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Carolyn Hennesy from California

Emmy Winning Actor Carolyn Hennesy Loves her Ivey Abitz Bespoke

Emmy winning actor Carolyn Hennesy showcased her new Ivey Abitz bespoke ensemble along with tin type jewelry handmade by Carolyn herself during an appearance for Hallmark Channel’s “Home and Family.” Show aired 7/7/17.

Carolyn’s Ivey Abitz bespoke ensemble includes the Dennison Frock in Birdsong Embroidered Silk with a pair of Blanchefleur Trousers in Meadow Yarn Dyed Cotton from the recent Spring 2017 Collection.

Mark Steines and Debbie Matenopoulos welcome actors Debbie Allen, Erica Gimpel, Lee Curreri, and Carlo Imperato for the 35th anniversary of NBC’s “FAME.” Erica and Lee treat us to a special performance. Actress and author Carolyn Hennesy joins us. Cookbook author Nguyen Tran cooks delicious garlic noodles. Debbie whips up the ultimate BLT sandwich. Ken Wingard has DIY water blobs. Paige Hemmis creates city lights decor. Orly Shani shows us DIY open hem jeans. Matt Iseman has tips and tricks for our lawn and garden. Dan Kohler breaks down the science of mold and food. Matt Rogers is here with cool camping products. Credit: © 2017 Crown Media United States, LLC | Photo: Alexx Henry Studios, LLC / jeremy lee
Mark Steines and Debbie Matenopoulos welcome actors Debbie Allen, Erica Gimpel, Lee Curreri, and Carlo Imperato for the 35th anniversary of NBC’s “FAME.” Erica and Lee treat us to a special performance. Actress and author Carolyn Hennesy joins us. Cookbook author Nguyen Tran cooks delicious garlic noodles. Debbie whips up the ultimate BLT sandwich. Ken Wingard has DIY water blobs. Paige Hemmis creates city lights decor. Orly Shani shows us DIY open hem jeans. Matt Iseman has tips and tricks for our lawn and garden. Dan Kohler breaks down the science of mold and food. Matt Rogers is here with cool camping products. Credit: © 2017 Crown Media United States, LLC | Photo: Alexx Henry Studios, LLC / jeremy lee
Carolyn-Hennesy-Wears-Ivey-Abitz
Carolyn Hennesy Wears Ivey Abitz in her appearance on the Hallmark Channel’s program Home and Family July 7, 2017. Photo courtesy Carolyn Hennesy.

In this clip of the Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family, Carolyn appears with the cast of Fame – Debbie Allen, Erica Gimpel, Lee Curreri and Carlo Imperato – and cookbook author Nguyen Tran (he made some killer noodles on the program).

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Media and Press Shopping

New Ivey Abitz Website

New IveyAbitz.com
Ivey Abitz redesigned its website to coincide with the launch of the 2017 Spring collection

Ivey Abitz has launched a new website to showcase and sell bespoke clothing designs and accessories.

The new IveyAbitz.com is designed for responsiveness across multiple devices. Now visitors can view look books and shop on a smartphone as well as a desktop computer.

The website launch coincides with the debut of the Spring 2017 Collection. The collection includes over 140 designs and 52 fabrics. Clients select fabric from the spring palette for each design they order. Ivey Abitz then creates the design as ordered.

The new website enhances the bespoke aspect of the Ivey Abitz experience by adding several shopping features previously unavailable to Ivey Abitz customers.

One new feature is called “Shop by Look.” Clients can purchase directly from ensembles featured in the look book. They can order all of the designs featured in an ensemble, or just one. They can even select alternative fabrics. This method is indicative of the bespoke nature of the Ivey Abitz experience.

Another new feature is called “Shop by Fabric.” Clients view the current season’s fabric chart, select a fabric they like, and see a list of designs available in that fabric. This feature is also available on design category pages, where customers can choose to “Filter by Fabric.”

Shop Ivey Abitz by Fabric
Now you can shop Ivey Abitz by selecting a fabric and choosing from a list of designs offered in it.

