Posts tagged dry cleaner

Sudsies Uncovers Gem Designer Picks… Right In Our Backyard

Designers in South Florida

As South Florida’s top luxury dry cleaner, we at Sudsies appreciate great fashion talent. We also love our community and the people that make Miami the “Magic City.” So, we thought we’d combine two of our favorite things and highlight some local designers who are, or who we predict will soon be, turning heads across the globe.

Contemporary I

Transparency is always a good thing, especially when it comes to fashion. And Viviana Gabieras (Vivian G) is superior when it comes to luxury knits and stretch fabrics. Her line, Petiti Pois, fuses everything Miami – wild prints, vibrant colors, spicy silhouettes – with a mastery that captures attention without overwhelming. In fact, we could say her work captures the best of best worlds in a lot of aspects. Her pieces make for statement staples on their own or can be combined for a powerful look and effortlessly transfer from day to night… All are proudly made in the USA via her manufacturing company in Miami, FL.

Through her work in design, humanitarianism and mentorship, Vivian G has a loyal following not only among Miamians. Television personalities, supermodels, actresses have all sizzled in her design; among them Shakira. Need we say more?

 

Contemporary II

With his clothes in more than 500 boutiques, Julian Chang has grown his brand worldwide, but he’s still Miami’s darling designer. His designs send strong statements with taste. Landscape prints, graphic patterns, and vibrant colors cascaded down the body with ease. Even Chang’s simpler separates make for great basic pieces, but with a fashionable edge.

Chang also specializes in evening wear, as well as custom creations for his celebrity clientele, including Brittany Spears and Gloria Estefan. He claims that his garments merely outline the style within each its wearers. This may be the case, but then it should be noted that his works always seem to bring out their confident side.

 

Red Carpet/Black Tie

Miami is filled with highly-talked about affairs – social extravaganzas, that is – and Nicolas Felizola is the designer to covet. Described as a modern Renaissance Man, Felizola draws from a range of intellectual and art forms, adding photographer and attorney-at-law among his list of practices. As a fashion designer, he’s known among the “Best Designer[s] of Miami Week”, “Universal Excellence Award” winner, and Forbes’ listee of ten influential Hispanic designers in the US.

His designs are clean, yet architecturally interesting with origami-like silhouettes or unique patterns created within his selection of lux fabrics. Collections include red carpet-worthy dresses, bridal gowns, and a men’s line of sleek suits that any woman wouldn’t mind placing their arm upon.

Designer Natalya Eberjey

Swimwear

When you live in Miami, swimwear quickly becomes a wardrobe staple too. Russian-native, Canadian-raised Natalie Toporova quickly embraced beachside fashion, launching and running with her namesake collection based out of Miami. Bold lines and unexampled cutouts challenge the traditional bikini, fusing fashion with athleticism, and a touch of Bond-girl appeal. Custom suit creations are also available to best highlight favorite features… and creatively flatter those that are not.

 

Lingerie

Fashion versus function is perhaps never more apparent when if comes to intimate apparel. No matter how much accumulated, stylized lace and satins remain dormant in drawers in lieu of the go-to comfy, albeit dowdy, favorites. Co-designers Ali Mejia and Mariela Rovito set out to create a line that would flatter women’s bodies, yet feel good against their skin too. Since 1996, their brand Eberjey has been doing just that. Starting with the Boy Short, Eberjey has conquered one part of the body at a time with thongs, bralets, camis, pajamas, and loungewear that defined girly-sexy-comfy style. Lush fabrics delicately cling to the skin, while touches of perfectly-laid lace seamlessly contour the body’s curves.

Eberjey has since expanded its soft, feminine style with a swimwear line, but even more enticing is its darling Girls Mini swim line of suits trimmed in delicate ruffles.

 

Rugsies’ Bonus Picks: Furniture Design

 

B. Pila Design

As an interior designer, Bea Pila uses space as her model to convey her clients’ personal style. The hallmark of her work is custom-like pieces and other one-of-a-kind finds that are not only beautiful, but inspire use and enjoyment. But uncovering these unique pieces wasn’t always easy. In fact, it was sometimes impossible.  This prompted her to expand into furniture design to fill in these missing gaps.

