Ancient treasures as inspiration
Kaape was established in 2015 and produces coats with timeless cuts, inspired by the Norwegian garment industry of the 50s, 60s and 70s. All coats are made of Norwegian wool that will last for generations. Founder Lilla Rødal had trouble finding outerwear and coats that went with everything, a coat that could be just as nice for everyday wear as it was for a party that would keep you warm. An all-weather coat, or an everyday coat.
The inspiration to start the company Kaape dates back to 2005. Lilla was involved in converting the top floor of a disused garment factory in Tomrefjord into a bowling alley. From 1930-1970, coats and suits for both men and women were produced here. In the 1960s, it was the largest garment factory in Norway. The pensioners who volunteered for the conversion project had previously worked in the factory as tailors, designers and seamstresses. Lilla was presented with unique coats that they had hidden away in their dark attics. Later, she met Randolf at Fargerike in Vestnes, the tailor in the store, who had previously worked as a designer at garment factories in Romsdal. The two found each other in their shared interest in the history and design of the coats. Randolf's patterns and stories engaged Lilla in bringing old traditions to life through Norwegian-made textiles.
Randolf Vik was one of many tailors who lived in Romsdal in the mid-1900s. Romsdal was called "Norway's wardrobe" and the period from the war until about 1960 was the golden age of the clothing industry in Romsdal. Below you see an illustration taken from the book "The cradle of clothing and Norway's wardrobe: 130 years of clothing in Isfjorden and Romsdal" written by Edmund Søvik.
The clothing factories in Romsdalen in 1953.
= 1 company. Total 164 companies with 2794 seamstresses
Seamstress at Tomra Clothing in the 1960s.
One of our many inspiration photos. Here is Lilla's mother, Kjellaug, on a girls' trip to Southern Norway.
In addition to being interested in the textile and clothing industry, Lilla has always been concerned with using the resources that are available. She and her family have had sheep around the house every summer for the past 6 years and when Lilla asked the farmer what he used the wool for, he said that most of the Norwegian wool is sent to England to be washed. It is so coarse that it is often too rough to wear directly on the skin. When Lilla heard this, the foundation stones of Kaape were laid. At Kaape we use the coarse, durable wool for outerwear or other uses that do not require direct skin contact. The Norwegian wool can be exposed to a lot of weather, use and wear without losing its shape, or getting so-called "elbows and knees". Below you can read more about Norwegian wool and about our producers.
Photo: Pernille Bjørndal
Why Norwegian wool?
In the fall of 2013, the quality of Norwegian wool was evaluated by EPEA Internationale Umweltforschung GmbH and approved for Cradle to Cradle® labeling in the following areas:
Resource use and material cycles - biodegradable product and waste from production are recycled.
Energy use: solar – the sheep eat mostly grass and hay, and little machinery is used.
Cultural and ecological diversity - grazing sheep maintain healthy ecosystems and prevent overgrowth of landscapes, cultivate soil and contribute to CO2 storage.
Chemical safety - the Norwegian climate is suitable for sheep farming, and few chemicals are used.
Animal welfare - Norwegian wool is produced in a combination of outdoor summer grazing with lots of fresh grass, and indoor winter farming in barns with the right temperature and good care.
Washing - environmentally friendly washing process using biodegradable process chemicals and reusing waste materials.
KRIVI-vev AS, Tingvoll
In order to minimize emissions as much as possible in addition to supporting local businesses, the fabric for our products is produced at Krivi-vev AS in Tingvoll in Møre og Romsdal. Krivi-vev is a company with high expertise in textiles. They have made weaving with nature's own fibers such as wool, linen, silk, mohair and cotton their specialty. They own many of the same values and only produce quality-assured textiles with a long lifespan. You can read more about Krivi-vev AS here.
Elmitt Confex Prodimpex SRL
The tailoring factory is currently in Bucharest , Romania. Elmitt Confex Prodimpex SRL is a small family business of 10 employees that we at KAAPE have had a close and good relationship with for a long time.
Anita Oak Frostad
You won't find a better knitter! We are so lucky to have a collaboration with one of the best knitters we know, and she has designed our knitwear with us. She is also the one who knits our ready-made neck warmers.
