Louise Kempe came up with one of those ideas that make other people, particularly moms, wonder why they didn't think of it first. Kempe's creation, the HoodiePet, is a hybrid of a fleece, cuddly hoodie and a plush toy that Velcros to the pocket of the jacket.
The HoodiePet makes sense because most kids go through a long phase of wanting to bring dolls or stuffed animals with them wherever they go and this item makes that desire easier to placate.
Kempe, who has three children, says she got this idea from her daughter, Alexia, who is now six.
"My daughter loves her plush animals and wished to include them so that's how I got the idea," says Kempe. "All of my children love to snuggle in soft material and wear it everywhere, not just to have as a blanket at home."
A HoodiePet fashion show launch event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at Discovery World, 500 N. Harbor Dr. It begins at 4:30 p.m. This will be the first public preview of the item.
The HoodiePet is made from 100 percent polyester fleece and come in sizes 1-2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years and 9-10 years. They come in blue, pink, turquoise, red and black. As of Nov. 1, they will be available at a kiosk in Mayfair Mall next to Santa. They cost $29.99 for one HoodiePet fleece coat and one HoodiePet animal friend. Additional animal pets are available for $7, two for $12 or three for $15.
There are nine animal friends and two smaller friends for the toddler sizes. All HoodiePet friends can also be used as finger-puppets.
"Of course they can all be collected and traded," says Kempe.
The HoodiePet website – which will launch on Nov. 1 – will sell the product, of course, and will also have activities for kids that allow them to learn the story of HoodiePet Island, discover facts about each animal friend, the chance to re-name their friends and the opportunity to print out an adoption certificate and pictures to color of their new plush friends.
Kyle Cherek will host the launch event at Discovery World. Kempe says she asked him to emcee because he is a friend, but also because she is a fan of his work on "Wisconsin Foodie" and because he is a dad.
"I dig the HoodiePet because it started as a DIY by a Milwaukee Mom and my 5-year-old loves it," says Cherek. "The 'pet' part is a kind of buddy that goes with them where ever they are. I would imagine some kids would trade them, but moreover, when you are little, some days you want to be be a lion, some days you want to be a monkey. I get that, I feel the same way, except I would end up at our dubious County Mental Health facility if I acted out on it."
Kempe describes HoodiePets as a "hybrid toy" and a "clothing-meets-toy" that allows kids both extreme comfort and the chance to be creative and expressive.
A "dream team" of HoodiePet representatives will be at numerous events this winter to introduce the product and to help out in local communities.
Kempe, who is originally from Sweden but lived in Germany before moving to Milwaukee in 2004, is very optimistic about the success of her product.
"I believe the HoodiePet is a very unique product in the market," she says.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
