Gabled Duster Coat in Sunnyside Washed Plaid; Idyll Brooch in Rose Garden Silk Weaves; Gabled Frock in Yellow Days Washed Stretch Weave. Ivey Abitz at Boscobel House and Gardens
Read What Clients are Saying
Collection no. 63, c. 2020 – Sartorial Sanctuary
Ivey Abitz clients are wonderful. They are some of the kindest people we’ve ever met, and we’re so grateful for them. Oftentimes, they take the time to write us after receiving an order from us and upon a new collection debut. Here are a few excerpts of our favourites that we have recently received during the new collection, Sartorial Sanctuary.
— I treasure my Ivey Abitz wardrobe, not only for its versatility and comfort, but also for its sturdiness, and the meticulous craft and care in its design and seamstress-work that go into each and every garment. I know this wardrobe will last me a lifetime, and my first purchases are my favorites to wear, due to the softness and ease that comes with wearing and enjoying them often. They are my Sartorial Sanctuary indeed!
Porte Cochere Shirt Jacket in Yellow Days Stripe Cotton; Porte Cochere Frock in Yellow Days Floral Weave; Gabled Frock in Yellow Days Stretch Weave. Ivey Abitz at Boscobel House and Gardens
Hudson Duster Coat in Herb Garden Petite Stripe Linen; River Frock in Natural Plaid Open Weave; Hudson Frock in Sunny Seaside Washed Plaid. Ivey Abitz at Boscobel House and Gardens
Porte Cochere Shirt Jacket in Yellow Days Washed Stripe Cotton; Porte Cochere Sash in Watercolour Silk Weave; Idyll Brooch in Yellow Days Weaves; Hudson Frock in Herb Garden Washed Linen. Ivey Abitz at Boscobel House and Gardens
Covante Frock in Rose Garden Patch Plaid Voile; Fairholme Sash in Rose Garden Plaid Patch Voile; Chevallier Cardigan in Herb Garden Soft Ribbed Knit. Ivey Abitz at Boscobel House and Gardens
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— It is the most stunning collection and photo shoot you have ever done! I leave my booklet out on my table so I can look at it again and again as I wait for my garments to be made.
Cover of the Ivey Abitz Look Book for Collection no. 63, c. 2020 – Sartorial Sanctuary.
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— Thanks for the kind note and the lovely packaging on my new capsule wardrobe, it really created a festive atmosphere. My daughter, in particular, quite admired the Fairhome Frock and the Wildefield Frock. I am wearing that very outfit now and I am throughly impressed with not only the quality of the construction of the garments but also the extreme comfort, better than sweatpants or pajamas, to my surprise.
Chevallier Cardigan in Herb Garden Soft Ribbed Knit; River Frock in Natural Plaid Open Weave; Hudson Frock in Herb Garden Washed Linen. Ivey Abitz at Boscobel House and Gardens
Porte Cochere Shirt Jacket in Yellow Days Washed Stripe Cotton; Blanchefleur Sash in Yellow Days Floral Weave; Gabled Frock in Yellow Days Washed Stretch Weave. Ivey Abitz at Boscobel House and Gardens
Gabled Shirt Jacket in Sunnyside Washed Linen; Porte Cochere Sash in Yellow Days Soft Floral Knit; Gabled Frock in Yellow Days Washed Stretch Weave. Ivey Abitz at Boscobel House and Gardens
Gabled Duster Coat in Sunnyside Washed Plaid; Campanella Frock in Gracious Green Washed Crinkled Linen; Idyll Brooch in Rose Garden Silk Weaves. Ivey Abitz at Boscobel House and Gardens
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— I had to take a moment and tell you how amazing you are.I don’t know how you keep coming out with new designs, new collections, amazing fabric and combinations and just nail it collection after collection with everything going on in the world. The fabrics are so amazing and the designs are delightful and you are magic.
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— My dear….we both know I’ve seen a number of look-books during our time together.However, this collection, these fabrics, your pairings are without question the most astoundingly beautiful notions I’ve seen spring from your brilliant mind.
Every photo is just…silly beautiful.The back cover ensemble is “transportational.”
Well, well, well done you.
Featured on the back cover of the Collection no. 63 look book: Montmorency Wrap Jacket in Sandy Embroidered Silk Organza; Wrennie Frock in Watercolour Silk Weave; Fairholme Frock in Peony Washed Plaid Silk; Cilla Slip Frock in Peony Soft Ribbed Knit. Ivey Abitz at Boscobel House and Gardens
When we read the first news article about nurses and doctors in the NYC area in short supply of masks, we reached out to our clients in the healthcare profession to see if we could help in some way. They confirmed that the need was great.
Ivey Abitz is donating many yards of our finest and sturdiest natural fiber fabrics to create masks that can be washed and sanitized again and again.
Our dear tailors have each made dozens of masks for the initial surge in our area, and we will donate more as needed.
More masks are being sent out this week, and we will continue to donate masks to healthcare professionals as they need them.
Our all-time favourite Blanchefleur Frock, worn by many of our clients for over a decade now, is available this spring and summer as a limited edition frock. It features our Washed Stripe Weaves, available in Gardenia/Sand or Sun/Sand.
Thoughts about The Beauty Suit, a book by Lauren Shields
by Cynthia IveyAbitz
When Lauren shared the exciting news with me about the impending release of her new book The Beauty Suit, I was thrilled to learn that someone had given such serious thought to clothing and how it impacts our everyday lives.