Thus began her game of Hide & Seek, a furnishing and accessory collection highlighting vintage acrylic in unexpected ways. Organic-meets-glamour with cushions of hair-on-hides combined with the sleek lines of acrylic and chrome, while heavy woods and mirrored tabletops seemingly float from their translucent bases. What we really love about this line is the high fashion-inspired details, as seen in the leather straps with stitching and metal accents via buckles and end caps. The results are striking statement pieces for the home that somehow fit in with any design environment.

 

Michael Wolk Design Associates

Michael Wolk sees no differentiation between art and furniture design. With a formal education in painting and sculpture before focusing on industrial design, he claims to use the exact same processes across all three mediums in bringing a vision to life. Furniture just happens to have the functionality. As with any artist, Wolk finds inspiration all around when creating his pieces – noting that a simple landscape hedge was the impetus for his signature Miami Chair. With vast experience, technology, and drive, Wolk’s team has evolved into master technicians in supporting an idea with the highest quality materials, processes, and form. The result is a portfolio of pieces that are clean, yet stylized…. we’d call them utilitarian sculptures.

 

As you seek out these local gems, remember that Sudsies specializes in the cleaning and care of all types of clothing, including couture & designer labels, bridal, hand-sewn pieces and other delicate items. Our sister company, Rugsies, cares for the “garments of your home” with upholstery, drapery and rug cleaning, including stain removal services.

An Alter[native] Holiday: Tips on how to Refresh your Wardrobe for the Season!

Food, drink, gifts… the holidays tend to bring out the decadence in everyone.  And party attire is no exception, but sometimes we don’t have the extra time or the extra funds to invest in new cocktail attire.  This season, we asked our alterations team to provide ideas on how to revamp our favorite, albeit dated, garments into updated pieces with just a few simple tweaks.

 

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT:  Hemlines range all length this season, but generally, just-above-the-knee or tea-length can be tricky.

Shorten – Minis are still ever popular.  For the bold and the leggy, try bringing up the hem just a couple  inches for a younger look. Asymmetrical cuts with slightly longer backs are an even more modern take, plus provide extra coverage.

Lengthen – If your mini days are over, lengthening with a different material adds texture to an outfit.  Try a silk band with a velvet shift dress, or vice versa.  For a more architectural look, opt for a ruffled hem at the base of a pencil or other form-fitting skirt.

 

BEJEWELED:  Jewelry, phone cases, teeth…. bling is everywhere!  Garments are no exception, as even sweatshirts this season are embellished with gems and beads.

Subtle – Isolate an area of the garment – collar, pockets, sleeves, for example – and create a simple monochromatic pattern of oversized crystal and rhinestone flatbacks.  This can be done in the same color as the dress or in contrasting choice (white with black and vice versa, black with a baby blue dress, canary yellow with navy, etc.)

  • Elaborate – Cover the whole piece in an elaborate pattern, featuring all sizes, textures, and/or colors of rhinestones, crystals and beads.  This technique can be particularly striking on a mini dress, blazer and/or full skirt.

 

 

 

 

AT ARM’S LENGTH – For winter, sleeves of varying fabrics and silhouettes add a touch of warmth, but also appeal, to a garment.

Long – Create a slim long sleeve with an accent material, such as an elegant lace, sheer silk or leather.  Three-quarter length is also a classic option.

Short – Update with a strap or trim of cut lace that flows off the shoulder. Or, create a bold cap-sleeve of gemstones.

 

 

 

 

More information about Sudsies and its sewing and alternation services can be found at www.sudsies.com or by phoning 1.888.898.SUDS (7837).  You can visit us at our Miami Beach (6786 Collins Ave) or North Miami (12711 Biscayne Blvd) locations for a consultation or have us pick up your items directly from your home or other location of choice.

Your team at Sudsies wishes you a happy, safe and ever-fashionable holiday!!!

 

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The Cloth Behind the Clothes: Part Five – WHITE COLLARED SHIRT

The next pick on our Fall Fashion Fabric Guide is perhaps our favorite – yep, we’re talking about the white collared shirt!  Stock up, as this single garment is perhaps the most important staple, and most versatile, for any closet.  The white collared shirt is a timeless classic for its ability to complement any style.

