CFDA Fashion Designer Regina Kravitz & STITCH SOUTHAMPTON Owner Rose Dios Launch New Fashion Line

CFDA Fashion Designer, Regina Kravitz and STITCH SOUTHAMPTON Owner, Rose Dios have partnered to create a collection of figure-flattering day to glamorous evening stunners and accessories reflecting the fast-paced lifestyle of today's woman who want that "go-to item" that works easily in her wardrobe from season to season.

'While both of us have strong business and merchandising strengths, my background is solidly entrenched in the garment industry and Rose brings an innate sense of style, combined with her already established and thriving store STITCH SOUTHAMPTON ," elaborates Kravitz. "Our line is designed with STITCH's customer in mind and the vision of STITCH... easy clothing for a modern woman with more a sense of style than a dependence on fashion."

The vibrant, contemporary REGINAKRAVITZ for STITCH Hamptons collection will be sold exclusively at STITCH SOUTHAMPTON (STITCH SH). The overall collection is comprised of over 20 different silhouettes from cool Capri leggings to long halter Gala dresses: sundresses worthy of any occasion, flowing tops, skirts, pajama pants and of course, jumpsuits, Regina's signature item.

"Our collaboration is about two strong, goal-oriented business women whose "passion for fashion" has lead us to create a line of practical but stylishly constructed dresses, jumpsuits and separates that are easy to wear, feminine, multi-functional, packable and affordable," stated Kravitz, a serial entrepreneur who started her original namesake clothing line in the early 1980s, achieved a volume of $15 million in national sales and then sold the company in 1990. "Rose is a CFP™ and wealth advisor with a large global financial services firm. As the owner of STITCH SH, she brings a similar one on one understanding of women's needs."

"Making a woman look great is something you achieve with honesty and knowledge of fabrics and fit," offers Dios.

Knits with spandex make up a large part of the REGINAKRAVITZ for STITCH line. But there are also beautiful laces, exquisite Italian printed silks, soft rayons, cottons and fabulous novelties, along with soft, ultra luxurious silk jersey prints and solids. "We like a bit of bling as well," admits Kravitz, a long-time member of the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA), Fashion Group International and FNW/Trends whose breathtaking Southampton bay front home, designed by local Bridgehampton architect Preston T. Phillips, is showcased in Rima Suqui's book, American Fashion Designers at Home, published by Assouline.

"Regina a seasoned and well respected designer in her industry has an innate sense of style and construction and a deep knowledge of costume history," reveals Dios. "Her designs are timeless with feminine, drapey details and touches of whimsy. Her customer is not an age ... but a woman who wants a multi-occasion wardrobe staple with a silhouette that addresses and deflects the many figure issues of a real woman. Cut and fit are Regina's expertise, and a simple V dress may actually have a built-in inner spandex lining to reduce her customer by a size."

Customer-Centric

Dios' retail mantra is "one customer at a time" ... and personalized attention and Uniqueness is the operative ethos at STITCH. Everything at STITCH is unique...from the shapes to the multitude of prints & fabrics. Garments can be tweaked and tailored on the premises. Sometimes adding a silk flower, beading or trim totally changes the look. Custom work ranges from wedding gowns to suits.

"The fit, personal quality and custom wear ability of Regina's designs are further enhanced by STITCH's excellent, professional on premise tailor shop," Dios adds. "STITCH not only focuses on custom alterations, but trim and extra details can be added to a garment to convey the customers' individual personality and taste."

Alpha Sizing

The new line's fit concept is based on European sizing or what is now called Alpha Sizes, where a more liberal sizing spec is used to avoid pigeon-holing its customer into a standard and often intimidating number....i.e. 2, 4, 6-18.

"Ease and flattering fit are our key message," emphasized Kravitz who, in a hiatus from her garment involvement, was a personal trainer for five years and is still into body building and athletic pastimes. "We designate styles by 0-4. For us, this spans XS-XL. Our XL is very ample as we want that customer to feel equally beautiful and confident in our clothing. We also include larger seam allowances where an item can be subtly let out without destroying the overall balance. In Rose's hands, a slight alteration makes a garment a perfect-fitting wardrobe favorite," added Kravitz..

Fashion + Philanthropy

STITCH SH is planning an active calendar of charitable in-store events and promotions to coincide with the many charitable and humanitarian events that fill the Hampton's social calendar. For example, in a kickoff to the 18th Annual Hamptons Heart Ball on June 28 in Bridgehampton, over 60 fashionistas got an advanced preview of REGINAKRAVITZ for STITCH at STITCH SH on June 20 ... with 25% of the evening's sales donated to the American Heart Association

Check STITCH's Facebook page for additional events, which will be announced throughout the summer season - https://www.facebook.com/stitch.southampton

Dios and Kravitz are personally philanthropically committed.

In 1991, Rose and her husband John Dios, sensitive to the needs of those less fortunate, invited friends for a pasta dinner and asked their guests to bring a bag of groceries to support the local food pantries. From that dinner, the Have a Heart Community Trust was born - www.haveaheartcommunitytrust.com Although the charity has grown considerably over the years, its mission has remained consistent: to help people in the Hamptons community thrive by lending a helping hand in times of need and crisis. "I always wanted to give back what I was given by my generous childhood community in Monroe Connecticut," offered Dios. "And with TEN siblings, sewing was a necessity if I wanted to look fashionable!"

"Charity and women-geared causes get my attention," said Kravitz, a member of The Common Good, a civic minded forum for ideas affecting our society. The daughter of a New York City Garment Center wholesaler and his fit model, Kravitz carries on the "Made in New York" family tradition. Her clothes are manufactured on West 37 Street in Manhattan as well as in Brooklyn.

Looking Ahead

New items will be added to the REGINAKRAVITZ for STITCH line each month. Concurrently, Rose & Regina are developing a Resort 2015 wholesale collection available for retail selling in early December by select boutiques in snowbird destinations (Florida, Arizona and California), as well as on cruise ships.

"There is always sun somewhere and that's our sweet spot," said Kravitz.