Fabdesigns, Inc.
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Appointments/ Contact us: Appointments with the designers are availble to discuss your specific company's needs. 818-764-6767 or
see through intarsia is our specialty fabrication Designer knitwear |
The Art of Knits, Haute Off The Loom! From a small design firm in the 1980's, an innovative designer and a textile engineer created a unique artisan American Knitwear corporation focused on great design and quality! In the early 80's the principal owners, Concetta and Bruce, were busy creating 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 has a way of coaxing some of the most intricate fabrics from a hunk of complex metal known as 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. The combination of high tech meets old world artistry makes for luxurious one-of-a-kind special clothes. 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. Their collaborative synthesis of art, chemistry, innovation, and color is a sensory experience. ABOVE: Banana Republic Backdrop for "Cashmere Me" commercal - The Huffas created this 27'X33' cut and sew backdrop in a week. It took 5 people to carry this 300 pound tapestry through the sewing machinery. 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 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, artisan dye treatments, pewter clasps, leather labels, pearls, beach glass, and semiprecious stones adorned the one of a kind creations. A few pieces from the collection 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.
ABOVE: The original retail boutique and design studio in Encino on Ventura Boulevard. It was quickly clear that not just Southern California wanted specialty knitwear. New yarns, cuts and colors are constantly implemented. In recent years, 'Concetta Bruce' was a notable art-to-wear label in better specialty stores across the USA and in internationally known resort locations. The missy customer wanted to look younger. She didn't want her to look like she was wearing 'her mothers sweaters.' The contemporary line was sold through 5 independent sales reps in Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles and Dallas.
ABOVE: Business is brisk at the Atlanta Americas Mart showroom - Whaley & Associates The design house is completely vertical. Starting from raw yarns, through hand cutting each piece, nothing is mass produced. And only the finest European yarns are used.
The pair is constantly innovating and exploring modern fabrics and ancient techniques. One of their favorite creative processes involves both high-tech knit techniques with ago-old hand dye processes. Shibori is an ancient Japanese art form of transforming fabrics into wearable art. The main techniques Bruce and Concetta utilize are Arashi Shibori, or pole wrapping, and Mokume Shibori, a stitching technique. Their approach to Shibori is unique to most fiber artists in that they also create the raw fabrics. Often a mixture of modern surface textures, the couture pieces have a very one of a kind feel. Frequently a drapey knit is paired with Shibori to achieve dramatic one of a kind wearable art. Today, due to the rapid growth of the wholesale business there is only time to produce about 10 pieces per month of this type of special art. 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. Hand-sewn metal charms, semi-precious stones, beads, crystals, shell buttons, pewter clasps, and beach glass are frequently applied for additional customizing. We design and create unique one-of-a-kind knitwear for boutiques that you absolutely won't find anywhere else.It's like having your own personal design house! Connie Huffa E-mail: bruce.huffa@concettabruce.com Concetta - Designer / Fiber artist
   On-line orders welcome
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