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Fibers can be found in:
The Dewitt Mall
1215 North Cayuga Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
Open everyday
11am-5pm
OUR STORY
Fibers Ithaca is a small, local boutique in Ithaca, New York that offers a unique selection of women's clothing, children's clothing, jewelry, accessories, home goods, and gifts. We take pride in curating products made by local designers, with a focus on women's jackets crafted from Finnish Marimekko cloth, and versatile Pashminas that can be styled in a variety of ways. Our passion for supporting local talent and providing one-of-a-kind pieces sets us apart from the rest.
We are a women-owned business offering one-of-a-kind creations. We’re dedicated to styling our customers in beautiful outfits and choosing color palettes that complement their ways of life.
JOAN REUNING
From an article in Downtown Ithaca News:
For those who enjoy a bit (or a lot) of style that makes a statement in their life, you must meet Joan Reuning, an extremely talented fashion designer. She has more than 30 years of experience handcrafting stylish garments for women.
Reuning is the proud owner of Fibers, a boutique known for its unique variety of contemporary silk-screened women’s jackets — each designed and handcrafted by Reuning.
“I’ve been sewing for a very long time and still enjoy it,” says Reuning, now in her 80s. “For me, the enjoyment comes from the creative process — making fun garments, eye-catching garments that look good as the person is approaching and walking away from you. Plus, I enjoy the people I have the privilege to meet through the store, including our team of strong, creative women.”
In addition to Joan’s creations, Fibers sells a selection of colorful pashmina shawls, handmade jewelry, scarves, and other accessories created by Connie Shipos, Joan’s business partner for the past 20 years.
Though Joan loves to chat about her passion for garment making, she is equally passionate about music.
Joan is an accomplished violinist. She studied at Rochester University’s Eastman School of Music, an institution long regarded as one of the world’s premiere schools of music before earning her master’s degree at the University of Illinois. Along with her husband Sandy, they were pioneers of the Suzuki method (pairing music teaching with philosophy).
Her love for playing the violin and desire to further encourage the use of the Suzuki method among others who share her passion led her to become a violin and viola instructor at Ithaca College. The couple then took their love of music to the next level by opening a music school, Ithaca Talent Education School, where Joan taught full time until retiring at age 50 and turning her creative energy into opening her store.
“I have loved music and art my whole life and continue to pursue music as a piano accompanist, but I have more fully dedicated my energy to my creations and my store, Fibers, more recently. We are also very proud of all the items we made. We’re excited to showcase them in our big new space in the Dewitt Mall that will provide comfort to shoppers while maintaining safety in these uncertain times,” says Joan.
When Joan isn’t busy managing her shop, you can find her baking, sewing, silk screening, knitting, or weaving on her loom. She also enjoys time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
CONNIE SUE SHIPOS
My career in fashion started at the young age of 8, sewing clothing for Barbie!
When I was 10, my mom taught me to sew. I would try anything. I copied all the latest fashions and made all my clothes for school (there were some real gems!).
I studied many forms of art in college and earned a BA in studio art with a minor in painting, so that occupied me for many years.
After college, I worked for Cornell University in the graphic arts department doing paste-up (some of you know what that is). With the onset of computers, I learned typesetting from the ground up. At that time, you could only see two lines of type on the screen, and when you hit return, it all disappeared. (no spell check, no going back!) Everything got easier by the time desktop publishing took hold.
As an employee at Cornell, I was able to enroll in courses for free in the Textiles and Apparel School of Human Ecology. While learning pattern-making, draping, and fashion drawing, I found my passion. There, I participated in 4 of the Cornell Design League's fashion shows, winning a grant to design garments based on the Cornell Clocktower, the Sibley Dome, and the Schoellkopf Stadium.
For the next 5 years, I was employed at CU as an assistant manager and draper in the Theater dept. While building/altering the students' extravagant costumes, we tried to teach them how to sew. Wow, did I learn a lot there - fabulous, stressful, inspiring job.
I presented a fashion show in New York City through the Plitzs Fashion Marketing group, which featured the Cornell Clock Tower dress, Sibley Dome dress, and Schoellkopf Stadium dress, as well as 20 original pieces adorned with my jewelry. What a whirlwind. Dream come true.
I began working with Joan Reuning at Fibers & Fantasy in 1998. I would sew her original designs. I also began consigning my jewelry and working in the store. To this day Joan and I work closely with our customers, creating original fashion at Fibers in the Dewitt Mall in Ithaca, NY. There you will find my Jewelry. Fashion. Art.
I’m married to my high school sweetheart after meeting in the Dewitt building that was then our Jr. High School! We have two sons and 3 grandsons and live in Lansing, NY.
RETURN & EXCHANGE POLICY
Since each of our pieces is custom-made, multiple sizes for each item are not available; however, we are happy to help with alterations if necessary and when possible.
If alterations are not possible or desired, online orders can be exchanged or returned for store credit within 30 days of delivery.
If you have any questions about a specific piece, sizing, or measurements, please email us at: fibersofithaca@gmail.com