German Fest Secrets Revealed!

German Fest Milwaukee is just around the corner and we've got 3 secrets about the weekend you may not know. Long time German Fest goer, southern Wisconsin resident, and fellow Erika, Erika Hutz told me about a few fun things that even I didn't know about!

#1) Niche Schnapps' Garden: NEW for this year, located just south of the Main Gate, the Schnapps' Garden Bar will be serving the official German Fest spirits, as well as traditional German Spirit Specialties from some of Germany's oldest and renowned distillers. There you can enjoy some shelter from the sun, while drinking and sampling some great schnapps. 

#2) For the non-beer drinkers: There are a variety of Schlink Haus wines served at select bars. And for kids and those looking for something non-alcholic there is the award winning Sprecher Root Beer that is brewed locally in Milwaukee! 

#3) 8th Annual Dachshund Derby: "Every year it gets bigger and bigger and lately, people have started training their dogs for the race," says the coordinator of the races. It is such a fun event that is super family friendly and is a nice change of pace from the rest of the events. Also not to miss is the Wiener Dog Costume Contest. Maybe Rare Dirndl should enter into the contest... if only we had a wiener dog!

Got other tips and tricks for the weekend? Comment below so we can share with everyone on facebook and via e-mail!

Also, don't forget to visit the Rare Dirndl pop-up boutique at the south corner of the Marketplatz!

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Um... My Dirndl Doesn't Fit! Now What?

As seasons change, sometimes our bodies change to. So, what happens when you try your dirndl on before a summer picnic and... o jeeze... it doesn't fit! Luckily, most dirndls (including all Rare Dirndls) are easy to alter. Let me show you how!

The first step is to open up both the side seam and the area around that seam that connects to the skirt. These are usually the only seams that need to be altered.

grab that ripper!

Sew up the side seam to make it either bigger or smaller, whichever you need.

just a bit of sewing

Re-pleat the skirt so it fits the new waist size. Make sure the pleat is going in the same direction as the others. Then sew up the waist seam. 

pleat the skirt

Last but not least, you'll want to press your new side seam open to make it look professional.

press like a pro

Tada! Nothing's better than a great fitting dirndl.

Don't have a sewing machine or simply don't want to sew, no problem! Since it's a relatively easy fix, any dry cleaner who employs a professional tailor can alter your dirndl for you. But now you know how... juuust in case!

I'd be honored if you would help spread the word about Rare Dirndl and tell your friends and family that might be interested in being fresh, modern and edgy in their dirndl!

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here  

It's That Time of Year Again: Photo Shoot Time!!

It's that time of year again... Photo Shoot Time!! This is one of my favorite things because I get to see my vision come to life. For months, I work to create designs with an inspiration. So when it comes to adding hair, makeup, background and accessories, I finally feel like my vision for the collection comes to life. It's a very rewarding part of my job as the designer.

For Fall/Winter 2013 it all started with poetry by Edgar Allen Poe. The feelings that his work brings out and the era in which he lived were the inspiration for the collection. This is not only the inspiration for the dirndls and menswear, but also the hair, make-up and backdrop.

The models hair style and make-up could make or break the look. Keeping a fresh and modern look while staying with the inspiration is key. So for F/W 2012 with the 90s Grunge theme we went with a "day old" make-up and "slept-on" hair look.

Futzing around to get the shot is always something that happens, especially when we shoot outside. The elements are always fun to deal with, but that's why we have a team (small team that is) to help get the picture we need to make the dirndls look their best!

There's lots more that goes on behind the scenes at the photo shoots. To see more, check out the video from Spring/Summer 2013 and follow us on Facebook to see pictures this weekend while we shoot Fall/Winter 2013!

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
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The Newest Addition!

Introducing the In Bloom Vest!!!

I'm beyond excited about this news! There is a new addition to the In Bloom family... the In Bloom Vest! It is a black vest with black lace overlay, just like the In Bloom Dirndl, but instead of a lace skirt, it has a fashionable peplum. This vest with intricate edelweiss buttons is just as versatile as its dirndl counterpart. Mix and match this vest with the semi-circle skirts, blouses and aprons to create one-of-a-kind looks that fit your personality and mood!

Right off the bat, here are 3 ways you could wear the New In Bloom Vest:

With a Skirt and Scarf!

Paired with the silver Semi-circle Skirt, Sparkle Organza Blouse, and new 

summer scarf with spikes, the In Bloom Vest is a perfect fit for any occasion!

Simple and Classic

With the brown flannel Semi-Circle Skirt, Scoop-neck Blouse with 

Lace-strip Sleeves and custom chiffon apron, the In Bloom Vest transforms 

these pieces into a simple and classic German look.

Support Your Team

Support you favorite team with a custom apron and pair it with 

a matching color Off-the-Shoulder Blouse and Semi-circle Skirt!

So I've given myself a challenge... can I wear this vest every day for 1 week, but never repeating anything else but the vest? Challenge Accepted! I will be posting all the ways I come up with to wear the In Bloom Vest all this week on Facebook, Instragram and Twitter!


