Behrle NYC- Now CarlaDawnBehrleNYC.com

Friday, July 30, 2010

Lucy Punch in Behrle NYC Leather

Still from "Dinner with Schmucks" courtesy M.Vogt

This is the Trinity Dress, featured on Lucy Punch in "Dinner with Schmucks", in beautiful soft French patent leather. It is reversible (V front or V back) and can be custom made in various leathers and colors.

It is available individually made-to-order as shown in standard sizes.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Jack Taylor of Beverly Hills

Last night I caught a wonderful documentary on an amazing LA based, bespoke suit maker.

The documentary, by Cecile Leroy Beauleiu, follows the 60+ year history of the indomitable title character Jack Taylor, whose beautifully cut and impeccably styled, custom made suits have graced the bodies of everyone from The Duke of Windsor, Cary Grant, Robert Mitchum, Frank Sinatra, Jack Lemmon and Elvis Presley continuing right up to Jason Schwartzman today.

The man, from what I can tell, is still going strong today at 94... He is truly an inspiration. The love he puts into his work and the pure joy he gets back from it just takes my breath away!

(& here is a wonderful interview from 2002)

Thank You, Jack Taylor and Cecile Leroy Beauleiu

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Nice Work if you can get it.

My friend Karin sent me this photo of this very cute Giles Deacon bag:

( I will refrain from comment on the pants....)

& I do think the bag is even cuter in solid white.

...but it sure looks suspiciously like this plush toy by Wild Republic that's "Licensed by the Natural History Museum and approved by NHM Paleontologists." as noted on the smaller version available on Amazon. I wonder if NHM or WR will see any licensing fees should this bag go into production?

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Sunday, November 8, 2009

BehrleNYC Leather in Hollywood

I will be in the Los Angeles area from November 25th through the afternoon of December 1st. Except for the day of Thanksgiving proper. (as far as I know at this point)

I am taking this opportunity to set up appointments for Custom-Made Leather as well as made to order leather pieces. I will be staying in Hollywood, nearby the Walk of Fame and Grauman's.

I will meet with you to discuss your project & take measurements. Once design is finalized, most projects can be completed through the mail via muslin fittings and photos that I go over step by step with you to so the finished garment is absolutely the perfect piece, with the perfect fit.

I am looking forward to meeting both new and prospective customers, stylists, etc. during this time and will be setting aside as much time as possible to do so. From unique jeans and jackets, to luxuriously detailed outerwear to extravagant Evening and Stage wear. Unique and couture treatments, from finely detailed and beautifully finished traditional leather handwork to exclusive and unique fabrics created with leathers and textiles. These are my specialties.

custom made leather jacket for Anastacia

custom made leather pants for Sarah Michelle Gellar

custom made pieced leather pants and Freeform Top

Please contact me at behrlenyc (at) gmail (dot) com. Before November 23rd, If you would like to arrange a meeting.

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Sunday, October 4, 2009

What drugs were they on?

When they came up with the idea that Lindsay Lohan could/should be the Creative Director at Ungaro?

Who, really, actually believed this would work?

...with a whole line of leggings under her belt? (I don't like to be catty, but really...sad)

& I have noticed they have recently updated the leggings website, with slightly better teeny-tiny leggings pictures, but still crappy looking "enlargements" of details.

But... what's with the Marilyn Monroe fixation??? A gigantic insult to Marilyn, who did exhibit both talent and taste in her public life. Yes, I get the drug-addled comparisons they allude to, but please...

I seriously do not get the reference to Marilyn on leggings with quilted leather knee patches. But I would really like to know who set up this deal for her. Imagine what they could do if they actually had some talent to work with!

The whole thing is fascinating but really, really depressing for the Fashion Industry everywhere...

Thursday, April 17, 2008

He'll take Dubai

I got a good belly laugh this morning when I saw this article on Derek Khan, former stylist/ jewel thief to the "Stars", in the style section of the NYT! Ha! Very funny, PT Barnum was never so right!

I had the bizarre experience of working with this guy when he was working with Lauryn Hill. I could say I was lucky to not have been ripped off by him. But come on, when a stylist (or anybody for that matter) goes on and on about how (insert boldfaced name here) pays them $10,000.00 plus a day and flies them around for personals etc., and in the next sentence complains that what they want so desperately to purchase from you is too expensive... is that not a tip-off?

It was odd- I was introduced to Lauryn Hill and went to her home for fittings, and couldn't figure out why they were working with Derek. She and all the people I met were exceedingly genuine, nice and all very,very serious about their work, no BS here. Derek Khan, while he can be charming and all, is a consummate and frankly bald faced bullshitter. I kinda had him figured as cheap entertainment. How could you not take this guy with a massive mountain of salt?

Seems they had no patience with him either since almost immediately Derek was out of the picture & the next I hear of him is the jewelery debacle. Laughed then too.

Dubai can have him and Hof Jewellery is likely being taken for a ride, have fun! Wait- don't they do lashing, cut off hands and other hardcore punishment in that country? Maybe it'll work.

Damn!

