PRESS

Bath Life - April 2010

 

 Prepare for the April Showers

Innovative waterproof clothing company Water off a Duck’s Back, which was set up my Bath resident Antonia Maybury, is pleased to announce that from this month its range of unique coats will be available in Harrods.  The elegant British made coats are designed for female cyclists who want to commute and remain visible, warm, dry and stylish while on the go.  Harrods is the 13th location (including John’s Bikes and Boho in Bath) to stock the coast since their launce in 2011.

Antonia commented: “Harrods is such an iconic brand, recognised globally.  I am delighted that my coats will be stocked there.  My coats are designed to provide practical elegance while on a bicycle- at the same time as keeping dry warm and safe.”

www.wateroffaducksback.co.uk

Time Out Shopping Page 31st March 2011

Water off a Duck's Back

For chic cyclists who balk at Gore-Tex, how about a ladylike waterproof trench?  Water off a Duck's Back (at stockists throughout London) has designed the first truly elegant belted mac especially for cyclists

24th March - Bath Chronicle by Tom Bradshaw 

Knightsbridge Break for Niche Coat Company

A niche clothing business launched by Bath woman Antonia Maybury is taking the capital by storm. Water Off a Duck’s Back, which produces British-made waterproof coats for women, has been invited to sell its lines in the world’s most famous department store, Harrods, in Knightsbridge. The 32-year-old returned to Bath last year to launch Water Off a Duck’s Back, having previously worked in property in London. Since then the business has been enjoying rapid success. Its specially designed macintoshes are aimed at fashion-conscious women who want to preserve their style while out cycling, pushing the pram or walking the dog, whatever the weather might be.

They are designed to keep the clothes underneath totally dry and have hidden reflective panels under the cuff, collar and belt, which an he folded out after dark. Since launching her business in the autumn, the former Royal School pupil has persuaded 13 stores to stock her macs, including ten in London and two in Bath, at John’s Bikes in Walcot Street and Boho in Broad Street. Antonia’s coats will be available in Harrods from April 5 where they will be featured in the British section of Cycle UK’s area. She said: “Harrods is such an conic brand, recognised globally, so I am delighted that my coats will be stocked there.

“It’s such a vote of confidence in what the business is doing. I’m so pleased to be going into such a well-known place. “But I’m always on the lookout for more stockists and I can’t rest on my laurels.” Explaining why she believed there was a gap in the market for Water Off a Duck’s Back, she added: “Cycling is a brilliant way to get around – cheap, quick and environmentally friendly – but until now the clothing available was not very stylish. “My coats are designed to provide practical elegance while on a bicycle, at the same time as keeping dry, warm and safe.”

10th March 2011  Cycling Made Easy 

Cycle Macintosh in Action

Click here for video

26th February - Bike Biz by Jonathan Harker

Ten retailers snap up new female-focused clothing

UPDATE: Another two retail locations pick up Water Off A Duck's Back

Water Off A Duck's Back's innovative line of women's coats are set to be sold in ten locations in the UK. The UK-manufactured Cycle Macintoshs are an elegant take on the waterproof coat, featuring reflective and reversible panels on the collar, belt and cuffs that can be flipped round to adapt the coat once the rider steps off the bike. A button hem system stops the coat from flapping open and the coat also includes a detachable rain hood.

The coat, first launched at the end of last year, will be available from Cyclopedia, Fitzrovia Bicycles, Luv Handles, There Cycling, On Your Bike, Velorution, John's Bikes and Cycling Made Easy. UPDATE: Putney Cycles and Cycles UK in Greenwich have also just picked up the brand. The Cycle Macintoshs can also be ordered online from www.wateroffaducksback.co.uk.

“I am delighted to be working with some of the best cycling outlets in the UK and would like to thank them for displaying our product," said Antonia Maybury, founder of Water off a Duck’s Back. "It is great to see our coats out and about, especially with heavy rainfall forecasted for March. Commuting as a cyclist is fantastic, but brings with it limitations when it is dark and wet. I designed this coat to look good off the bike but to be functional on it, creating something that would add to the experience of cycling, and enable us all to get out and about when the weather isn’t great, something which is all too frequent in the UK.”

Maybury told BikeBiz that the firm doesn't currently have a distribution partner, but would consider a deal to market the product to retailers.

22nd February  - Angels and Urchins Blog

I'm always impressed when I hear about a parent launching a business on the back of what they’ve learnt having a baby. Admittedly, Antonia Maybury, founder of waterproof clothing company Water off a Duck’s Back designed her first British-made Macintosh with hidden reflective panels to help get her safely back from the pub at night by bike. The belt, collar and cuffs reverse to reveal the reflective panels, the coat is tailored to prevent it tangling in a bike’s spokes, there’s a detachable hood, and the entire thing can be machine-washed.

