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Designer Notes

Give Clothing, Give Power to Women in Need

A letter from designer Cynthia Ivey Abitz.

Dear Ivey Abitz lady patrons,

As your collection of Ivey Abitz garments grows, we hear many of you say, ” I don’t wear anything else now but Ivey Abitz, and my closet is filled with non-Ivey Abitz things I no longer wear.”

We have an idea of how to clean out your closet: it will help you with the Ivey Abitz wardrobes that you’re creating, and it will help empower other women – just when they need it most.

Through November 16, 2009, Ivey Abitz is holding a clothing drive forĀ Bottomless Closet NYC, a non-profit organization that helps economically disadvantaged New York City women become self-sufficient through their comprehensive program. It begins with dressing them in business attire outfits for job interviews from the Bottomless Closet boutique, created all from donations. The program also consists of interview preparation, professional development, financial management, and personal enrichment programs. It is all free for each and every woman that comes to Bottomless Closet for a hand in taking a new lease on life.

I have volunteered for Bottomless Closet, assisting women with putting together outfits for upcoming job interviews. The women first come in to shop at the boutique for clothing for their upcoming job interviews. The hope in the boutique is palpable; their confidence about their upcoming interviews and themselves increases exponentially with each outfit that is put together for them. Some share with me that it’s the first time they’ve been shopping for clothing in years. Others share with me that they just didn’t know what they would’ve done without Bottomless Closet to support them. Many leave with tears of joy streaming down their cheeks, and they hug the volunteers with gratitude for helping them find the perfect outfits. The power of good clothing and what it can do to positively change everyone’s lives should never be underestimated.

So, dear Ivey Abitz patrons, I’m hoping that you can assist these women by donating fall and winter clothing that you no longer wear. As a thank you for the garments you give to Bottomless Closet through our drive, we will give you money back in the form of a gift certificate on your next Ivey Abitz purchase.

Visit IveyAbitz.com for details on how to give clothing to Bottomless Closet.

We look forward to seeing more women’s lives change firsthand through your generosity and appreciation of Ivey Abitz.

Many thanks,

Cynthia Ivey Abitz
Designer, Ivey Abitz