I work with people from all over the world. We don’t have a traditional model where there’s a CEO and coworkers in an office. We’re a team made up of independent experts in various fields.
What is something about your brand that would surprise people? I found it through the activewear world – where there is so much technical innovation - and it was initially developed for mountaineering jackets, so the cape is wind, water and snow proof but without looking “plastic-y.” We also use a three-layer system with a membrane in the middle that’s incredibly breathable and then an inner layer to keep the wearer comfortable. The material is very special and was only invented a couple of years ago. When shoppers try it on, they say, “Oh my God, I feel so strong,” and that is the biggest reward as a designer, to know your work has made someone feel great! What would you say makes your capes so unique?Īll Cape de Coeur pieces are crafted in the brand’s proprietary CoeurTex™ fabrication. Without a doubt, it’s the ‘Guardian’ - I’ve had the most incredible in-store shopping experiences with this cape. Capes effortlessly protect your beautiful outfit and accessories from the elements.”Ī post shared by Cape de Coeur one piece from your new collection that is especially meaningful to you? “I love the drama! I love the history of the cape and how powerful they can make you feel on a psychological level. “Powerful, spirited, innovative.” Why capes? How would you describe the style of your brand in three words? With that in mind, FASHION spoke with the creative director on sustainability, West Coast style, and everything else involving capes. “That was the moment where I was like, ‘Oh my God, there’s a gap in the market!’ Because there are many functional jackets but none that you could wear with Chanel.” “One day when I was still working at Lululemon, my colleague came in and started to complain about the rain and how there are no nice raincoats,” Reichl reflects. “The idea was to create a new category of outerwear because I truly believe that it should be practical as much as it should be beautiful.”Īlthough the Austrian-born designer has over 25 years of experience in the fashion industry, she credits the weather in British Columbia as the initial source of inspiration behind the label.
“We call it a technical high fashion brand,” says Reichl. Playing on the French adage coup de coeur (which roughly translates to “something you love”), the brand was born out of a need for stylish rainwear. I mean, what other piece can simultaneously conjure images of a late 2000s Blair Waldorf, a “Sad Affleck” in superhero tights, and a rainy ride on a Log Flume?Įnter Bettina Mueller Reichl, founder of Vancouver-based Cape de Coeur and avid cape enthusiast. Capes may be fashion’s most versatile garment.