Feeling empowered?  Pair with this year’s menswear looks, choosing a traditional look or adding a sexy twist.

Feeling flirty and feminine?   Take a cue from Carolina Herrera herself and her signature look by pairing a white blouse with a full skirt.

Not a fashion risk-taker?  A blouse can also tone down any bold trend pieces, so you still look conservative, but current.

Any hairspray, makeup and perfume should be applied before putting on a dress shirt, as these are the biggest culprits that contribute to yellowing and stains.

CARE CAUTIONS:

  • Cleaning these shirts are not as simple as their appearance.  It is recommended that white collared shirts are not placed in the dryer, or if so, for a very minimal amount to of time on low heat.
  • Avoid keeping in hamper too long, as sweat and oils can start to seep in and help premature yellowing.
  • Shirts should be ironed when slightly damp.

Take a look back at the previous parts of this blog series by clicking here:  Part One – KNITS, Part Two – LEATHER, Part Three – CAPES, and Part Four – FAUX FUR.

The Cloth Behind the Clothes: Part Three – CAPES

Ok, in South Florida we may be limited in picking up the cape trend, but it IS a more reasonable alternative to traditional coats with more air flow to the body.  No superheroes here, just super fashionable.  Coverlets have been modernized in a range of ways, from cropped, to short and feminine, to long and sweeping.  For those anomaly cold days, capes can be paired with long leather gloves for an uber chic look.

CARE CAUTIONS:

  • Though probably not often worn in South Florida, these garments should still be cleaned at least once during the “winter” season.  As outerwear, they are touching public spaces and coat checks, as well as accumulating makeup and hair product residues.
  • Before considering a cashmere option, understand that this fabric is very delicate and susceptible to microscopic abrasion.  Those with an on-the-go lifestyle may want to consider a wool/cashmere blend.
  • If opting for the wizard-style, bear in mind the longer hemline attracts debris from the floor and streets.  As such, buyers may want to go with a darker color to help camouflage this effect in between cleanings.
  • Before placing back in storage over the Spring/Summer months, be sure to professionally clean and store in a breathable garment bag of tissue to prevent mold build-up.

Need to catch up on the other parts of this series?  Check them out here!  Part One – KNITS and Part Two – LEATHER

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The Cloth Behind the Clothes: Part Two – LEATHER

In continuation of our Fall Fashion Fabric Guide series, we now bring our attention to leather.  A stand-alone statement piece or used in a hybrid form with other fabrics, leather was this year’s “it” material.  Leather is traditionally associated with a biker or rocker vibe, but this season, designers quilted it, used as trim or paneling, and fashioned into sleek silhouettes to present it in a more sophisticated light.

Care Cautions:

  • This material is an animal hide, not derived and woven from plant materials; therefore is prone to some imperfections.  A leather tanner will treat and color the materials to hide much of these imperfections, but over time, these treatments will wear away, re-exposing them, much in the same manner that makeup covers up blemishes but wears off over the course of the day.
  • Many professional cleaners recommend recoloring after cleaning to replace the finish that is naturally lost over time.
  • With leather and suede, it’s especially important to store in a cool place over the summer months.  Hides will stiffen from heat and humidity.  These materials are also more susceptible to moth damage.  That being said, never store in plastic, for this will only trap in heat and moisture.  A muslin cover stored indoors is the best alternative.

In case you missed it, check out the other Fall Fashion Fabrics in this Series by clicking here:  Part One – Knits.

Sudsies Bubbles Over: Second Location in North Miami

Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry has announced the expansion of its services with the opening of a second location in North Miami. Located at 12711 Biscayne Boulevard, the 8,000 sq ft space will act as both a customer storefront and processing facility. Coupled with its original location in Miami Beach, Sudsies offerings span Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

“We’re continually striving to enhance the quality of our work, and this new location helps us do just that,” says Founder and President Jason Loeb. “Now, our customers can expect and enjoy even more services and faster response times.”

