Today we’d like to introduce you to Jodi Weisleder. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Jodi’s Statement: Why Choose Us?
Designing is very personal to me. It’s like an opus that comes together through thought, beauty, color, inspiration, careful planning, attention to detail, and an understanding of whom I’m selling to, What her needs are, market trends, social/buying habits, climate, geography(urban vs. suburban), and demographics. I try on my samples as they’re being made (a trick Donna Karan taught me in Parsons); I look in the mirror and try to understand where I’d wear this and why someone would buy this. Then, constantly ask myself: “how can I make this better”? Much of my inspiration comes from scouring the finest Italian wool and cashmere mills, curating a collection of the softest, most delicate coating, choosing pantone colors to custom dye each fabric, and tapping into the energy feel when I’m walking the streets of Manhattan. I am fortunate to have traveled to many exciting cities in Europe and Asia, but NYC is my hometown. I’m still mesmerized by the city, especially at night so designing for a New York woman is a natural for me. My design/pattern process begins with the shoulder pad I design for each coat. The pad dictates how the coat will fall. I go through several drafts of patterns and 3-4 muslin fittings before we cut a sample. No sense in spending all that money on fabric if the coat isn’t going to look good. Even when the sample is made, I tweak every bit of it so it fits perfectly.
My cut is contemporary with slimmer arms and a body-hugging shape, yet it still includes women of all ages. All coats are cut, sewn, and finished in Toronto, Canada. Having lived here in Canada for 32 years and manufactured clothing here, I can say with authority that the quality of Canadian workmanship is just wonderful! The lifespan of my clothes is very long too. I still bump into longtime clients that tell me they still have my clothes from the 90s. My process continues with the less glamorous elements like searching for suitable quality support materials such as fusing, canvas, lining, and insulation(which keeps you warm in the dead of winter). Little details are added to complete the look, such as custom logo brass hooks to hang your coat, special pockets to fit your I phone, and the perfect button to finish the look. Even my velvet hangers are luxurious. My fur collars and cuffs are sourced from Finland and Canada, are all removable, and give a timeless richness to the coats. At its inception, the Jodi coat collection was born out of my need to find the perfect high-end coat under $2,000 that had all the bells and whistles of designer coats. I’m proud to say my coats will retail between $1,200 and $2,000, depending on the fabric composition and fur trimming. Of course, 100% cashmere styles will be a little higher. I aim to deliver a beautiful, well-made coat at a normal price. We size from size 2-16, so we can accommodate all body types.
I invite you to peruse our site, send us questions or feedback and possibly own your own Jodi Luxury Coat.
Happy Shopping!
Meet Jodi
Born and raised in NYC, Jodi Weisleder grew up in the frenetic atmosphere of city life. While earning her degree in Fashion Design from Parson’s School of design, Jodi interned at Perry Ellis. Jodi married Mark Weisleder in 1990. They have two daughters, Hillary and Jillian. Jodi International LLC was formed in 1992. The line was a collection of designer women’s suits, dresses, and sportswear. After debuting her Fall 1993 collection on the runway at Toronto Fashion week, Jodi began selling her clothes to fine boutiques and department stores across North America, including Holt Renfrew, The Room at the Bay, and Nordstrom. In 2002 She opened ‘J by Jodi,’ a less expensive line of sportswear, and in 2005 she opened ‘Hill and Jill”, a tween line of fine dresses and separates. Jodi designed the Canadian Olympic evening wear uniform for 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics; she was awarded the North York business excellence award and was a three-time Matinee fashion foundation award winner. After closing her company in 2009, Jodi changed career paths and got her pro chef at the Culinary Institute of America. She has volunteered for the past ten years, teaching pastry to homeless kids at Covenant House in Toronto. “I’m excited about this new venture”… after closing the New York office in 2008 and our Toronto office in 2009,” I always regretted not having designed coats”.
There’s not enough selection in the market for fine wool and cashmere coats. All I saw were puffer /down coats. I’m not walking through an airport, meeting a client, going to a restaurant, or strolling through Saks in a puffer coat! Jodi Coat Collection was the brainchild of my search to buy a coat. The only coats I liked were $5,000! It’s cold in Canada for six months of the year, and I don’t want to wear a puffer coat over a silk dress and heels! .. and so my journey began to develop the perfect coat that was fashionable, warm, well made, and retailing under $2,000 USD. Both my daughters live in NYC, where most people dress. I couldn’t find a nice coat, so I designed my coats for them. I started with good quality wool/cashmere, insulated it, lined them in bright satin, and trimmed it with pretty buttons and a beautiful fur collar. They both asked for a big hidden pocket for their phones. They were both so thrilled. I was so proud to have my old “ Jodi” label in a beautiful garment again.. and so it began… My coats are versatile.. I wanted my woman to wear my coats with everything and anything from walking the dog in sweats and sneakers, to brunch in leggings/ or a skirt and combat boots, to work in a suit, or a party in a dress, pantyhose, and stilettos.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Anyone who tells you it’s been a smooth road is not telling you the truth. My first endeavor in fashion lasted 16 years from 1992′-2008 and it had many highs and lows. The same is true in this recent return to fashion. I showed up at my contractors every day pouring over the coats to find mistakes and with coffee and donuts in hand for the sewers so they’d want to do a good job!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I make high-end wool and cashmere women’s coats, often with removable real fur collars and cuffs. I sell direct, eliminating the middleman so prices are fair and cheaper than the designer section of department stores… I make my coats in Canada and check on production myself. With my fashion background the fit is great, I make a big range of sizes so even large women can fit into my coats
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
1) Work for someone before you start a business. 2) Work retail so you can understand the consumer’s needs. 3) Never copy. 4) Don’t make it in China. 5) Listen and learn. 6) Understand tailoring. 7) Watch your money. 8) Careful not to extend credit unless you’re sure you’re getting paid. 9) Shipping fabric from Europe is very expensive; consolidate your shipments and try to buy from 1 mill so it’s cheaper shipping.
Pricing:
- $700-$1800
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jodiluxurycoats.com
- Instagram: @jodiluxurycoats
Image Credits
David Hou (416)568-6243.
