Shabbos Robes: Fashion; Helping One Woman Cross Religious Boundar...

Shabbos Robes: Fashion; Helping One Woman Cross Religious Boundar...: "Teaneck, New Jersey, October 4, 2010- For twelve years now, Beverly Luchfeld, President and owner of Raza Designs Apparel has been crossing ..."

Treat yourself as a Queen this Shabbos

It seems like Shabbos Robes are all the rage now.  Young girls wear them on the stoop, Kallahs fill their trousseau with the robes, and “ Woman of Age” fete every occasion – especially Pesach- in a Shabbos Robe. My curiosity got the better of me this week and I decided to research the phenomena. Who was that first “Madam” who wore that most elegant Hostess Gown? Was it a Hostess Gown, or a Morning Robe?  Who was her seamstress, her designer? Did she care if it was washable? Did she use a Dry
Cleaner? Did she have a Butler, or a Maid at her beck and call?

Rumor had it that the “Shabbos Robe Culture” began years ago in the wealthy homes of aristocratic, Hungarians Jews. The elegant attire was called a “Pondele”. (This name is still popular in many religious circles today.) Research negated this fantastic myth. My most reliable contact, my mother, recalls her sister-in-law visiting for Shabbat, in Yosefowe, Poland, in a gorgeous black velvet, buttoned robe. There was a very delicate, pink passementry outlining the edges of the robe. And the large convertible collar could be worn as a hood, or a shawl collar.  The very “spitz’ of the hood had a gorgeous tassel in pink. My Mother is confident her sister-in-law never wore the robe to the Shabbos table. This lovely article of clothes was a Morning Robe, and was never worn in front of men!

To my dismay, as I began to investigate further, I learned that the “Pondele” is a truly America Invention!  We did not bring this “Robe of Many Colors” in our large armoires to America. We adapted the American Lounger, Caftan, or Hostess gown to meet our needs!

As in Poland, in America, it was verboten! -A refined woman came to the Shabbos tisch in a white blouse and navy (or black) skirt. The Morning Robe did make it’s way over from Europe to these shores, but the Shabbos robe came directly from the Intimate Apparel showrooms of Swirl, Periphery, Circa 2000, Georgette Trabolsi... etc. They were not exactly ideal but we made them work we added dickies, and longer sleeves, and lengthened the hems. Eventually we became a force to be reckoned with. The manufacturers had to create exclusive designs just for us. The robes were pretty trimmed in appliques and gold studs. They were modest, and proper, but all and all they were still robes.

Then along came Raza Designs NY, and changed the whole Shabbos Robe industry. The stores at first refused to buy the luxurious garments. Store owners were convinced no one would spend so much money for a robe. These were no longer robes; they were sophisticated gowns that one could wear to a Simcha. (Many a seamstress has copied a Raza Robe for a bridesmaids’s outfit.) Raza Robes became the “Yves ST. Laurent of Robes.” Every firm rushed in to imitate the style.

What is most wonderful is that the designers were able to combine the comfort of a robe with the look of an evening gown. A woman does not look like she came to the table in a robe. She is dressed to meet the Shabbos Queen dressed as a Queen, herself. There is no better way to honor oneself, one’s family and the Shabbos table. Can you imagine wearing a splendorous gown that is wash and wear, travels well, and doesn’t wrinkle, even in bed. Most important you don’t have to wear a girdle or hose!

Fashion used to trickle down from the Rich and Famous, to the middle class. Today fashion trickles up. It’s the young and beautiful that influence fashion the world over. Similarly in our community, it is the young who have embraced the concept of the elegant Shabbos Robes most. More than ever our young, mobile women are meeting and greeting one another in summer camps and seminaries in America, Israel and Europe. Gateshead is meeting Teaneck and Mea Shearim is meeting Lakewood. We, as a nation, are sharing nigunim, tastey morsels of different Jewish foods, minhagim, and Shabbos Robes! A young girl from Los Angeles, who has never seen a Shabbos Robe before in her life, will go to Israel for a year, and return with two! The next thing you know her father is telling her mother to get a robe so she too will look “Shabbaosdik” at the Table. This is how fashion trickles up in our community!

You might ask where do women in Cleveland, LA; Chicago, and Antwerp ... get their robes. They are not running to Boro Park before Shavuot. The Shabbos Robe phenomena has spread and one can find a store almost in any Jewish community. If the community is too small, there is a trunk show twice a year in town. Right now there is one going on in Riverdale, Cincinnati, Washington Heights, Houston, Texas and Teaneck, New Jersey. And for those who are busy,tired,in “Yechupitz”, or just need a special size, you can now log on to the net and buy your Shabbos robe. Raza Designs has introduced the first Shabbos Robes Website – WWW.RAZADESIGNS.COM.

 I am sure the Shabbos Robe Culture will continue to grow and mature. It has become an integral part of our lives and is attracting many fans. I always like to say it is an acquired taste. Once you’ve tried it, you’re hooked.  Pesach festivities in your new Raza Robe.

Stay tuned, and I will try to keep you up to date on the latest developments in Shabbos Robes. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the Shabbos Robe Maven at 1-800-7152195 or contact me at bevluch@gmail.com

Bev Luchfeld

President

www.razadesigns.com