Sketch of a woman wearing a hip-length patchwork jacket. This is the cut-out of the advertisement, and the copy reads, Bonnie Cashin does patchwork of leather for the smartest little pant topper ever. Beige, Geranium, Red or Sungold at�. Bonnie Cashin (September 28, ca. 1908� February 3, 2000) was an American designer and is considered one of the pioneering designers of American sportswear. She created practical, uncomplicated clothing that catered to the independent woman of the post-war era. . Cashin is often cited creating both the concept of layering clothing and for coining the term. The idea of layering came from time she spent in Asia. Her use of leather, mohair and hardware was pioneering and the brass turnlocks that kept the top of her 1940s convertible down became a signature feature of Coach handbags.