Category: Designer Notes

Notes from designer Cynthia Ivey Abitz.

Gilbert and the Gilbert Cardigan

Post author By Ivey Abitz Designer
Post date August 26, 2016

Meet Gilbert, namesake of the Gilbert Cardigan

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.

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.

Tags dog, fabric swatches

Designer Notes

Cottage Design Collection by Ivey Abitz

Post author By Ivey Abitz Designer
Post date May 31, 2014

A cottage.

A getaway that’s all your own.

A refuge from the have-to’s and the must-do’s.

Cottages come in different forms: a room set apart from the rest of your home, a cabin in the mountains or by the seaside, or a moment in time where you can shut out the world and surround yourself with comforts.

This is the new Cottage Design Collection — Cottage Camisole, Cottage Trousers, and Cottage Frock. They have a put-together quality about them, yet their abundant ease fills you with the comfort that makes the idea of a cottage so very profound.

We invite you to come to our Cottage and make it your very own. Find your getaway Cottage in Ivey Abitz, and order your favourites straight away!

Designer Notes

A Great Traveler and Top Layer

Post author By Ivey Abitz Designer
Post date May 5, 2014

Wispy White/Pond Floral Voile

Romantic without being too sentimental. It is the perfect play of blue and white hues.

The floral motif flits and floats across the 100 percent French cotton voile.

Semi-transparent.

Wispy White/Pond Floral Voile in Look No. 1 of the Ivey Abitz Summer Look Book allows other fabrics to show through for a special layering effect. — Note how the Wispy White Floral top fabric allows the plaid fabric of the frock beneath to show through.

Ideal for layering in extremely hot weather.

Wispy White/Pond Floral Voile is a great choice for your Ivey Abitz sash or scarf for summer.

Great traveler because it looks better crushed. Spritz with water, twist, and it is refreshed and lovely.

Simply hand wash cold and line dry, or gentle cycle cold and tumble dry on low heat.

Designer Notes

Fabric Spotlight – Faded Rose Washed Plaid Gauze

Post author By Ivey Abitz Designer
Post date April 29, 2014

Faded Rose Washed Plaid Gauze

Faded Rose Washed Plaid Gauze – Our double layered Italian cotton gauze is the most intricate and complicated gauze we have EVER met. It is incredible.

Truly incredible.

The play between the bolder and more faded design in the plaid plays tricks on your eyes, drawing you in even closer to it.

It is so breezy, but there is great coverage, considering it is a cotton gauze.

A hue note: the Faded Rose hue is really in the plaid. It is subtle in comparison to the black, but it is there, and it is what makes this gauze for us.

This fabric is a great traveler because it looks better crushed. Spritz with water, twist, and it is refreshed and lovely.

Simply hand wash cold and line dry.

This fabric is featured in Ivey Abitz Summer 2014 looks 6, 42, and 48.

Look 48 features the Cilla Slip Frock Flood Length in in Faded Rose Washed Plaid Gauze by Ivey Abitz. — Look 48 features the Cilla Slip Frock Flood Length in in Faded Rose Washed Plaid Gauze.

Note how the plaid is used on the bias in certain layers of garments to add contrast and cause that extremely pleasurable sensation of feeling beautiful.

Designer Notes photos

A Great Ivey Abitz Starter Set

Post author By Ivey Abitz Designer
Post date November 3, 2013

An Ivey Abitz clothing ensemble as ordered by a client. — A great Ivey Abitz starter set.

These garments were ordered to be worn just as you see them here. The Cozette Skirt was also chosen to be worn with other garments like the Hambledon Duster Coat, Truitt Jacket, Holkham Hall Vest, and Amorette Shirt Jacket to name a few. This is a great example of a “starter set” in Ivey Abitz where you can easily expand your wardrobe with just one ensemble. Mixing and matching possibilities are plentiful.

Holkham Hall Shirt in Black and White Striped Cotton Scrim
Holkham Hall Necktie in Black and White Plaid Cotton Voile
Cavendish Cardigan in Black Checked Netting
Cozette Skirt in Signature Black Ribbed Weave

Find them all here: IveyAbitz.com

Tags versatility

Designer Notes photos

Go-to frock of the season

Post author By Ivey Abitz Designer
Post date November 2, 2013

This just shipped out…

Clothing by Ivey Abitz. — This just shipped to an Ivey Abitz client.

