Designer Offers U.S. Made Garments that Celebrate Everyday Life

March 4, 2008 - PRLog -- Women and men across the country are celebrating everyday life by wearing Ivey Abitz, a U.S. 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.

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, http://IveyAbitz.com.

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 http://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.

Ivey Abitz is a Michigan-based garment design company launched in 2006. It features seasonal made-to-order collections exclusively through its website, http://IveyAbitz.com. Designer Cynthia Ivey Abitz and her husband Josh Ivey Abitz are co-owners and reside in Northern Michigan.

# # #

About Ivey Abitz Artists: Ivey Abitz is a Michigan-based garment design company launched in 2006. It features seasonal made-to-order collections exclusively through its website, http://IveyAbitz.com. Designer Cynthia Ivey Abitz and her husband Josh Ivey Abitz are co-owners and reside in Northern Michigan

Website: IveyAbitz.com