With the location expansion also comes the expansion of the Sudsies team. Its fleet of vans offering free pick-up and delivery is expected to double in size to reach all corners of the South Florida market.  New cleaning experts and equipment bring with them new operational and managerial techniques to increase production capacity and turnaround times. While primarily a processing facility, a storefront component allows for customer pickup, drop-off, alterations and general cleaning consultations. Both Sudsies locations incorporate EPA-sanctioned green cleaning initiatives including wet cleaning processes, gentle detergents, water-conserving machinery and recyclable hangers and packaging.

Sudsies’ many core services include eco-friendly dry cleaning, laundry, alterations, restoration and preservation, couture work, on-site home cleaning and complimentary pick-up and delivery across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. High-tech facilities, in-depth skills and expertise and customer convenience are a part of the Sudsies S.M.I.L.E. mantra to provide friendly, impacting experiences for its clientele. More information about Sudsies and its many offerings can be found at www.sudsies.com or by phoning 1.888.898.SUDS (7837).

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Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry Announces Expansion of Environmentally-Friendly Cleaning Systems

Clothing at Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry will take on an even greener tone.  The South Florida-based dry cleaner announced the expansion of its environmentally-friendly cleaning department with the most recent high-performance equipment and agents.  These processes mainly incorporate Professional Wet Cleaning and Hydrocarbon Cleaning, cited by the Toxic Use Reduction Institute (TURI) in Massachusetts as among the top alternatives to traditional perc dry cleaning systems that better support environmental and consumer health.

“It’s not easy being green, but it’s among our top priorities here at Sudsies,” says Founder and President Jason Loeb.  “We’re constantly exploring new and improved ways to impart the biggest impact on our clientele with cleaner, better-looking garments, while having the least impact on the environment.”

Professional Wet Cleaning is an alternative process incorporating biodegradable detergents, texture enhancers and specialized finishing equipment.  According the recent TURI report, the method does not emit hazardous air pollutants and requires the lowest electricity usage of all garment cleaning options.  Additional key environmental organizations including Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Green Peace, and Sierra Club Green Home deem wet cleaning as the most eco-friendly solution.  While the technology isn’t the newest of the perc dry cleaning alternatives and has its limitations, it has evolved with significant improvements to its effectiveness and safety.  New cleaning solutions and computer controlled conditions are gentler on fabrics, helping to maintain the integrity of the garment and a new-like appearance.

Despite wet cleaning benefits, there is still no single cleaning process that is perfect for all types of clothing.  To best provide high-quality effectiveness across the vast range of its in-bound clothing, Sudsies has also incorporated Hydrocarbon Cleaning to its arsenal of green alternatives.  This second innovation does not rely on any Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-classified hazardous air pollutants to function and is recommended by the agency’s Design for Environment Program.  Sudsies’ hydrocarbon technology is especially suited for fragile articles, vintage wears, and intricate couture pieces, all of which are core specialities for the company.

Eco-friendly initiatives are part of Sudsies’ care trifecta for its clients, clothes and environment.  The dry cleaner’s full-service offerings include dry and wet cleaning, laundry, alterations, restoration services, vintage and couture care, bridal gown preservation and on-site home cleaning.  Customer convenience is further enhanced with complimentary personal pick-up and delivery to all locations across Miami-Dade and Broward counties, as well as nationally via a Sudsies Express Mail service that cleans and ships garments across the United States.

More information about Sudsies and its offerings can be found at www.sudsies.com or by phoning 1.888.898.SUDS (7837).

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Snow Bunnies: Good. Dust Bunnies: Bad The Sudsies Guide to Ski Wear Storage

Time to replace the hot cocoa with lemonade…ski season is coming to a close.  Hopefully, you’ve mastered a new trick or two on the slopes, though it’s likely your snow apparel underwent a little wear-and-tear in the process.  Before storing ski clothing, there’s a few things you can do to ensure its in tip-top shape for when the resorts reopen.

