Simple Silhouettes
Known for their Alabama clay-dyed Dirt Shirts, Bessemer-based earth creations has expanded into an international line of stylish, high-end clothing.
By Julie Keith
Joy Maples remembers the moment it all changed. “It was 1996, and I was mountain bike riding and had stained my shirt. Martin, my boyfriend at the time, was amazed at how persistent the stain was and wanted to fi gure out how to make it permanent. I thought he was crazy because all anyone in Alabama wanted to do was to get the stains out of their clothes!”
Fifteen years later, Martin Ledvina, a chemical engineer from the Czech Republic and now Joy’s husband, has long since fi gured out how to make the red clay—and many more natural dyes—permanent. And earth creations, the company borne from Martin’s chemistry expertise and Joy’s business background, has become a full-fl edged clothing design and manufacturing company that sells products worldwide. Their spring line, which includes the Infi nity skirt and new T-shirt designs featured here, is designed by the team in Bessemer and sewn by workers in Moulton. “Having a green company is very important to us,” Joy explains, “and that means using local employees, reusing excess fabric after we cut, as well as natural materials.
Individuals and businesses can feel good about choosing us because our products are local and sustainable.”
earth creations products are available locally at the Blue Bumble Bee in Bessemer, Whole Foods Market in Mountain Brook and Karen’s Hallmark in Vestavia Hills.
