The Gilbert Cardigan is a namesake of the dearest sailor and captain we’ve ever known, Captain Gilbert. He sailed the Great Lakes with his family, and his kindness left an indelible mark on us.
Playful stripes give a nod to classic sailor attire. The mix of different stripe directions give it a lightheartedness that is perfect for long summer days.
Wear over sleeveless frocks for coverage, camisoles for a twin set pairing, and collared shirts for an IA layered look.
The soft cotton (with a hint of rayon for strength) knit is thick enough to be opaque and thin enough to wear on hot summer days.
The finest antique buttons will adorn the front of each and every Gilbert Cardigan created.
This is the artist statement for Summer 2013 collection by Ivey Abitz. Written by designer Cynthia Ivey Abitz. View the 2013 summer look book.
View from the lake cottage.
It was charming and modest, the little green lake cottage I admired as a child.
Overgrown with vines, stone chimney cracked from neglect, hidden by leaning pines that, at any moment, could snap and cave in the roof.
The cottage was blind to the views of the sunrise and shore and sky and sand and snakeroot. It got to live there every day, right on the shore that I only got to visit every summer, but it couldn’t see anything.
The cottage owners had gotten old and tired and couldn’t travel to take care of it anymore. There the little green lake cottage sat alone, drawing me to it every time I looked at it.
I used to sit on a hill of beach grass when I visited the lake shore, right in front of the cottage, just so I could be close to it.
When I felt daring, I would peek in through the windows, knowing it hadn’t been inhabited in decades, but wishing I could see people inside playing Masterpiece around the table or playing piano on the sun porch. Some form of a happy existence. Any sign of life.
But I never did. I only saw signs of former lives when I peeked in through the windows. Hazy glimpses of knotty pine walls. Plaid linen. Stripes. Knit cardigans.
They won a Rustic Cottage Award — the owners. Back in the day when they had the energy to design it and build it and live in it. But they didn’t have the energy anymore.
As their lives faded away, the cottage dutifully followed them, until the day the owners let go and gave the cottage a second life. That was the day my parents bought it.
For the first time in twenty years, I got to go inside the little green lake cottage and look out of the windows instead of looking into them. The dead trees and vines were pulled away from its walls so it could see the sunrise and shore and sky and sand and snakeroot for the first time in years.
At that moment, the little green lake cottage became an immortal part of me, and I of it.
Sunrise Embroidered Silk Organza is very versatile. It shows its versatility in the Summer 2013 look book. It is shown with many different frocks and many other fabrics. It can be worn for special occasions as well as every day wear. It is classy and elegant. It is quintessential Ivey Abitz.
The Camilla Cream Plaid Silk Voile is a wonderful choice for someone who wants an interesting yet subtle fabric for summer. It has an unusual plaid that’s woven – not printed – directly into the voile. We put it thru a special washing process to give it more substance and raise the plaid. Featured at IveyAbitz.com at debut pricing through May 6, 2013.
I snapped this on a Sunday walk thru Central Park. Cynthia (left) is wearing the Blanchefleur Duster Coat over the Fennefleur Frock with boots from the Vintage Shoe Company. Evie is wearing her custom made sweater from a knitter in upstate New York. The “Look of Loyalty” theme for this first collection of 2013 is actually a permanent theme of Ivey Abitz life. And I was amazed at how this scene was like one of Cynthia’s watercolor looks brought to life:
A watercolor from the 2013 Collection One by Ivey Abitz
It can be tough to tear a busy designer away from her stacks of fabric swatches for 5 minutes. (Yes, even when you are married to her – which I am.) But that’s what I did on the one week anniversary of the 2012 Holiday Collection. I sat Cynthia Ivey Abitz (CIA) down for a 5 minute interview about her latest collection.
One of Cynthia's favourite everyday ensembles from the Holiday Collection
What’s the thing you’re happiest with about this collection?
CIA: There’s a simplicity and a complexity to the Milton Vest and Milton Jacket that draws me in. It has very simple lines so it can conform to any shape. That’s the simplicity part of it. The complex part of it is when you look closely at the collar, it consists of many different pieces, and there are many rows of top stitching all around the collar for both structural and aesthetic reasons. That’s the kind of detail that I love in a garment. They’re subtle, and it only takes a few seconds to notice those details.
What’s the most versatile fabric in the collection?
CIA: Our staple linens are our most versatile. They can be mixed and matched with everything from luxurious brocades to a pair of vintage jeans. But the brocades are equally versatile. At first glance, one might look at them and think, “oh, those are too dressy,” because they’re so intricately woven. Someone might love a brocade but think it’s too extravagant for their lifestyle or for where they live, but it’s really about mixing and matching, and putting it next to our other fabrics like our everyday linens. That dresses it down and makes it wearable for every day.