The Addy in plaid, as well as our other frocks, have been the go-to frock of the season. Here’s another ensemble that was just made for a client, combining our Foggy Cotton Velvet Corduroy with our Foggy/Black Soft Plaid Cotton. A Baedeker Scarf in our Signature Black Ribbed Weave is as comfortable and versatile as it is lovely draped around the neck. The bias cut pleating in our Mathilda designs feature the variegated cording in the cotton velvet, making a striking addition to the ensemble.

Tags comfortable, frock

Designer Notes

Try not to wear it every day

Post author By Ivey Abitz Designer
Post date October 31, 2013

Ivey Abitz ensemble — Actual ensemble that shipped to an Ivey Abitz client.

This is the kind of ensemble that you have to force yourself not to wear everyday. Our indispensable Elliot Jacket makes a perfect pairing over the Addy Frock. The Addy is particularly stunning in plaid with its bias cut insets, pockets, and waistband. It’s relevant for casual everyday wear, for going out, and for special occasions. Best of all, it’s comfortable AND elegant — a signature Ivey Abitz combination.

–Elliot Jacket in Foggy Soft Ribbed Knit

–Addy Frock in Black and Foggy Soft Plaid Cotton

Tags comfortable

Designer Notes

Casual and Playful Ivey Abitz Designs

Post author By Ivey Abitz Designer
Post date October 24, 2013

A casual and playful look from Ivey Abitz. — Look 15 is casual and playful.

Notes from designer, Cynthia Ivey Abitz

Look 15 is one of the more casual and playful ensembles in the new collection.

The warm, rich colour in the Amorette Shirt Jacket draped over a slightly cooler plaid in the Fennefleur Frock is an unexpected juxtaposition without looking over-the-top.

A sash or necktie in our green linen is a nice touch loosely tied around the neck.

It’s also a featured look in our Walk on a Rainy Day gallery, a favourite with our patrons.

We’re almost sold out of the Russet Old World Wool Knit, so if you’d like this ensemble in your lifetime wardrobe, it’s a good time to have it made, just for you.

See more of Look 15 at the look book.

– Cynthia Ivey Abitz

Tags casual, comfortable

Designer Notes

Just Shipped Out

Post author By Ivey Abitz Designer
Post date October 22, 2013

Just shipped out –

Truitt Jacket in Foggy Plaid Wool and Silk Scrim
Fennefleur Frock in Foggy and Antique White Soft Plaid Cotton

This recent ensemble order from a client shows a variation on a theme from our ensembles in our Look Book. The Truitt Jacket in our new plaid scrim truly shows its versatility for the wearer. The Truitt and Fennefleur together can go in so many different directions, just by buttoning or unbuttoning the jacket and changing the accessories.

Here are just a few ideas of why these work so well together and how they can be worn in different ways:

— a unique look for work attire by wearing understated, yet elegant, shoes and jewelry
— a casual look for everyday wear by wearing the jacket unbuttoned and wearing ensemble with vintage sneakers or ballet-like slip-on shoes
— an evening out by wearing heels, a silk Clotaire Sash around the neck, and an antique brooch on the collar

Versatility is the hallmark of Ivey Abitz designs, and of the Truitt and Fennefleur together.

How would you wear these two designs together? We’ll create them for you, and you can find out for yourself! Best of all, right now the Truitt and Fennefleur have very special pricing when made in our plaid and signature fabrics. A savings of up to 45% off while the fabric choices are still available.

Tags advice, versatility

Designer Notes

Natural Calligraphy Linen

Post author By Ivey Abitz Designer
Post date September 29, 2013

Ivey Abitz is known for the handwritten word by our patrons. They receive a handwritten note of thanks from Cynthia in her incredible handwritten script every single time they receive a shipment. It is something she’s done for years as a sincere token of gratitude to those that appreciate Ivey Abitz garments.

Natural Calligraphy Linen in Look No. 14 from the Fall Winter Collection

When this very special european linen was presented to us, complete with notes and logos from the late 1800’s in beautiful handwriting, we knew it had to be a featured fabric in the Fall/Winter Collection.

A natural all-season linen base, the handwriting is finely printed across the linen, creating a design feast for the eyes.

This is the kind of fabric that we think our clients will love for a few mixing and matching garments — frocks, shirts, an everyday jacket, neckties… What are your favourites?

100 percent linen. So easy to care for by either washing cold by hand or in washer, then tumble drying low to keep the washed look as shown in the Look Book.

See it in the Fall/Winter Look Book and on most design pages as a fabric option.