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----------------
Now playing: New Order - World in Motion
via FoxyTunes

lousy Polaroid courtesy of Derek Khan!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Slum Lady Jane-Fashion Icon

I love to hear how “Baby” Jane Holzer is such an Icon of Fashion.
This from WWD;

Oh, Baby!
Baby Jane Holzer, that is. She was one of the inspirations for John Galliano's very pretty fall collection for Christian Dior, which skillfully mixed glamour and restraint. The big hair and ladylike accessories were all part of the fun. Here, a look that would have delighted Holzer in the Sixties, a flared fur coat,
worn with short leather gloves and a top-handle bag.

She was also one of the worst slumlords of the Lower East Side, pre- gentrification. I know, I lived in one of her buildings. Where, on the first of every month the “managing agent” this skeevy, little, gimpy guy named Jesse, along with a big, (I mean huge!) “maintenance” guy, would come through the building knocking on doors to collect the rent - with Baseball Bats!

One night I left the building, which had a permanently installed dealer, that no amount of tenant & police complaints could dislodge, (he was useful, kept in place to keep turnover high) at Norfolk and Stanton, to go visit a friend uptown. A taxi that was driving past on Stanton did the sharpest K turn ever to meet me as I walked to the corner and the driver stuck his head out the window... “Get In, I’ll take you where ever you need to go- no charge, you shouldn’t be walking around here.” He was a young white guy and knew the building I’d come out of, which was why he stopped. Turned out he’d lived with his girlfriend a few blocks further East in another Holzer drug building. They’d come home from a matinee one afternoon only to see a 12 year old neighbor’s brains get blown out right in front of them - in the middle of the afternoon!

They’d begged Baby Jane (who still wore her hair in the above pictured bouffant, rather un-successfully, I might add) to move them into one of her “nice” i.e.: dealer free buildings, above Houston. (In my in building we'd all been paying illegally inflated rents & eventually went on rent strike) But, No Go. They were afraid for their lives! A kid had been murdered 2 feet away from them! They were only able to get a relocation after they’d threatened to go public with her slum lady lord activities below Houston. Did the trick!
Such a Fashion Icon....

Monday, February 25, 2008

Two cents...!

Had fun watching the Oscars, but I can't believe how quickly those who didn't tow the line and dress according to some PR/media flak/company marketing plan got Trashed. Come on!
Marion Cotillard looked amazing! I just don't get the petty, meanness of some of the comments I read. And god forbid if you dress to highlight your own tastes and personality. I LOVED what Diablo Cody wore, it suited her perfectly and the earrings were kick-ass. Yes, the slit should've been closed off some so she wasn't nervously checking it when she went on up stage, but cheeky underwear would've worked too!
Tilda's dress was intriguing, and I got why she picked it. It worked in theory, not in practice. It was a difficult dress. and it looked she had to keep her right arm permanently bent at the elbow....(or what, I wonder?) She has an amazing face, her skin is astoundingly beautiful, and I loved that she appeared barren of make-up. The dress did highlight this, which may have been the point. So, Go Tilda!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Top 10 on Oprah-Laser Cut Leather for Spring

Thanks to Jackie, for letting me know that a laser cut leather skirt is on Oprah’s short list of must have items for Spring. The skirt featured is a pretty bell shaped gored skirt of a simple laser lace pattern...I was flummoxed in my attempts to find any credits on Oprah’s website. I have a feeling it may have been over-budget for the feature. Laser cut leather, in a good quality, does cost.

I’ve worked a great deal in laser cut leathers, some that leave no way to sew in any traditional fashion due to so much open area- like this suit to the right. Instead they have to be worked more like fine lace or net. I’ve created various techniques to deal with this and retain a perfectly clean finished garment. (I also line all the very sheer lasers with silk chiffon, the pieces shown were unlined for editorial purposes.)

These techniques, in & of themselves add to the cost of working with laser cut leather. Also the detailing of the pattern can affect the price of the skin as very detailed patterns take much more time under the laser to complete. I don’t even want to think of what’s involved in creating the digital artwork required for such patterns!

A good European laser cut uses primo skins since whatever is left after cutting must withstand some stress and not rip easily. I know they are replicating some of these laces in Asia and other countries, but they tend to be incredibly easy to rip, since the skins used are just not the quality needed.

I hope as my business grows, I can do my own laser cutting one day, in- house. It will allow me the opportunity to really get creative with the process and do a lot of different things that could otherwise be done only in a massive manufacturing situation.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

East West Musical Instrument Co.

Fashion Incubator, over the last week posted two items about the East West Musical Instrument Company. These jackets were out of this world as far as design and craftsmanship. The HEIGHT of 1970’s art leather. Some fabulous photos and references and other info are included on F-I.
I knew very little about East West beyond having been handed an original years ago and asked to do a version if it. After which I met a guy who told me he sold the originals, and gave me the little bit of info I’d had on the line till now. I’ve only seen two of these original jackets in person and boy, are they AMAZING.
Here's a pix of an original. And here is my version, circa 1995- hope it stands up!

A few years later I was asked to recreate it again- this time for Victoria's Secret.

This is what the final result was...