  • Give all items a good cleaning to remove any excess water and prevent mold and mildew from harboring over the summer.  This includes, hats, headbands, gloves, scarves and socks (no, your boots are NOT the best place to be storing your socks).
  • For the extreme winter sport adventurers (or just the accident-prone), now is the time to mend any rips and tears in jackets and pants to help prevent any further damage, as well as remove stains so they don’t permanently set or attract critters while in storage.
  • Once clean, do not store items in plastic bags or containers.  This will only lock in moisture and humidity, counteracting the benefits of cleaning beforehand.  Storing without any protectant or well-sealed coverings, on the other hand, can make clothing susceptible to insects and other pests.  Specialty storage boxes or natural cotton garment bags, such as those found at the Container Store, are good options.  Clean, ventilated suitcases are another alternative.
  • Ideally, avoid placing in environments prone to high temperatures.  Cool, dark, dry places help prevent any fading and mildew growth.

As for tips on extending the life of ski gear, check out this article from SkiMag.com: http://www.skinet.com/ski/article/how-store-your-ski-gear-summer

Proper storage takes a little extra effort, but come next winter, you’ll be ready to hit the slopes!  Let Sudsies make it a littler easier for you…we’re known for our specialty garment services and can have your items clean and ready for their summer hibernation.  For even more added convenience, make use of our new Sudsies Express Services, where you can ship your clothes to us right from your ski town and we’ll prepare and have them delivered back to your South Florida home, or wherever your Summer travels take you within the USA..

Sudsies Takes Competition to the Cleaners, Captures #1 Spot in WPLG Local 10 Top 10

The people have spoken!  Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry is officially South Florida’s most beloved dry cleaner as the category winner in the 2013 WPLG Local 10 Top 10.  The television station granted the company the top ranking following a dynamic voting campaign conducted through the station’s website and social media outlets.  Sudsies offers a full range of clothing and specialty item services across Miami-Dade and Broward counties, including complimentary pick-up and delivery to its clientele’s location of choice.

“This is such a great honor,” says Founder and President Jason Loeb of the results.  “We’ve developed a great team that is truly dedicated to quality of work and above-and-beyond service.  It’s wonderful to see that our customers are responding enthusiastically to our efforts.”

 

Founded in 1996, Sudsies has been a pioneer in the industry, becoming South Florida’s first fully-mobile dry cleaner.  The company has expanded its services over the years to meet every customer need including environmentally-friendly dry cleaning, laundry, alterations, restoration and preservation, as well as care of couture garments, wedding gowns and other specialty items.  Most recently, Sudsies opened a second processing facility in North Miami and enhanced its customer convenience even further by offering Sudsies Express Mail services across the United States.

High-tech facilities, in-depth skills and expertise, and customer convenience are part of the Sudsies S.M.I.L.E. mantra to provide friendly, impacting experiences for its clients.  Both locations incorporate EPA-sanctioned green cleaning initiatives including wet cleaning processes, gentle detergents, water-conserving machinery and recyclable hangers and packaging.

More information about Sudsies and its many offerings can be found at www.sudsies.com or by phoning 1.888.898.SUDS (7837).

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Hanging Tough . . .

I recently read an article that detailed the world’s most expensive clothing hanger. For $460, you get a birch-wood plywood mold with your selection from an array of designs across the lower rod area. You’d have to be a pretty serious, and wealthy, fashionista to invest in that.

While not as extravagant, we at Sudsies think our hangers are pretty nifty too. Forget wimpy wires, your clothes will hang happily upon return from our facility. The blue coating is safe on fabric, while the speciality design ensures no wearing or warping around the shoulder area. For slippery garments, our plastic hangers have built-in fasteners, while our wide shoulder design option supports heavier pieces to prevent any sagging.

Even Mother Nature loves our packaging, which is made completely from recyclable material. Furthermore, we provide recycling assistance for the hangers (if you’re willing to part with them) – simply return the items to our facility, or place with your next Sudsies order for complimentary pick-up.

While your clothing may not command a $460 hanger, they do deserve to be perched on quality hangers that preserve their look and overall life. For more information about our many laundry and dry cleaning services, visit us at www.sudsies.com.

Clean Tip from Sudsies:  Once your dry cleaning order is returned safe and sound, remove the plastic covering before placing back in closet to prevent any humidity moisture from building up and getting locked inside, which can cause damage to your favorite items over time. Good news, Sudsies protective coverings are made of recyclable materials too!

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