Kaye was a tailor for Ivey Abitz from 2009 until her unexpected but peaceful passing in 2020. Her desire for perfection, admiration of good design, and loyalty to Ivey Abitz made her not just a co-worker but a part of the family. We adored her sense of humour, quirkiness, and attention to detail. She was one-of-a-kind, just like the thousands of garments she created for our Ivey Abitz clients.
Initially published in 2017, the following was taken from an interview whilst Kaye was cutting and sewing bespoke orders for Ivey Abitz in her Brooklyn, New York, studio.
“The majority of my time is dedicated to doing couture work for Ivey Abitz. I know the designer and lady behind Ivey Abitz as Cynthia. I call her ‘Lady Cynthia’ because her name means ‘goddess of the moon.’ We have a friendship that has grown out of our work together. It has been nearly a decade since we connected and I began to give birth to her children (sew her designs).
“When I’m done sewing these complicated designs, I’m thrilled. But getting there…it’s so involved. Because they are complicated is why I love them. You have to have a good head on your shoulders to do this kind of detailed work.
“I see stuff – mass-produced clothing – out there in stores that’s sold for exorbitant amounts of money. You look out and there’s a hundred more hanging right next to it. [She shakes her head.] Ivey Abitz garments are as one-of-a-kind as you can get. This is couture! I’m familiar with the first names of the people I’m making garments for. I can tell just by the measurements when they come to me, ‘Oh, I know who this is for!’
“I find it interesting that in this modern age of technology we have come full circle, and some are going back to the appreciation of quality and pride in workmanship. Still, there are so many companies going to foreign countries and exploiting poor people to make mass-produced stuff for a huge brand. That’s just not right.
“Thanks to Ivey Abitz, I feel like there’s a tomorrow. People like Josh and Cynthia are forging a new tomorrow for the United States. I almost got a little verklempt there, a little teary-eyed, just thinking about it.”
Did you like this excerpt? Buy the magazine to get the entire interview.
SaveSave
SaveSave