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February 4, 2005
Cosy cape a wrap for Shabbat
New rainwear combines stylishness of a cape with practicality
of a poncho.
MICHELLE DODEK
Sick of wearing a waterproof jacket that left her wet from the
mid-thigh down and looking like a shlepper (vagrant), but
unable to bring herself to wear some sort of plastic poncho that
would make her feel that she was on traffic duty, Lisa Yeoman had
an epiphany. She needed a waterproof, elegant solution to her wet
Shabbat problem. After all, when you walk to shul in Vancouver,
it's a rainy challenge from November to May.
In her mind, a cross between a cape and a poncho began to take shape.
Yeoman had been sewing clothing for herself since she was 14, so
this creative process was not new. Her poncho/ cape had to be long
enough to cover a long skirt, waterproof enough to stand 40 minutes
walking in a torrential downpour, be cosy and nice looking. A large
hood would also keep her hair from getting wet. The phrase that
kept going through her mind as she envisioned this project was "practical
elegance."
Necessity being the mother of invention, Yeoman created a fleece-lined
cape with a waterproof nylon outer layer. She was so dry and warm
in her new creation, she opted to wear it every day, not just Shabbat.
"Everywhere I went I got questions and compliments," she
said. "People would ask me where I got it so I told them I
had made it."
One day, someone forced Yeoman to think of making custom capes for
clients.
"As I was going into an appointment, a woman came running from
the Pilates studio across the hall," Yoeman explained. "She
just said, 'Where did you get that? I have to have one!' "
The woman was Harriet Segal and she soon became Yeoman's first customer.
It was Segal's enthusiasm that spurred Yeoman to make her unique
design into a business. Segal's cape was an upscale version of the
prototype, with custom fabrics. Instead of thick polar fleece, it
had black mink-like faux fur with a matching black nylon exterior.
Yeoman now offers a range of color options for the nylon and lining.
To be as cosy or cool as need be, the inside can be luxury faux
fur or polar fleece. The color and fabric choices, combined with
a large range of clasps for closures at the throat, can make this
as dressy or casual as the customer would like. One woman uses her
cape as her dress coat. She wears it straight down, making it look
as though it has wide lapels, to show off the "fur" inside.
One side can also be flung over the shoulder to give a more casual,
poncho look for day wear.
The market for Yeoman's cape is potentially very large. The roomy
design is perfect for expectant moms who can't fit into their regular
winter outerwear and who don't want to buy a special maternity coat
that they'll give away after a few months. Being a mother of two,
Yeoman has tested the cape while wearing a front carrier for her
younger child. She says it eliminates the need to carry and keep
track of a separate blanket to keep the baby warm. She also has
the idea for a children's line. Her six-year-old daughter, Odeya,
has even suggested a name for the line: Poncho Woncho. Both the
fleece and the nylon are machine washable, so they are practical
and convenient for adults and children.
Encouragement for this home-business venture has come from her husband,
Yuval, as well. As a Chanukah gift, he made up letterhead, cards,
invoices and brochures with a logo and the name of the fledgling
company, Warm Intentions. Yeoman is getting used to handing out
her cards wherever she goes. She has a sample card with various
fabrics and color choices on hand in case she literally bumps into
a customer on the street.
Having a home-based business enables Yeoman to be available for
Odeya and Tal, her two-and-a-half-year-old son with Down's syndrome.
In order to supplement her family's income in the past, she has
had other businesses, including making whimsical magic wands, custom
painted T-shirts, children's clocks and jewelry. This new venture
is different.
"Whenever I made anything before, I loved it because it was
a one-of-a-kind thing. When I made my cape and put it on, I just
couldn't stop thinking that everyone should have one of these."
For a stylish alternative for warm rainwear, forgo the umbrella
and contact Warm Intentions at [email protected]
or 604-873-2647. Prices range from $200 to $325 for adult ponchos
and are $85 for children's.
Michelle Dodek is a teacher, freelance writer and expectant
mother living in Vancouver.
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