Ivey Abitz started selling bespoke designs in 2006. It is a small company run only by the designer, Cynthia Ivey Abitz, and her husband, Josh Ivey Abitz. Over the years Ivey Abitz has resisted the temptation of selling wholesale to stores and has sold exclusively through their own website, IveyAbitz.com. The couple prefer to have a relationship with the people who wear the clothing. The newly designed website represents the company’s commitment to creating beautiful garments well into the future.

Visit the new IveyAbitz.com here.

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Designer Notes

Beacon of Hope

 

An important part of our mission at Ivey Abitz is to celebrate individuality. But this week we also experienced solidarity. We received an extra outpouring of gratitude from clients finding solace in their Ivey Abitz clothing. We’re so grateful to our beloved clients across the country – and the world – for sharing your hopes and fears with us. You continue to show grace and love through your words, and you exemplify how we can find hope in our everyday lives.

What clients are saying this week…

“Thank you for putting beauty out into the world. We need it now, more than ever before.”

“I’ve worn my favourite Ivey Abitz outfits all week. It is helping me through this difficult time.”

“The clothing you make for me is a beacon of hope.”

“We must surround ourselves with beauty and goodness. Thank you for being a refuge for me.”

“My new fall clothing arrived this week, just when I needed it most. It helps empower me to get out into the world and continue working hard to make this world a better place.”

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Media and Press

Philosophy of Clothing Design in the Ivey Abitz Limited Edition 2016 Collection

Bespoke Clothier Ivey Abitz Designs Philosophy into Dresses and Frocks in Latest Collection

Look No. 1 from the Limited Edition Collection, 2016.
Look No. 1 from the Limited Edition Collection, 2016.

Clothing designer Ivey Abitz has introduced her 2016 Limited Edition Collection titled “Endless Bloom.” The title’s eternal implication makes this seem like an unlikely name for a short lived Limited Edition Collection. But the designer invokes the juxtaposition with purpose.

The latest Ivey Abitz collection title refers to the inspiring bloom of the hydrangea, a favourite of the designer that lasts all through summer and well into autumn.

The designer expands on the concept in her artist statement:

“Endless Bloom refers to our collective being. Despite our temporal humanness, we have something inside all of us that is in endless bloom. Our garment designs seek to embody a glimpse of this eternal flourishing and blooming.”

This begs the question: how does a clothing designer get a glimpse of the eternal – something many of us just ponder?

Quite simply, it is the artist’s connection to the inspiration of Beauty. Some call it religion, others call it self-knowledge. Ivey Abitz calls it “a connection to our Creator that manifests itself when design elements come together to satisfy the desire for Beauty.”

The Ivey Abitz Limited Edition look book is available at the designer’s website IveyAbitz.com. Garments are made as they are ordered after clients choose from over 100 designs and a palette of seasonable fabrics.

In its more than ten years of business, Ivey Abitz has established a reputation for high quality garment construction which is all done in the USA.

Ivey Abitz says that a successful combination of form and function in clothing brings an internal peace that is expressed outwardly on the body.

Ivey Abitz believes that when we can experience peace here on Earth, we gain perspective, and we can see beyond the pain and sorrow of this world into the hope of Eternity.

This collection is a microcosm of the larger Ivey Abitz philosophy, as described by the designer, Cynthia Ivey Abitz:

“Ivey Abitz designs serve our temporal selves, embracing us with substance whilst representing the mysterious – yet intuitively Beautiful – space beyond time.”

Through that search for substance beyond time, Ivey Abitz hopes to help wearers discover their “Endless Bloom.”

Find the latest collection of Ivey Abitz clothing at IveyAbitz.com.

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Designer Notes

Gilbert and the Gilbert Cardigan

Meet Gilbert, namesake of the Gilbert Cardigan

Gilbert with his fabric swatches for bowties, given to him by his fabric friends in NYC.
Gilbert with his fabric swatches for bowties, given to him by his fabric friends in NYC.
Gilbert inspecting fabrics from his favourite travel bag, where he feels safe.
Gilbert inspecting fabrics from his favourite travel bag, where he feels safe.