The Water off a Duck’s Back Mum’s Macintosh has huge pockets to carry all those baby essentials, the same hidden reflective panels, and it’s the right length to keep you dry without getting in the way of a buggy. And because it belts up, it can easily make the transition from pregnancy (and if you’re bumpy at the moment, click here for the dresses to impress) to new mum.

http://www.angelsandurchins.co.uk/blog/2011/02/22/water-off-a-ducks-back-macintosh/

2nd February - CycleScheme Newsletter

Cycling has not been known for its fashion sense. This is due to change with the advent of the Cycle Macintosh from Water off a Duck’s Back. The Cycle Macintosh has been designed to look like a stylish fashionable coat. It has clever features that mean that the reflective elements on the collar cuffs and belt can all be hidden when you are not cycling. The coat is, as you would expect from a cycling coat, still waterproof, breathable and is also made in England. Antonia Maybury set up ‘Water off a Duck’s Back’ at the end of 2010 because she wanted a coat that looked beautiful but that was safe to wear at night. ‘I wanted to be able to hop off my bike and walk into work/the pub without having to wear neon, or screaming ‘cyclist’. Water off a Duck’s Back were present at The London Bike Show and received an excellent response from lady cyclists. ‘The response was overwhelming.’ said Antonia ‘ It is apparent that there is clearly a gap in the market, and that this new style of coat is craved for’. There is currently only one style of coat in two colours – black and the typical Macintosh ‘stone’ colour. Antonia is currently working on new styles and colours, so check back on her website for updates! http://www.wateroffaducksback.co.uk [email protected]

28th January Jeanie B - Make it up Blogspot

So imagine my surprise when I walked into a cycle shop in London only to find amongst the inner tubes, a rather beautifully cut swing coat with a nipped in waist and wait for it - detachable hood.

The bike shop guy registered my surprise and gave the low down on the coat, a new range by designer Antonia Maybury her company is Water Off a Duck’s Back stylish coats for women who want to look good and stay dry.

This is the answer to the prayer I’ve often muttered - decent cycling outerwear with integral reflective tape. I’ve gone so far as to source reflective tape myself in order to design and make such a jacket.

This mac has a reversible belt, one side reflective - flip up the collar and roll down the cuffs for more of the same. It buttons in such a way as to keep the fabric far from the back wheel. I was too busy to try the coat on that day and the £130 price tag just before Christmas meant I’d have to be content just to drool. But my hat goes off to Antonia, an innovate design and a market gap well and truly exploited - I hope she extends the range.

19th January The Telegraph I-Spied

By Natasha Cowan

Cycling Active January Edition

Return of the Mac - Secret Cyclist

As we all know, cycling is the best way to get around the city streets but, to be honest, there is a downside. Once it gets dark, wet and cold outside, the only option is to don a proper reflective, breathable cycling jacket. And however chic and stylish the suit, or however casual and sexy the evening ensemble, arriving at the meeting/pub in a hi-viz yellow anorak just aint going to cut it.
So, new company Water off a Duck’s Back has come up with a solution: a stylish, regular-looking raincoat with all the hidden features of a cycling jacket. It’s fully waterproof and breathable, quick drying, machine washable and has large, yet discrete reflective panels revealed only when you fold down your cuffs, flip the belt over and raise the collar. Even the longer length, we are assured, will not interfere with the chain.
Available in traditional stone or black, it retails at £130.

14th January  The Environmental Transport Agency Blog

Fair-weather cyclist getting back in the saddle – London Bike Show!
by Lynzi.Ashworth
By my own admission I am a fair-weather cyclist; my daily commute has returned to the car as I am not brave enough to attempt my 16-mile ride in England’s winter months. I still use my bikes for the odd short trip, but over all my cycling has stooped to an all time low!

But that is about to change. As part of my New Year health kick I am determined to dust off my bike and oil up my chains and get back into the saddle.

To kick-start my cycling motivation I attended the opening of London Bike Show, which was part of the London Outdoor Show taking place this weekend.