What makes a good holiday outfit?
CIA: There are so many answers to that question, and that’s the beauty of the collection. With so many options to mix and match within the Ivey Abitz collection as a whole, there’s an answer for me, and there are twenty other answers for twenty other people.
What are you wearing from the holiday collection?
CIA: My favorite ensemble for everyday wear has been the Fitz Vest in Floral Cotton Velvet over the new Phinneus Coat Dress. That over a pair of trousers or a frock, depending on the mood I’m in. It’s a great way to take what many people categorize as an ultra premium luxurious fabric and tone it down for every day.
Which of the holiday fabrics to you lean toward?
CIA: I gravitate toward the brocades that are intricately woven. That’s why there are four of them in the collection! I think they lend themselves so well to what Ivey Abitz is all about. They’re beautifully made, intricately woven, made with beautiful premium fibers from the best mills, and they complement the Ivey Abitz philosophy and aesthetic perfectly.
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Do you have questions or comments for Cynthia about her holiday collection? Post them in the comments below!
The Holiday Look Book in slideshow format. See bespoke Holiday Looks by Ivey Abitz, with a personal message from the designer Cynthia Ivey Abitz. Looks include vintage inspired Ivey Abitz designs in new fabrics, including rich brocades, embroidered silks, and cottons. And even a squiggly corduroy.
The Limited Edition Summer 2012 collection includes 3 elegant embroidered fabrics.
Of the three, Lake Embroidered Silk Charmeuse just sold out, so if you are interested in ordering bespoke Ivey Abitz garments in an embroidered fabric (at 20% off through 08/05/12), then don’t delay.
See all the fabrics from this collection at our fabric chart.
Today we mailed Summer 2012 fabric swatch portfolios to our Preferred Patrons before the summer collection debut.
This means three things:
The summer collection is almost ready!
Preferred Patrons will have the swatches in hand before the collection hits the website.
Preferred Patrons will have first choice of limited quantity fabrics.
How do you become an Ivey Abitz Preferred Patron? It’s simple: buy from every Ivey Abitz collection.
It is true that many Preferred Patrons are major Ivey Abitz collectors. However, you don’t have to dedicate an entire closet to IA in order to get patron perks. Even if you just buy a scarf from every collection – you’re in.
It’s not about quantity. It’s about a relationship. We love creating garments just for you, and we especially love doing that for you on a regular basis.
Some other perks include special offers not provided to the public. Some examples include
First choice of special fabrics not available on the website.
Complimentary garments for orders that meet a set purchase amount.
Seasonal offers and special discounts.
Rare samples offered for sale.
We would really love to add YOU to our growing list of Preferred Patrons. Won’t you join us? The current collection would be a great place to start.
Be sure to sign up for IA NEWS – the Ivey Abitz newsletter – to get special offers on these and other design/fabric combinations. You can also Like us on Facebook.
Spring pick #1:
Garments in Wolfgang Grey Ribbed Weave and Arthur Brown Ribbed Weave
The ribbed weave is a beautiful opaque fabric that breathes well for warmer days. It can be used in a single layering piece, like in a sleeveless Blanchefleur Frock, and it is perfect for a layering frock or jacket. Best of all, it travels well and hand washes beautifully. We have carried variations of this special fabric for five years now, and it gets better the more you wear it!
Wolfgang Grey Ribbed Weave
Spring pick #2:
Garments in Billowed Twisted Yarn Weave
Billowed Twisted Yarn Weave has a very airy quality to it. A perfect choice for a spring shirt — or even a frock that you’d like to wear well into the summer months. Its uniqueness is delightful. Hand washable and a great traveler.
Billowed Twisted Yarn Weave
Spring pick #3:
Garments in Wolfgang Grey Washed Silk
Wolfgang Grey Washed Silk is an absolute favourite because it can be worn year round. It’s a lightweight and opaque fabric that is completely breathable. I’ve worn this in 80 + degree weather, and it feels like I’m wearing a lightweight cotton. Hand washable and a perfect travel companion.
Wolfgang Grey Washed Silk
Spring pick #4:
Garments in Arthur Brown/Cream Checked Cotton Broadcloth
This is the go-to everyday cotton fabric for spring and into summer. A very low-key, yet put-together, kind of fabric choice. Easy care — just throw in a cold water wash on gentle cycle, and it should last for a lifetime with proper care.
Arthur Brown/Cream Checked Cotton Broadcloth
I hope this is a big help as you order your spring wardrobe. I encourage you to find your own favourites at IveyAbitz.com.
