In 2018 Christina Livada joined the family business, ChappyWrap, founded by her mom Beth Haller LaSala in 2006. The brand underwent a rebranding and relaunched in 2019 with the same mission that the brand was first founded on, “spreading comfort to everyone, everywhere with the world’s best blankets.”
Throughout the years the brand has brought the highest quality blankets from natural-cotton blends and high-performance fibers that truly set the ChappyWrap apart from other blankets available on the market with collaborations with artists such as Sara Fitz and well-known blogger, Lemon Stripes.
In this interview, Beth and Christina share an inside look at the brand, which ChappyWrap’s are their personal favorites, and a few of the collaborations that will be coming soon.
When did you first come up with the idea for the ChappyWrap?
Years ago, our family-owned a cozy, reversible, extra-long, cotton blend blanket woven with a lamb design. It was so well-loved that it became an integral part of our family and home. When we weren’t feeling well, it was the only blanket that always made us feel better. We found comfort in it daily. Years later, when we wanted to buy a similar blanket, we couldn’t find any that matched the warmth, size, soft feel, and durability of our original lamby blanket – so we decided to create our own!
Our mission was to produce high-quality blankets made from a plush, natural-cotton blend and high-performance fibers (versus synthetic, manufactured fibers). Our quest for perfection led us to a factory in Germany known for producing heirloom-quality products and this is where ChappyWrap’s unique jacquard designs are woven today.
How did the ChappyWrap get its name?
Chappaquiddick – or “Chappy” to the locals – is a special island near Martha’s Vineyard. In 2006, our founding offices were just a quick ferry ride from Chappy, and we are always inspired by the New England coast and beaches. We say “ChappyWraps were born in New England but made for everywhere!”
Tell me about the pattern design process.
While the term “Jacquard” is often thought of as a type of woven fabric, it is also the name of the mechanical loom used to produce ChappyWraps. Jacquard weaves are easy to recognize because they bear intricate, reversible designs on each side, all while maintaining a strong construction. We are always on the lookout for new designs. On occasion, we run design contests during which we ask our customers for design ideas (and they can win a free blanket if we produce their design!) Recently, we have involved various artists in the design process as well. Seeing their amazing artwork translate onto a blanket has been exciting for us all!
What sets the ChappyWrap apart from other blankets on the market?
ChappyWraps are made from a blend of 58% premium cotton fibers, 35% acrylic, and 7% polyester. The quality is unparalleled. Our unique blend allows for repeated washing while maintaining an extra soft feel. It also ensures our blankets are resistant to shrinking, pilling, and static. To make our fabric, individual yarns are twisted and fed into our Jacquard looms so that the cotton is next to your skin, with the fill fiber inside for durability and to prevent yarn breakage. This unique weave is why ChappyWraps can last a lifetime and always look as great as the first day you snuggled under it! Original size ChappyWraps are extra-long (60” x 80”) to cover you from head to toe. ChappyWraps come in 4 sizes: Royal size 90” x 90”, Original size 60” x 80”, Midi size 40” x 60”, and Mini size 30” x 40”.
We say that ChappyWraps are “Blankets perfected”…unique natural cotton-blend, jacquard woven, reversible designs, machine washable and dryable, soft plush feel, generous size, made to last a lifetime and “the best blanket you will ever own”
How closely do you work with the factory in Germany that brings your designs to life?
We work very closely with our factory in Germany. They oversee our entire production process from start to finish: they bring our design ideas to life with a computerized drawing, they produce our pre-production samples, they create the weave files for the jacquard looms, they produce our blankets, package them and prepare them for transport. Their quality control is exceptional; they inspect each individual blanket by hand.
In 2011, your daughter Christina joined the team. What has been the best part about working side by side in the business?
Christina joined ChappyWrap in 2018. We spent a year re-branding, improving our packaging and messaging, creating new designs, and developing a new website.
The new and improved ChappyWrap launched in June 2019.
Christina was well established in her previous career in Speech-Language Pathology but we had talked about how fun it would be to work together and she was often helping with ChappyWrap designs and Social Media.
When the opportunity presented itself, we knew we’d be crazy to pass it up, so we jumped on it!
The best part of working side by side is making creative and strategic decisions together and always being open to new ideas that can be executed quickly. Also, because we know each other so well, we can be completely honest with each other and do not have to spend time worrying about offending or stepping on each other’s toes.
Christina and I have the same mission: “spreading comfort to everyone, everywhere with the world’s best blankets”
You’ve collaborated with Julia of Lemon Stripes (blogger/influencer) and Sara Fitz (watercolor artist). What did you enjoy the most about working with Sara and Julia?
First, they are both terrific people and such talented businesswomen!
With Julia, it was so fun to come up with new designs and build something from scratch to represent her style and brand.
With Sara, it was determining which of her creative designs would translate best to blankets.
These two collaborations proved to be great successes. We look forward to many more in the future!
Do you have more collaborations/collections planned for this year?
Yes!! we have more collaborations planned for this year and next year: Sara Fitz Holiday, Shop Navy Bleu, Danielle Moss, WH Hostess, Sail to Sable to name a few! We also have something exciting coming with Grace Atwood in 2022!
Out of all of the ChappyWraps, which design is your personal favorite?
Christina’s favorite design is Captain’s Classic Dark Blue – because it’s just such a classic!
Beth’s favorite (s): Harborview Herringbones (available in beige, light blue, and navy) – because these match everything!
Also, the collaboration designs because so much thought goes into these designs. The detail in the Ginger Jars design by Sara Fitz is amazing!
What is one piece of advice you’d give to women who dream of creating their own brand?
Be authentic…be authentic…be authentic!
We truly believe that our blankets are exceptional and extraordinary. If you truly believe in your product and your message, there’s a better chance that the customers will believe it too!
If you have a product that means something to you, then you are better able to tell your story in a way that resonates with people. People ask us why did you start this company? They like to hear that these blankets meant a lot to us and to our family over the years.
Another piece of advice is don’t try to do everything at once. We have grown in stages: prioritizing the most important task, perfecting that element, and moving to the next most important task.
Last piece of advice: Have fun! Enjoy what you do and it’s not work!
Shop ChappyWrap and follow on Instagram @chappywrap
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