The Limited Edition Gilbert Cardigan was named after one of our four-footed children. Gilbert was rescued from a wretched puppy mill in 2013. Thankfully, he wasn’t filling his puppy-making quota, so he was surrendered to WeHelpAnimals.net, a rescue group run by our dear friends in Tennessee. He’s been an absolute joy to have in our lives.

Because of his smaller size and quiet disposition, Gilbert frequently accompanies me on many outings. His favourite outing is visiting our fabric makers in New York City where he gets doted on with treats and fabric swatches for bowties. His sweetness, quirkiness, and playfulness is emulated in the playful stripes and comfort of the Gilbert Cardigan.

May Gilbert’s namesake cardigan become a faithful everyday companion for you as well.

– Cynthia Ivey Abitz

Limited Edition Gilbert Cardigan from Limited Edition 2016 Collection, as shown in our comfortable and versatile Inkwell/Natural White Textured Striped Knit.
Limited Edition Gilbert Cardigan from Limited Edition 2016 Collection, as shown in our comfortable and versatile Inkwell/Natural White Textured Striped Knit.
Categories
Client Stories Leslie in North Carolina

Go Everywhere and Do Everything in Ivey Abitz

Go Everywhere and Do Everything in Ivey Abitz

This has been a motto for quite some time for us, and it’s a wonderful thing to see it firsthand in our clients’ lives. Comfort and beauty are relevant for hardworking women.

We’d like all of you to meet a new client that has become quite special to us. A farmer, veterinarian, and artist, Leslie has appreciated Ivey Abitz for years and placed her first order from Summer 2016.

Along with these beautiful photos of Leslie working her farm wearing Ivey Abitz, we received a heartfelt note from Leslie included below.

Leslie working on her North Carolina farm wearing her Ivey Abitz Phinneus Coat Dress in Wolfie Grey Crinkled Voile.
Leslie working on her North Carolina farm wearing her Ivey Abitz Phinneus Coat Dress in Wolfie Grey Crinkled Voile.
Leslie working on her North Carolina farm wearing her Ivey Abitz Phinneus Coat Dress in Wolfie Grey Crinkled Voile.
Leslie working on her North Carolina farm wearing her Ivey Abitz Phinneus Coat Dress in Wolfie Grey Crinkled Voile.

My Phinneus Coat Dress arrived today. My fingers brushed its material as I pushed aside the tissue paper wrapping. I was immediately compelled to grasp the beautiful and surprisingly soft steel gray bundle without unfolding it and hold it against my cheek, relishing in its coolness. I let the fabric flow over my hands as I unfolded it and gazed upon my very first Ivey Abitz creation…sigh…..I am truly blessed. Thank you.

-Leslie in North Carolina

Thanks to Leslie – and her husband’s photography – for sharing a glimpse of beauty with all of us.

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Barbara Jean from California Client Stories

A Dream Fulfilled in Paris

By Barbara Jean in California

Barbara Jean in the Pere Lachaise cemetery, Paris, wearing Ivey Abitz.
Barbara Jean in the Pere Lachaise cemetery, Paris, wearing Ivey Abitz.

It has always been a dream of mine to visit Paris.

When I think of Paris, I find myself imagining all the creative and passionate souls that have walked these streets, sat in these cafes, and lived their dreams out in this city.

When you dream of something so intensely, it is no wonder that the Universe begins to arrange things to bring your dream into reality.

I knew that I would be traveling to Paris to walk those streets myself. What I didn’t know was that my perfect wardrobe for walking those streets would be created by another creative and passionate soul, our dear Cynthia, along with all of the talented hands and hearts at Ivey Abitz!

When I found these clothes, it was immediately apparent to me that they were clothes that were made to be worn, made to be walked in, and I could hardly wait to wear them for my grand adventure in Paris.

