Fashion Feature

Ivey Abitz Offers Vintage Inspired Spring Looks

02/18/09 New York City -- New York based design company Ivey

Abitz debuts its Spring Prelude 2009 Collection this week exclusively

online. Made-to-order garments are designed to last a lifetime using

quality U.S. construction to combine historic design elements with

present-day sensibility.

Collection Debut and Description

The Ivey Abitz Spring Prelude 2009 Collection debuts this week and will

sell for only 6 weeks exclusively online. Customers choose design/fabric

combinations and have their made-to-order garments created specifically

for them.

Designer Cynthia Ivey Abitz describes the collection as "connecting

specific eras and societies through design elements within a garment.

Drawing upon styles ranging from depression era immigrant garments to

european upper class attire from the 1800's, I mentally gathered glimpses

of these time periods and visually combined them with present-day

sensibilities. This collection is meant to blur historic class distinctions and

combine all things I find aesthetically pleasing from various eras and

subcultures."

The Ivey Abitz Aesthetic

The Ivey Abitz aesthetic is meant to transcend trends and be worn for a

lifetime. Ivey Abitz emphasizes quality, creating one garment at a time with the finest

natural fibers available. All garments are sewn with intricate

french seams and small stitch counts to create refined and longer

lasting garments. Collectible antique buttons are handpicked by

designer Cynthia Ivey Abitz to create one-of-a-kind garments.

Designer Cynthia Ivey Abitz describes her garments as "having

historical influences, and I find beauty in garment silhouettes

from one hundred years ago -- even two to three hundred years

ago. There is a gracefulness and elegance I find in these design

movements that is lacking from much of the fashion industry's

trends. I'm inspired to connect with those historic design

elements, make them my own, and adapt them to modern

everyday clothing. I find that combination beautiful and so very

hopeful."

Made in the U.S.A.

Beautiful, handmade garments are changing lives for the better

in varied and meaningful ways. When Ivey Abitz began in 2005,

it sought out professional seamstresses and tailors here in the states and found that

many had lost their jobs to developing countries. Ivey Abitz found some of the most

creative and professional tailors working at a national chain retailer doing menial part-

time tasks just to stay near their families. Ivey Abitz offered them a sewing outlet and

is proud to work with seamstresses in this country that have immense talent and

creativity. In addition to receiving tremendous value for such quality, Ivey Abitz

clients can be proud knowing that their garment purchase provides a meaningful

living for expert seamstresses in the United States.

Where to Buy

Ivey Abitz offers approximately six limited engagement seasonal collections

every year. Garments are sold exclusively online at IveyAbitz.com and

through its by-appointment-only studio in New York City. Made-to-order

clients can expect to receive their custom garments about a month after

ordering. For those with less patience, rush orders can be requested with a

turnaround time of about two weeks. Designs range in price from $60 for

accessories to $1,000 for an elaborate coat, depending upon the intricacies of

the design and fabric selection. The average garment price range is

$250-350. There are no order minimums.

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Ivey Abitz is the creation of artist/designer Cynthia Ivey Abitz and her

husband, Joshua Ivey Abitz, stemming from a desire to find beauty in

everyday existence. In a world saturated with bland mass-produced

cookie-cutter clothing, Ivey Abitz garments honor the tradition of made-to-

order clothing, bringing bespoke designs to every day life.

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