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The Art of Knits, Haute Off The Loom! From a small B2B private label design firm in the 1980's, a team of innovative designers has created fabulous designer apparel that is so refreshing in a sea of look alike imports. Concetta Bruce is a jewel of a knit design studio where one is surrounded by colors, textures and inspired fabrics. In the early 80's the principal owners had individually created knitwear for some of the most prominent labels in the US, Europe, Canada, Australia and more.
ABOVE: Bruce Huffa, CEO of Concetta Bruce, and Concetta Huffa, President of Fabdesigns, Inc. Bruce Huffa is a creative British Textile Designer who is an expert in creating some of the most intricate fabrics possible on a knitting machine. His innovations to knitwear production give the fabrics and garments a unique specialness in this generic market of sameness. Concetta is a former textile professor and senior product development exec who designs with an innate passion for mixing color, textures and detail. Her lifstyle insights are the key to "it" factor of the luscious fabrics and wearability. Her achievments span apparel, consumer products and even the automotive aftermarket. Their consumate goal has always been affordable style that packs well and travels well. Comfortable styles with an element of sophistication are the cornerstones of everything they touch. From the beginning sketches to the finished product, they constantly have their customer's needs in mind. The flavor of their designs is a distinctly unique blend of Italian styling, British quality, and unique California fiber artistry. In 1988 the pair joined creative forces, creating beautifully original fabrics and garments. Originally it was known as Stoll Patterns and Designs, catering to the design and engineering of fabrics and fully fashioned garments on Stoll brand knitting machinery around the world. The designers created knitwear for some of the most prominent labels in the US, Europe, Canada, Australia and more. The company was originally located in the Olympic & Robertson area of West Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, designing knitwear for some of the most notable labels on 5 continents in the International fashion industry. Their collaborative synthesis of art, chemistry, innovation, and color was a sensory experience.
In rebellion to the watered-down creations and disposable clothing flooding the apparel market from over-seas in the wake of NAFTA and the WTO inclusion of China, the company changed direction in . Marketing directly to the consumers who were demanding newness and the high energy of originality, the company incorporated as Fabdesigns, Inc. and threw open the doors of their design studios to individual clients. ABOVE: A small sampling of their 80's and 90's consulting work. Employees at the corporate offices and factory are mentored on best practices, benchmarks and the highest quality standards In 2001 their one-time B2B design firm went corporate, launching a Childrens accessory line - Loomdoodles, a men's upscale golf line - Bevivino, and a luxury ladies line - Concetta Bruce. The original Fabdesigns' design studio evolved from a private label oriented knit wear company to a highly customized atelier studio which served the Southern California elite, celebrities and demanding studio clientelle by private appointment only. Hand beading, custom dye treatments, pewter clasps, leather labels, pearls, beach glass, and semiprecious stones adorned the one of a kind creations. A few pieces from the previous collections are shown below. ABOVE: A few pieces from their made to wear customized Missy line launched in 2001. the line was direct marketed to upscle consumers in the entertainment industry, celerities, and couture market. In 2003 Fabdesigns, Inc. launched a boutique and gallery in a Tudor building on Ventura Boulevard in Encino for Concetta Bruce. But the small studio could not contain the wealth of creativity as well as the rapidly expanding wholesale business.
It was quickly clear that not just Southern California wanted specialty knitwear. But after 911, rather than wither as many other companies did after the national tradgedy, the Fabdesigns, Inc. board of directors regrouped. They transformed the stagnant direct market business model into a retail/wholesale entity. The product was completely changed to the more viable contemporary market. New yarns, cuts and colors were implemented and creativity infused art-to-wear. The company expanded from solely a development service to sell unique garments to better specialty boutiques, galleries across the USA and in internationally known resort locations. The 20 and '30 something' missy customer wanted to look younger. She didn't want her to look like she was wearing 'her mothers sweaters.' The entirely new contemporary line was launched in 2003. Also in 2003, the company went completely wholesale, selling exclusively to high end specialty stores across the country. The add ti on of 5 independent sales reps in Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles and Dallas has been doubling sales every year.
ABOVE: Business is brisk at the Atlanta Americas Mart showroom - Whaley & Associates At the heart of the growing company is still the same original team which designs and engineers the extraordinarily beautiful fabrics. The design house is still completely vertical. Employees are trained from the ground up. Nothing is mass produced. And only the finest yarns are used.
In 2006 the company added additional equipment and computers. Needing much more space, Fabdesigns, Inc. moved to it's present location in North Hollywood. The art to wear business still turns out the occassional one of a kind garment. And the engineers still take on the interesting industial knit challenges that keep them always innovating. Completing the transformation, in January 2008 the company went back to its' roots, creating sophisticated textile surface design and knit wear designs for some of the hottest names in apparel and home furnishings. Wether you are searching for original chic contemporary apparel, creative fabric ideas or you need an exclusive concept to be developed, we are confident we can supply you with a range of great options and services - all tailored to your needs. We design and create unique one-of-a-kind knitwear for boutiques that you absolutely won't find anywhere else. Put something on. Feel how it raises your spirit. Let it illuminate your soul. You immediately get it! Every collection has certain energy to it, defying age and trend. Every piece is handcrafted in house. It's our passion to create! Email us for current styles, sizes and photos of avaialable pieces. Concetta Bruce E-mail: fabdesigns@aol.com Concetta - Designer / Fiber artist
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We have limited quatities available in new unworn sample pieces in size small (6-8) only in hundreds of styles and colors. If you see something on the site give us a call or email and we'd be glad to check availability. NEW Production is currently on HOLD for 2010 and will hopefully resume 2011-2012 season. Look for us on Twitter and Facebook.
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