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Designer Notes

100th Anniversary of Shirtwaist Factory Fire

This week marked the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York City. On March 25, 1911, a fire swept through a sweatshop and killed 146 garment workers. They either burned to death or jumped from the flames to their deaths. Most of the workers were young girls between the ages of 14 to 23.

The workers could not escape the building because the managers had locked the doors to the stairwells and exits. This was to ensure that workers stayed on the job and did not steal anything at the end of the work day. The fire led to demanding improved work safety standards for garment workers. It also made New York state one of the most progressive states in terms of labor reform.

This 100 year anniversary is a profound reminder of how special our relationship is with our seamstresses at Ivey Abitz. Our “Made in USA” label is more than a label to us. It is a promise to honor the laborers of history that struggled to set our nation apart from the rest of the world.

Without our beloved seamstresses, we could not do what we do. Our mutual respect and admiration for them is reflected in each and every garment that we create. We look forward to introducing you to them along the way. (They may be a bit camera shy, but we think some portraits of them at work is in order so you can meet them.)

With deep respect and admiration for those who lost their lives 100 years ago…

 

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Hairy Inspiration

Artie the four-legged son of Ivey Abitz
Arthur Ernest Frederick Ivey Abitz, aka Artie

For those of you who have not met the new love of our lives, I’d like to introduce you to our new four-legged son, Arthur Ernest Frederick Ivey Abitz, also known as Artie. He was a rescue from a puppy mill, and Josh and I adopted him into our family last year. His harmonious blend of grey, brown, and black hair is nature’s reminder of how these hues gracefully blend and play off of one another. He is a glimpse of perfection to me in this imperfect world.

The inspiration for Collection One – 2011’s palette came from this beloved face that is part of my everyday life. May the new collection give you a glimpse of perfection that brings a smile to your face, just like Artie does for me every day.