Sketch of a woman wearing a poncho and pleated skirt of the same fabric, with a turtleneck sweater, hat, and knee high boots. The skirt is just below the knee in length. This is a cut-out of the advertisement, and the copy reads, Step on out in Bonnie Cashin's great new poncho and pleated skirt in beige tweed trimmed in leather--forever! 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.