The following in particular took my interest

I have a keen interest in fashion and a massive aversion to Lycra, so I’m always delighted to find practical cycle wear that looks good. This lovely cycling coat is made by a company called Water Off a Ducks Back and costs £130 from their show stand.

http://www.eta.co.uk/blog/lynziashworth/2011/01/14/fair-weather-cyclist-getting-back-saddle-%E2%80%93-london-bike-show

13th December www.thegearcaster.com

Waterproof Mackintosh Coat for Real Bike Style

Move over cycling jacket, here comes the cycling coat. Maybe not for the everyday bike commute, but if you plan to hop on your bike for a short ride to the pub or cafe to meet some friends, the new waterproof Macintosh coat from Water Off A Duck's Back offers an extremely stylish way to do so.
Water Off A Duck's Back was started by Antonia Maybury, resident of Bath, England. Rightfully so, Antonia hated the idea of wearing a neon cycling jacket for the short ride to and from her local pub. Instead, she decided to design her own cycling coat that would look stylish both on and off the bike.
Quintessentially British (the first Macintosh coats were made in Glasgow), this breathable waterproof Macintosh is essentially a normal coat off the bike with hidden reflective panels in the back of the belt, behind the cuffs and under the collar. Before you get on the bike, you simply turn down the cuffs, flip over the belt and the collar to reveal the reflective tape.

The cycling coat is expertly tailored so it will not catch in the wheel or chain of your bike. A hidden snap closure keeps the coat panels from flapping in the wind, while a detachable hood offers further weather protection. The waterproof Macintosh coats are all British made at a factory in North London and best of all, are machine washable.
Currently the Macintosh is the only style coat from Water Off A Duck's Back but Antonia plans to expand into a full women's cycling apparel line in the near future. The cycling coat comes in two colors, black and stone, which you can order for £130 from the company website.

9th December 2010 - Alex Crawford, Southwark Cyclists

Last night I stopped off at On Your Bike to have a look at and try on one of Water off a Duck's Back brand new and very stylish Cycle Macintosh's.

I'd never seen so many ladies in OYB at once!

The coats are lovely: beautifully made, with details such as reflective panels of the cuffs and belt, a cute detachable hood and a popper-button to fasten the hem so it doesn't flap open.

I didn't try cycling with the coat on but the company director Antonia assures that the coats are designed not to catch the wheels of your bike.

The coat is available in black and stone in three sizes: small, medium and large.

Price £130

I urge you all to go to OYB or visit http://www.wateroffaducksback.net/cycle-macintosh/ to check them out for yourselves - good Christmas present me thinks...:)
Regards,

Alex
twitter: alexecrawford

21st November 2010 - www.road.cc

New women's casual clothing from Water off a Duck's Back


We went down to John's Bikes Christmas Cracker in lovely local Bath last night and bumped into Antonia Maybury who's just set up a new clothing company, Water off a Duck's Back. Antonia found herself disappointed at the range of cycling gear available for women after getting back into cycling, and decided to do something about it: this cycle macintosh is the first product she's bringing to market.

"I didn't want to roll out of the pub and have to put on my hi-viz jacket for the ride home", Antonia told us, "So this coat is designed to look good off the bike but also be functional on it." Essentially a non-bike-specific black coat off the bike, there's reflective panels hidden on the back of the belt, behind the cuffs and under the collar. Before you get on the bike it's a simple case of revealing all the reflective and setting off for home; turning down the cuffs also makes the sleeves a bit longer for better wrist coverage on the bike.

It looks a nicely thought out garment and Antonia is currently looking for stockists in the bike trade across the UK, as well as – she's hoping – more mainstream outlets too. If you're in the Bath area you'll be able to get them from John's Bikes as soon as the first production run is ready.

18th November 2010 - Bath Chronicle

Cycling fan's smart fashion move

When keen cyclist Antonia Maybury takes to the roads, she likes to look stylish.

But she could never find a coat which kept her safe and dry – but also smart. Now she has set up her own company to make waterproof coats aimed at women who cycle, walk dogs and push prams.

And she will be showcasing her Water Off A Duck's Back products at an open evening at cycle shop John's Bikes in Walcot Street tomorrow.

The 32-year-old former Royal School pupil, whose father, Richard, is deputy mayor of Bath, worked in the property industry in London before moving back to her home city to launch the firm.
Click here for more

The coats hang below the knee and are waterproof, breathable and machine washable with hidden reflective panels that can be displayed after dark.

Antonia says more and more women are now cycling but want a coat they can wear in the daily lives once they've locked up their bikes.

She said: "I formed the company because when I cycled I was fed up of having to cover up my lovely clothes with baggy neon jackets.

"I was convinced that there must be a credible alternative – something that looks stylish and fashionable while at the same time waterproof and reflective. There was nothing on the market so I set up Water Off A Duck's Back."