Fashion Evolution

Recently, I subscribed to a feed of Fashion-Incubator.com. It is a fascinating site for anyone involved with, or just interested in the business of fashion. A recent post on the site was titled "Slow Fashion" which immediately drew my attention, ("slow food" is a big interest of mine and I had not heard the term applied to fashion before) It relates very strongly to the custom made business and while specifically mentioning men's fashion, I do think it's crossing over into women's. My female client tend to order more classic items than men. My male customers go for more individualistic items. (Is this just me? Has anybody else noticed this?)

Maybe it feels a little safer with the rapid changes in women's fashion from season to season, but I feel it is changing. When I was manufacturing, I noticed that a cutting edge style could have a 2+ year run. It took that time, I think, for the eye to get used to a new look. Starting on the coasts and working it's way into the center of the country, I'd run styles (as long as I could still get the leather) and do great with them. Fashion historically has always been an evolution and I feel many new ideas and silhouettes are done a great disservice nowadays by the push to change so completely every season.

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Fashion Evolution

Store is Up!!!

The shop section of the site is finally up! What a process! But I am thrilled and excited that it is up and working. The shopping cart software is a huge learning curve for me and I expect it to be a long and ongoing. I want to thank the designers, Joe and Erin of Transfuture. They've been great and very patient through whatever came up. (Especially the 5-6 weeks that Miva was refusing to let us login consistently (or at all).

I am now looking for some help with the internet marketing, running the store, keeping on top of this blog, etc. etc, etc.
A part time webmaster? Good with all the web and internet marketing techniques, from adwords, to adding feeds and content to this blog, creating a MySpace page above and beyond what is sitting up there now, some SEO ability. Coding a must, Fashion Background a Super Plus. I will pay a good commission on any sales the internet generates, including any new Custom clientele. I would love to hear from anyone interested.

Store is Up!!!

Made in USA?

I had a custom-made inquiry recently, and to my surprise, I was asked if I outsource!
I've never gotten that question before, but with all the news it had to happen eventually.

Dangerous and toxic children’s toys, medicines, toothpaste, tires, pet food, and now cars ? Not in the US (yet), and hopefully never- but there’s a fool to buy everything and worse, the giant multinationals (Chrysler and BMW) who will sell it to them. This crash test doesn't seem to have made it into the mainstream news yet... how can that be???

Anyhow… the answer to the original question is NO! We do not outsource!

In fact, when I was manufacturing I was EXPORTING! But it’s very hard to manufacture in NYC. So I’m sticking with the custom-made and only small production (to order) so I can keep everything in-house. My dream always was to establish a high-end US made clothing company and I’m gonna stick with it even at the smaller scale!

Made in USA?

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!

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Trinity Images

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.

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Angelina Jolie and leather...

If you are as into Gloves…

As I am, Dutch Artist Sylvia B.’s various takes on the Classic Opera Glove are out of this World! She’s taken an Icon of Glamour and twisted it into fabulously perverted Statements on Beauty and Fashion….

“Love-Hate”… How could you ever say it better? Or more beautifully?

Sylvia B's Amazing Gloves

I designed gloves for years and wish I’d been allowed to do something like this! These are just brilliant!

The “Almost Perfect Model” is a classic, and grab the "Unpopular Model" for when you can't stand people. It'll work like a charm...

If you are as into Gloves…

...it's only Rock n' Roll but...

Good, Bad and Ugly Python Backed Vest

…A lot of people have asked my why the men's wear shown on my site is not what's considered "wearable" or "fashionable" today.

The men's leather featured on my site right now is my most current work, all of which was created specifically as stage wear. I've done an awful lot of leather for bands and other performers including U2, Godsmack and most recently for The Lizards.

Custom made leather Carcoat

I've also done a lot of custom made for regular guys, but have not photographed much of it. I'll add men's stuff from time to time for now.

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...it's only Rock n' Roll but...

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!!!

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Intro...