island. It could also be styled to be dressier for an event!
This look is a favorite because I had a dress that was only available in a larger size reworked to create this two-piece set. Getting creative with something you find and love can be so inspiring!
This is a great example of transitional styling, but keeping it practical for the weather. I’m a neutral lover, and the different shades of brown blended together nicely to pull this look together.
Photo by Gracie Eddins
Photo by Gracie Eddins
This H&M dress will always be a top look for me because I wore it to announce my pregnancy.
Photo by Bailey Hart
loved this look for my first Fashion Week in NYC. Keeping it simple with a statement belt is something I always love doing when styling myself.
At Children’s of Alabama, kids are the center of our world and our mission is to provide the very best care available to every child. It’s why we are here.
Dr. Joseph Wu, M.D. Founder & Lead Physician
Uncomplicated Healthcare
SEPTEMBER 2025
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 18TH-21ST
Carole Cook Died for My Sins
Virginia Samford Theatre
Actor Mason McCulley delivers a heartfelt tribute to two pivotal women in his life: his late mother and the legendary actress Carole Cook, a protégé of Lucille Ball. Directed by Montevallo alumni Cameron Watson.
SEPTEMBER 19TH-28TH
Southbound Food Festival
Sloss Furnaces, Pepper Place, and Around Birmingham
Birmingham’s signature culinary celebration returns September 19–28 with Southbound Food Festival. Spanning two weekends, the reimagined event showcases 100 chefs through open-fire tastings, intimate dinners, brunches, demos, and live music. Anchored at Pepper Place and Sloss Furnaces, Southbound spotlights Birmingham’s bold, creative spirit—and the flavors that make it unforgettable.
OCTOBER 2ND-5TH
Antiques at the Gardens
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Set among the blooms of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Antiques at the Gardens is a celebration of design, beauty, and timeless style. This year’s four-day event brings together acclaimed dealers, tastemakers, and design enthusiasts for curated talks, one-of-a-kind finds, and the garden’s most stylish weekend of the year.
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Wise Counsel
By Your Side
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CONTINUED
OCTOBER 19TH
Champagne & Fried Chicken
Pepper Place | 4:00 PM
Birmingham Les Dames d’Escoffier’s beloved fall fundraiser returns with your choice of drive-through ease or a festive evening party. Enjoy a gourmet picnic for two, live music, and Dames-crafted cocktails—all in support of culinary scholarships for Alabama women
OCTOBER 21ST-25TH
Celebrate Diwali with Avani Rupa Fine Jewelers
Avani Rupa
Avani Rupa Fine Jewelers invites guests to their annual Diwali Celebration—their only sale of the year. Held at the Mountain Brook showroom, this festive event offers a rare opportunity to shop their signature fine jewelry collections while enjoying the warmth and sparkle of the season.
OCTOBER 23RD
Friends
of
CASA Luncheon
Birmingham Botanical Gardens | 11:30 AM
Join Friends of CASA for a lovely luncheon at Birmingham Botanical Gardens in support of CASA’s mission to advocate for children who need a voice. Enjoy a beautiful setting, meaningful conversation, and the chance to help make a difference in the lives of vulnerable youth across our community. Learn more at casaofjeffersoncounty.org.