When my first package arrived, I had to quickly put my new ensemble on and go for a walk! How good they felt, so comfortable and yet elegant. Timeless, yes, that is the right word for these creations – timeless.

What stood out for me in my experience of wearing Ivey Abitz Bespoke clothing in Paris was a feeling of “traveling through time,” especially as I walked the avenues in the Pere Lachaise cemetery, seeking out the names of those creative and passionate souls that I had admired for their writing, their dancing, their bravery, their love of life. I felt as if I were stepping back in time, walking along with them. It was a truly wonderful moment in time, unrepeatable as moments like these are.

“We’ll always have Paris,” it is said. And so, as I wear my Ivey Abitz wardrobe here in my home in the United States of America, I know that the dream lives here in my own heart.

As I walk my dreams into reality, I will be wearing my Ivey Abitz clothing, traveling into the future while honoring the grace and courage of the past.

– Barbara Jean from California

Categories
Client Stories Liz in the South

An Ivey Abitz Wardrobe in the Beautiful South

By Liz in the Beautiful South

After years of perusing the Ivey Abitz website I am, at long last, an extremely happy new customer. I don’t know why it took me so long to place an order. Clothes are very important to me.

Liz shares part one of her Ivey Abitz wardrobe.
A glimpse at some of Liz’s new wardrobe from Ivey Abitz.

One of my cherished, early memories is of my grandmother making my kindergarten clothes. We went together to look at patterns and choose fabric. Then she created a one of a kind wardrobe that instantly made me the best dressed five year old in town.

Now, at age 59, I’m able to replicate that experience with Ivey Abitz. These are clothes for those of us not interested in participating in fast fashion, who pay no attention to trends, but instead build a consistent wardrobe and look over several seasons. These creations are precious and will last many years. The designs are timeless, the fabrics gorgeous, and the sewing exquisite.

Liz shares part two of her Ivey Abitz wardrobe.
A glimpse at some of Liz’s new wardrobe from Ivey Abitz.

Every time I wear one of my new garments, I notice yet another exceptional detail. And they are so comfortable I can forget I have them on, until one of my friends exclaims over a new jacket or dress and wants to know where on earth I found such a treasure. And then I direct them to the Ivey Abitz site.

I’m a convert!

-Liz in the Beautiful South

Categories
Client Stories Lavinia in Portland

Swathed and Comforted in Ivey Abitz Bespoke

By Lavinia in Portland

Wearing Ivey Abitz bespoke clothing after a double mastectomy.
Lavinia in Portland wearing her Ivey Abitz bespoke clothing.

Ivey Abitz first came across my radar in 2013, though I cannot remember how. I was instantly enchanted. I ordered one frock, and the ensuing winter storms on the east coast delayed the arrival of this frock well past the holiday season. Cynthia corresponded with me and was most concerned and reassuring. She treated me as if I had ordered an entire wardrobe when it was only one frock, on sale. Her courtesy impressed me. I loved my new frock. It was elegant, simplicity itself, and I found many ways to wear it.

In spring, I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, and though it was stage one, it was a particularly aggressive kind of tumor. It was profoundly shocking as I was propelled into the efficient machine of cancer treatment, beginning chemotherapy within two weeks, knowing surgery was the final outcome. I elected to have a double mastectomy because if the lymph came out clean, I would not have to undergo radiation. I didn’t want to mess around with this kind of aggressive cancer. I wanted it GONE. I elected to not have a reconstruction done. I would be flat chested. Yet I still wanted to feel feminine.

When summer arrived – hairless (me, not summer) – I found the IA summer sale email and began to dream. This body was undergoing many changes and sensations. I dreamt of a new body. I dreamt of a look that would be sensual, feminine, dignified, playful, gamine. I thought about what excited me and knew that the feel of clothes, the touch of fabrics, was as important as the flow and line. I placed an order, then another, and another, and Cynthia and I began a dialogue. It felt so good to know someone was on the other side dreaming and creating and making these clothes – someone with an aesthetic similar to mine, with a passion for beauty, elegance, and quality.

