Michigan Business Feature
Read this release on MichiganPR.net
For Immediate Release:
Designer Offers Michigan-Made Garments
that Celebrate Everyday Life
Ivey Abitz is turning the fashion concept upside-down by designing made-
to-order garments for individuals rather than ready-made for the masses.
Ivey Abitz gives customers direct access to the designer and a more
intimate relationship with their garments.
Mackinac Island, Michigan, March 4, 2008: Women and men across the
country are celebrating everyday life by wearing Ivey Abitz, a Michigan-made clothing
label. The Ivey Abitz business concept runs against the grain of the mainstream
fashion industry by producing made-to-order garments in the U.S. and selling directly
to consumers over the internet. It’s making Ivey Abitz an intricate part of wardrobes
in the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Michigan natives Josh and Cynthia Ivey Abitz, husband and wife, launched Ivey Abitz
in 2006. Cynthia designs antique-inspired garments that are reminiscent of another
time and place, yet firmly planted in modernity. Josh is the driving force behind the
inner workings of the company, including its website.
Cynthia Ivey Abitz describes her designs, "The collection is for creative souls that
appreciate fine clothing and have tastes that transcend fashion trends. It's for someone
who knows who they are and wants to dress accordingly. Our clients want quality.”
Innovative Design Competes Well Against Mass Production
Ivey Abitz is giving Michigan seamstresses work they haven’t had for years.
“There is tremendous pressure on fashion designers to have their garments
constructed overseas to increase profit.” Cynthia Ivey Abitz explains. “But there are
tremendously talented stitchers right here in Michigan that were working part-time
jobs because they couldn’t find any sewing work. We sought them out, and now we
have a small army of dedicated seamstresses.”
Customers Connect with the Made-to-Order Concept
Made-to-order means customers mix and match designs with fabrics, choosing from a
seasonal collection at IveyAbitz.com. The current Spring 2008 collection has 77 designs
and 130 fabrics from which to choose. Such customization means many garments end
up being one-of-a-kind.
"It's a creative and exciting process for our clients," Cynthia Ivey Abitz explains. “I can
also personally help clients with fabric and design choices. It's something they
especially appreciate. They’re amazed and pleased to personally know the designer
that has designed their clothing. I'm a real person, a real and accessible artist, and I
want to connect with the real people that appreciate our clothing. It's a rare process - as
rare as the garments themselves. We have clients who are cleaning out their entire
closets and completely switching over to Ivey Abitz.”
Customer Feedback Shows Clients Are Smitten with Ivey Abitz
Eleni Simeone-Oakley of Florida, is an Ivey Abitz devotee who discovered the garment
collection online.
“To me, Ivey Abitz designs characterize what it means to wear art. They allow one to
include art in everyday life. What can be more basic than dressing for your day?” Ms.
Simeone-Oakely continues, “In terms of collecting beautiful handmade designs with
gorgeous fabrics, this certainly has become a hobby for me. I seriously cannot get
enough of Ivey Abitz designs. I love them so much that I won't wear anything else.”
Designed to Outlast the Trends
People donning Ivey Abitz garments get noticed, but it’s due to the rare solid design
and fine fabrics, not the gimmicks often associated with fashion runway shows.
Cynthia applies what she calls “basic fine art concepts”: thought, substance, texture,
asymmetry, balance and juxtaposition. And getting back to basics often hints toward
the artful designs of the past, when good design was associated with good living.
“In remembering the past through antique-inspired designs, we’re reminded that the
world is bigger than ourselves, and we start connecting with the future. And when that
connection is draped on our bodies, flowing over our skin, we start to subconsciously
celebrate the present - we’re celebrating life,” explains co-owner Josh Ivey-Abitz.
Garment Pricing and Details
Ivey Abitz garments fit women US size 2 to 18, men US size 28 to 44. Average made-
to-order delivery time is 4-6 weeks. Rush orders are accepted based on production
schedule and reduce the time to 1-2 weeks. Designs range in price from $40 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 a Michigan-based garment design company launched in 2006. It
features seasonal made-to-order collections exclusively through its website,
IveyAbitz.com. Designer Cynthia Ivey Abitz and her husband Josh Ivey Abitz are co-
owners and reside in Northern Michigan.