A lot different!

Literally, two days before the shoot (video for TV catalog, stills, the whole nine yards) the concept suddenly changed, from "Barbarella as a Vargas Girl" to " Apollo 13". Thank god the linings weren't in yet. We wound up re-cutting and re-constructing 5 jackets in under 48 hours! (then they lost a girl!) You can just barely see the wing details on the sleeves, and of course the wings on the back stayed, but we lost the fronts & had to kill the original collar, add cuffs and tailored waistbands and little hand painted name plates.
so Very NASA...

Friday, November 16, 2007

Divas in Leather

It's so funny- on I Tunes e-mail today they are featuring 3 of the powerful female artists I have designed for. Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys (who was like 16 the first time I worked with her!) and Jill Scott! 3 ladies with great chops and style...

Left- Alica Keys in Behrle NYC (InStyle Magazine) Above- MJB in Behrle NYC (Us Magazine)

I wish I had some images of the of the skirt and jacket I made for Jill Scott for her Grammy awards performance, she was very cool to work with...

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Whatever Happened to...?

Every so often I have to track down what has happened with various jobs or editorials. Were the pieces I made used? Photographed? Or left on the cutting room floor as it were?
Last summer I did two pairs of leather pants for a film starring Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Patrica Field, the costume designer called me because we've worked together a lot (love Pat!) and I had also done other work for SMG, mainly, a pretty well seen "Vampirilla"costume.
The film was was a great commission, & the pants were supposed to be a plot point! Alas, I missed the US opening. (2 whole screenings at the Tribeca Film Festival in April!) This month it's opening in New Zealand - then in January, it's straight to video!... Phooey.

In any case.....

Next up. Thank You! Tommaso, for the fabulous pix of the jacket & hat commissioned by Rolex for their newest add campaign. I am very excited to see the final results!

It's all good...

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Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Trinity Images

Some pix from my "Trinity" line which featured a lot of very fine hand cut work and laser cut leathers as well as hand-painted suede as well as my own stretch leather and silk leather "cloth" which makes the leather fit like dance-wear, or renders it soft and flowing and about as light as silk. Both the stretch-leather and the silk-leather are available custom made. I did a bunch of stretch leather for the Dixie Chicks a while back, all black patent leather- HOT!

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Angelina Jolie and leather...

Angelina Jolie in Behrle Leather as seen in Movieline Magazine

One Girl to another pouring over the (pawed up) gossip mags at my Local Duane Reade:“oooohh! She really is having a baby…”
Ok, I don’t get the fascination, really … but if Angelina Jolie (or anyone) is having a baby, I have got the perfect baby gift!

Just added to the group of items we will be selling in our store, is the cutest baby bib ever in two styles “Sweetheart” and “Superstar”

Both Bibs are made in the Finest Italian Lambskin and lined with black cotton jersey, they feature metallic leather inlay work and contrast leather trim. They are one size and can both be wiped clean easily with a damp cloth (no dry cleaning on metallic leathers) They are $85.00 Each. And we can do special order colors and inlay for an additional charge.

I am offering them here, first. Or you can go to Etsy until my own store is up and running. Each piece is made to order so once your order is confirmed , please allow 5-7 business days for shipping.

Friday, April 6, 2007

Intro...

Behrle Leather as seen in German Max

I am going to take this opportunity to introduce myself.

My name is Carla Dawn Behrle, my last name is pronounced “burly”.
Behrle, to my understanding means “ little bear” in German. I do want you to know how to pronounce my name right and remember how to spell it. And yes, I am German, which nicely leads us back into leather…

I am a fashion designer who specializes in leather- specifically leather clothing and accessories.

My work as a theatrical costume designer introduced me to Leather. I decided to make it my specialty because it really spoke to me the first time I worked with it- it has attributes that are unique only to it, and that no other textile - natural or synthetic, can match.

Leather molds to the body, it breathes, it ages, it wears and breaks in, and at every stage it retains it beauty and character while taking on the character imparted by the wearer. It can be strong and protective, or as delicate as lace.

Being such a specialized material it soon led me to work in Fashion. I will always do stage and performance wear, though because It's my first love.

My initial foray into designing and selling my own work in leather was my line World Domination. Since I started with very little, out of necessity the garments were kinda small.

The line grew and evolved and eventually I put my own name on the label.

Now, I was selling to specialty boutiques around the world. Keeping distribution small, and the quality very high. All the work was done in house, right alongside my custom made work, which is created in the same fashion as European Haute Couture.

For five years I had a retail store in Tribeca, which was great fun and my customers were the absolute best! We were quite close to the WTC, so After September 11th, I closed down the shop.

Since then, I’ve been concentrating on my custom design work and I am thrilled to be taking this next step forward.

I am really excited about the site and this forum. They are both a completely new thing for me and I look forward to what's next.

I do have to say that I pride myself on my work being among the best leather work in the USA, if not the world. I work very, very hard at the quality of everything I produce, whether it is a unique custom made garment or a production item. (I am looking forward to getting back into production soon.)

I appreciate any comments or questions, particularly regarding Design and Fashion…

Ciao!!!