The day Lauren’s book arrived to me in the mail, my world stopped, and I read it cover to cover. As an artist that has devoted my life’s work to designing clothing that honours the internal and external self, it was so hopeful to read about Lauren’s journey from wearing the Beauty Suit (the mass-produced, tight clothing, the latest contouring palette, the revealing tops) to studying how different religions determine what is considered appropriate for clothing and why. Their norms have an undeniable impact on the norms of modern mainstream culture, as oftentimes trends are a reaction to them. It was fascinating to read what Lauren learned through her project of shedding the Beauty Suit, covering herself for the first time in her adulthood, and then trying to figure out what to do after her project was finished.
It’s an honour to know that, post-project and pre-release of Lauren’s book, she found a sartorial home in Ivey Abitz. We enjoy creating for her and getting to know her. We’re also pleased to announce the release of her new book, and we encourage everyone to order a copy and read it. It’s an important read for those that have worn the Beauty Suit or that choose to still wear it. It is, perhaps, an even more important read for those of us that have never felt the pressure to wear the Beauty Suit. Lauren’s book is a window into a world of immense pressure that focuses on sex appeal to stand out and be noticed. I discovered a newfound empathy and understanding of the women that wear the Beauty Suit trends.
To be sure, this book is not an attempt to shame women that choose to wear the Beauty Suit. Rather, I see it as a meditation on how we can transcend the current norms to find something better. We’re pleased that Lauren found that something better for herself in our garments. We know Ivey Abitz garments are not for everyone, and that’s okay. But we are thrilled to be here for Lauren and others that are delving deep into challenging questions, finding answers for themselves, and realizing that it’s a meaningful thing to be set apart from what she sees as demeaning trends. Lauren’s book beckons all of us, men and women, to wear clothing that doesn’t merely focus on our sexual assets and touts our sexual appeal but that celebrates and honours the entire person–body, mind, and spirit.
— Cynthia Ivey Abitz
Did you read The Beauty Suit or do you have a personal experience with it? Leave a thoughtful comment below. All comments are moderated.
Further reading: Lauren Shields interviewed Cynthia Ivey Abitz about her relationship to the Beauty Suit. Read the interview.
Emmy Winner Carolyn Hennesy wears Ivey Abitz as she hosts the Red Carpet at the 45th Daytime Emmy Awards, 2018. Carolyn’s gown was made just for her.
Carolyn’s Gown
— One hundred percent washed silk, cross-woven with rust and green threads. The weave changes hues in various lighting to look like liquid or a flowing metal. It is a silk weaving technique that was used during the Regency period for royal court gowns, though this silk is new and was woven this year.
— Handmade pin-tucking adorns the waist and handmade pleating adorns the bottom hem of the gown.
— Antique dog brooch, circa early 1900’s, is nestled inside of a hand sculpted brooch that adorns the tie in back.
— Over sixty hand sculpted floral embellishments adorn the bottom hem. Each was sculpted, then hand sewn onto the gown, taking three weeks to finish.
We receive many inquiries asking about which fabrics are nearly sold out in the current bespoke collection. Now you can save time and get the answers directly from the Fabric Status page.
Sold Out fabrics are listed at the top, and Nearly Sold Out fabrics are listed next. Keep in mind that sometimes fabrics will sell out before we have a chance to add them to this list. The moral of that story is to order early for best fabric selection.
We will be updating the fabric status page manually as we monitor our fabric stock, so use it as a guide but not a guarantee of availability.
Sometimes we are able to get more of a particular fabric after it is sold out, but this is a rare occasion. It may involve a wait while the fabric is made at the mill, which can take weeks or even months. In this case, we suggest discovering a new fabric to obsess over. Remember, the next collection is always around the corner. And one thing you can depend on is the continuation of the Ivey Abitz aesthetic from season to season.
As always, contact us if you have questions about fabrics. Even with website technology at our disposal, there is no substitute for personal interaction.
SOLD OUT – It went fast, and we don’t blame you for sweeping it up while it lasted. Original Plaster Embroidered Washed Silk is the first fabric of Spring to sell out. As always, order early for best selection. Find another favourite spring fabric at the Spring Fabric Palette page.
Introducing IA101 Essentials, a collection of ready-to-ship designs to jump start your Ivey Abitz wardrobe.
We selected a core group of designs that make the basic building blocks of a comprehensive Ivey Abitz collection, and we made them ready-to-ship.
IA101 is your entry to the world of Ivey Abitz. With the basics in your closet, you’ll be ready to build your authentic wardrobe with bespoke pieces from our seasonal collections.
Shop the basics in IA101, and you’ll get everyday life garments you’ll love mixing and matching for years to come.
Soon you’ll be living comfortably, confidently, and authentically with Ivey Abitz garments as your second skin.
Start with the IA101 Look Book to see the looks you can put together.
Or go directly to the IA101 shopping page where you’ll find all the ready-to-ship designs awaiting you.
Voting is yet another empowering activity enhanced by wearing Ivey Abitz.
This photograph features the New York State I Voted sticker from last week’s election day, honouring 100 years of women’s right to vote in the United States. Voting day ensemble includes garments from the new Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection – the Pineyrie Jacket in Tilled Field/Pewter Knit with the Limited Edition Blanchefleur Frock in River Houndstooth Rustic Cotton. The Attic Scarf from years back (from Collection One – 2010) is worn around the neck.
When Lauren shared the exciting news with me about the impending release of her new book 