When Cynthia invited me write a piece for the Ivey Abitz blog, I was thrilled. I’ve been a lover of clothing and costumes all my life, and I know I am not alone. Sometimes I feel conflicted about this passion. Yet, as we make major life changes, we humans, in all cultures I can think of, invariably wear some special and particular clothing to mark the occasion. Christenings. Baptisms. First communions. First day of school. Graduation. Marriage. Taking vows. We mark these occasions with special garments. In the Jewish tradition, there’s even a blessing you say when you don a new garment. Clothes are ornaments of the human body. They can be playful, expressive, freeing, restrictive, sensual, powerful, symbolic. They can evoke an entire life, allowing one to capture feelings difficult to express. Clothing solicits our imagination and invites us to invent ourselves again and again.

I wanted to reinvent a more spacious self, braver in being willing to wear what pleased me, rather than what was considered “hip.” I wanted my clothing to move and be moving. Slipping my Ivey Abitz Lake Plaid frock over my head and shoulders felt like I was sliding into a pool of cool water. The cloth moved as I moved, making a swishy sound. When I wear it, I am transported to a green glade. In it, I walk with sunlight on my shoulders, even in our Portland rain. I found the Cobblestone Pond gauzy cotton incredibly soothing on my recently surgically altered chest. I feel swathed and comforted. I love how the Tilbrook and Hambledon dusters flutter around my legs. It makes wearing jeans feel impoverishing by comparison. I combine these garments with elements from my current wardrobe, like boots and sweaters.

It is so delightful to slip on such lovely clothing knowing the designs and fabrics are quite unique. I feel spacious when I wear these garments. And I frequently experience a kind of synesthesia, where sounds, sensations, scents, and colors frolic in my consciousness. Here’s a little of what I experience when I wear Ivey Abitz designs: Celtic music, sun streaming through leaves just so, susurration of wind and leaves, fragrant breezes. People respond to these looks. There is a heightened sensation that accompanies the wearing of Ivey Abitz. I highly recommend it.

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Cheryl in California Client Stories

Ivey Abitz in Paris

Cheryl wearing her Ivey Abitz Evie Frock, Cilla Slip Frock, and Wildefield Sash in Paris.
Cheryl wearing her Ivey Abitz Evie Frock, Cilla Slip Frock, and Wildefield Sash in Paris.

Almost two years ago, I was having a lazy afternoon messing around on Pinterest when I came across a picture of an Ivey Abitz creation. Needless to say, the love affair began. So, when I had the opportunity to spend the month of July in Paris I knew Ivey Abitz was coming along with me!

As soon as the Spring/Summer 2014 Collection debuted I was glued to my iPad assembling my wardrobe for my trip. French weather in July can be a little tricky, so I needed garments that would work for both cool, rainy weather and hot, humid weather.

Of course, Ivey Abitz delivered on all counts. The pond washed gauzes, beautifully soft voiles and scrims, beach grass florals, the linens…oh my gosh, somebody stop me.

Let the shopping begin.

One of the best things about Ivey Abitz is the owner/designer Cynthia. The customer service she provides is beyond compare. Whenever I had any questions regarding any of my orders I could always expect a prompt response that was thoughtful and reassuring. I’m one of those late night online shoppers and up until about 6 weeks before I left I was still making purchases. Every dress, camisole, skirt, pant and sash that I ordered arrived in time for my trip. Cynthia’s expertise in choosing fabrics that mix and match so well that I was able to put together a different look almost everyday of my trip.

And don’t get me started on the quality of their work–the wonderfully finished seams, antique buttons. I was even able to add/subtract an inch with custom tailoring when needed.

One of the things I dislike about traveling is packing. Not this trip. I think I was as excited to wear my new clothes as I was to be in Paris. The whole experience was fantastic!

Thank you again, Ivey Abitz, for making me feel beautiful and unique on my adventure to France. I look forward to many more!!

~ Cheryl from California