|
Beyond The Flak Jacket – Bulletproof Fashions
Q&A
Patrick T Cooper explores intersection of high security and high fashion.
Do you live and die for fashion? Well, I know that line is trite. Yep, it is, but I am a fan of fashion...don't know about dying for it, though! In my time, I have met a few people that live and breathe for the latest frock or gown that struts down the runway. Flirty colors, patterns, bells and whistles are all the descriptives that make us say, “WOW!”. But hold on to your socks, you know you are in serious business when you need that bulletproof, fashionable attire! Check out my latest Q&A with designer, Miguel Caballero and his senior management team to see what I’m going on about.
PTC: Have you always been in the security business?
Julian Rubio, GM; Miguel Caballero USA: Miguel Caballero started off 17 years ago as a fashion company that later evolved into providing specialized personal protection clothing. We continually bridge style and security for our clients through each one of our designs.
PTC: When did this idea for stylish bulletproof clothing begin?
Miguel Caballero, CEO; Miguel Caballero, LTD.: During my student days attending university, one of my classmates had bodyguards. I realized that those guards usually left their body armor in the car, due to their heavy weight and the little comfort they provided, altogether risking their safety. That's where I saw the opportunity to create armor vests that were lightweight, comfortable, and discreet.
PTC: Can you name some of your celebrity clients and dignitaries that wear your garments?
Julian Rubio, GM; Miguel Caballero USA: Although there has been some speculation about who our clients are, we prefer not to disclose or confirm their identities because of the nature of our clothing and what it provides. Our clothing is meant to be discreet and this extends into the lifestyles and personalities of those who wear our product.
PTC: Can you order custom orders of your collection?
Marisha Kelly, PR Mgr; Miguel Caballero USA: All of our products are custom-tailored from sizing, style, and security level. We recognize that our clients, both male and female, have varying needs and styles. One client may require a black leather jacket in the highest level of protection while another client wants minimal protection in a polo t-shirt. It’s also extremely important for the clothing piece to fit well on the body from a security standpoint. For this, we take a series of 15 measurements to assure proper fitting of the protective panels.
We also have specific collections. Each collection is intended for a specific type of client, either a private person seeking a bulletproof t-shirt or a police officer looking for a typical armored vest. The collections offer varying styles and levels of protection based on the missions or circumstances the client may be put under.
PTC: In comparison to regular clothing, how heavy are your garments?
Marisha Kelly, PR Mgr; Miguel Caballero USA: The difference is minimal and we work with fabrics that are genuinely lightweight and flexible. The majority of the weight is carried by the ballistic panels offering protection in the front as well as the back. These panels are removable, so you can take care of the garment like you would any other piece of clothing.
An average leather jacket weighs approximately 5 pounds, where by comparison, a medium sized jacket with medium level protection from our Black line weighs approximately 5.9 pounds. To give a specific weight is hard because the weight of the garment depends on its size and the level of protection. Most of the pieces, however, weigh between 4 to 6 pounds.
PTC: How are your garments tested? I would assume most individuals would not want to be the human subject for the test.
Miguel Caballero, CEO: Behind each of our developments is a team specialized in different disciplines that subject each product to multiple tests. A product does not come out to the public until we are completely sure of its effectiveness. Here, we are protecting the lives of people. And that was precisely what prompted me to develop my idea.
Julian Rubio, General Manager; Miguel Caballero USA: Each clothing piece goes under multiple tests to assure its quality and its purpose. We also hold certification from the U.S. National Institute of Justice, which regulates standards for bullet-resistant clothing.
Patrick T Cooper has worked with a host of
famous clients, including style maven P.Diddy. Patrick will
periodically share fashion insights, tips and commentary with the BSoul
family as we celebrate all aspects of "The Beautiful Side of Soul".
You can follow Patrick at Twitter.com/PatrickTCooper and Facebook.com/PatrickTCooper.
![]()
Date Submitted: 1/19/2010 7:18 PM
Comments: 1
PostedBy: stanley
|
|