If you have any questions about the In Bloom family or are looking for custom aprons to match skirts you already have, give me a call or shoot me an e-mail. I can't wait to hear from you!

Sample Sale Explained!

Tomorrow is the first day of the Maifest Sample Sale and I've already had a few questions that keep popping up. So lets answer them!

Q: "Can I buy the samples online? / Will the Sale be online as well?"
A: Unfortunately the samples will not be available online and here is why...

Q: "What is a sample?"
A: A sample is the first dirndl style made for a collection. When I designed S/S 2013 I made 8 new pieces. Those pieces are the samples. They are used as guides during production, for photo shoots, fashion shows, advertising, promotional events and window displays. I typically make a size 4, but I have some samples that are a 6 and 12.

My sister and I wearing some samples to promote the F/W 2012 Collection at the AAS Schlachtfest

I can't sell them at their reduced price online for a few reasons.
       1) Some of the samples have some wear-and-tear to them. I don't want you to buy it online and then not be happy with certain aspects of the dirndl that are imperfect.
       2) Some of the samples have been altered to fit models. For promotional events when I have models wear the dirndls, sometimes the samples need to be taken in or out in order to fit them.
       3) A lot of the samples are dirndls that are discontinued. The dirndls are not even on the website at the moment because they are discontinued and no longer available.

I Love Lucy Sample Dirndl being worn during a fashion show

Q: "I don't live in Chicago, does that mean I can't take advantage of the sale? I really wanted a dirndl"
A: There will be an online promotion announced later today, but if you are a size 4-8 and you are interested in a sample dirndl, shoot me an e-mail (erika@erikaneumayer.com) or give me a call (312-806-5099) And you can order one of them over the phone. This way I can talk to you about the specific details of the sample, the wear-and-tear, any spots, sun damage, fit issues, etc.

Still have questions? Shoot me an email or give me a ring-a-ling! I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. Happy Maifesting!

Let's Hear it for the Boys!

In Detail: Menswear

Turquoise Plaid Trachtenhemd

After my first 2 collections were released, the most commonly asked questions was, "are you going to design men's clothes too?" So in 2011, I started making menswear... primarily trachtenhemden, or traditionally inspired shirts. Lets dive right in and see how a shirt comes together.

One of the things about men's shirts that's funny, is that it takes just as much fabric to make a man's shirt (if not more) as it does to make a dirndl. The difference is the time it takes to sew. Men's shirts take approximately 1.75 yards of fabric, more if it's a plaid. Plaids need to be placed very strategically in order to create the right look so the stripes line up and match! Sometimes, I incorporate two fabrics to create a very unique look that has a bit of contrast to it, like the black accents on the Turquoise Plaid Trachtenhemd.

Laying out the pattern for a new shirt

Then its time to add the fusible interfacing. Fusible is a reinforcement fabric that is fused or melted to the shirt fabric. It makes it stiffer and more durable. The fusible is added to areas of the shirt that need more structure like the collar and under collar as well as places where there are buttons, like the pockets, center front, and cuffs.

Then its time to sew it up! Some of the details in my menswear, like the roll up sleeves, front button flaps or shoulder accents are what take extra time and make Rare Menswear special. Its also about the design. When designing a menswear piece I always keep in mind certain things that I know my customer is looking for. What does the average American tracht-wearing man want in a shirt? Comfort, ease, tradition and individuality.

Almost finished sewing a new sample

I am very aware that my menswear is expensive, but there are details in them that you simply won't find on other trachtenshirts. I'm most proud of the fact that while they are indeed trachtenshirts, sporting edelweiss buttons, traditional embroideries and classic cuts, they are completely wearable outside of an Oktoberfest. Most of my shirts wouldn't look out of place at a concert, cousin Stefan's birthday or out running errands.

Designing Trachten menswear can be a challenge, but it pushes me to think more creatively. I'm also very proud to say that at the Münchener Trachtentage, Rare Dirndl, hands down, had the most interesting menswear.

Thats all folks... If you are interested in seeing all my menswear designs, click here and see what I've got!

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
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German Life: Dirndls on Demand

Have you seen the April/May 2013 issue of German Life Magazine? German Life, "a bi-monthly magazine written for all interested in the diversity of German culture, past and preset, and in the various ways the North America has been shaped by its German element", featured Rare Dirndl in the article "Dirndls on Demand"!

Mark Meier's article about Dirndls made in the USA features both traditional style dirndls using imported German fabrics by Bergland Trachten and Rare Dirndls... pushing the boundaries and creating high fashion dirndls!

The article features images from the Spring/Summer 2013 Down the Rabbit Hole Collection as well as pictures of me working in the my studio! I'm beyond honored to be quoted in the article and be referenced as America's haute-couture dirndl designer!

Check out the article for yourself on the German Life website or get a subscription for yourself! Its a great magazine that I always look forward to reading!

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here