March 16th & 17th was the first Münchener Trachtentage and I am very proud to say that I was one of the Ausstellers (exhibitors) at the event! Everyone who came to visit the booth was very surprised to see an American there... selling dirndls. "But Erika Neumayer is such a German name!" They were really impressed by the designs and the fact that Americans also embrace the traditional dress of Bavaria.
The Rare Dirndl booth at the Münchener Trachtentage
The venue was really fabulous! The MVG Museum is usually a street car museum, but during those two days it was transformed into a "everything tracht" extravaganza. The ambiance of vintage street cars and the industrial look of the building really added to the atmosphere and created an old meets new feeling, much like many of the dirndl designs.
The Biergarten within the Trachtentage!
Many of the other exhibitors were also excited to learn that there was a market in the US for dirndls and that I was taking that bull by the horns. I met so many great people and got to meet many of the German designers that I have been looking up to for years!
The fashion show was, hands down, the most exciting part of the weekend for me. In Chicago, there are not many (or any) opportunities for me to participate in professional fashion shows... so seeing my work walk down the runway was exhilarating and (this may sound silly) but I felt like a real designer! The bright colors and fun prints looked great on the runway and the crowd responded well to the pieces.
Although our sales consisted mostly of lederhosen bracelets, the experience was worth the trip! The German dirndl market is worlds apart from the American market, but now I can say that I've dabbled in both. I can't wait to see what the next few months bring and I'm most excited to apply what I've learned to my designs, collections and business.
The Rare Dirndl Team!
Check out some of the sites from some of the other exhibitors that I love! I've starting working together with some of them and can't wait to see what the future will bring. Also check out the full trachtentage photo album on the Rare Dirndl Facebook page.
Officially only 2 weeks away from the Rare Dirndl Debut in Munich at the 1st Münchener Trachtentage and I'm putting together a list of what to pack and there are 4 accessories I know I have to bring to go with my dirndl. Wouldn't go without them!
1: Jewelry
My sister is currently obsessed with bracelets and for good reason; a fabulous bracelet is the perfect accessory for any outfit, including a dirndl. My fav at the moment is my DAVI bracelets. They are simple in design, but kickass in its use of stones, leather and beads. These little accessories bring a hard rocker edge to the flirty-ness of a dirndl, like with the Wicked Garden Dirndl!
2: Scarf
If your anything like me, during this time of year, I am always cold! However as long as my feet and chest are warm, I'm alright. Thats why my next must have is a scarf, but not just any scarf. I am loving the Alpenkult Trachten Loop! Using some traditional dirndl fabrics and some modern its the perfect way to keep warm and add to your dirndl look. Although the company is based in Austria, now worries... they ship to the US! My fav is the "Siberkuh". Paired with the Black Hole Sun dirndl... Perfection!
3: Purse
All Rare Dirndls have a pocket, which is sooooo great for the little things you carry around all the time, but some things are just too big! Thats where your purse comes in and there are two styles that are must haves. 1st is the Rare Lederhosen Purse. This bag is an instant attention grabber and just too cute to pass up! Its big enough to hold whatever you might need and then some and accents the German look perfectly.
2nd is Trachten Purse from Bergland Trachten. I choose this one because its small and has a shoulder strap. Perfect for festivals where your dancing, having it over your shoulder frees up your hands and its size forces you to only take what you really really need, so your not weighed down.
4: SHOES!
Unless your at the beach in your dirndl, your gunna need some shoesies! At the moment, I'm obsessed with my TOMS wedges. These are so comfortable and super easy to walk in. One word... LOVE. Mine are black, but at the moment they only have the chestnut color available. However, thats also a fab color for dirndls! I'm sure there are also other shoe brands that carry a similar style, but I'm telling ya... they are a great dirndl shoe!
So there you have it, the 4 things I know I'm going to be packing to take with me to Germany for the Münchener Trachtentage!
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This month is flying by and our trip to Germany is right around the corner! I've been working like crazy to get everything ready for the big debut of Rare Dirndl in Germany at the Münchener Trachtentage March 16 and 17!
One of the items I knew I had to bring back is the Lederhosen purses! As of early this week I'm all stocked up with all three of the styles we had around the holidays as well as the newest addition, the clutch!
All of the bags are made from genuine goat skin leather, fully lined and up-cycled from old pairs of un-worn lederhosen.
Along the same lines... I'm very excited to meet with the folks from Herzhirsch! They have got an über cute product that I absolutely love, the Hirschbandl! Its perfect for family gatherings when everyone has a beer stein and then 10 minutes later you don't know who's glass is who's. Each is handmade in Munich from traditional tanned deerskin and is such a fabulous way to make sure you don't drink any of ol' cousin Stefan's backwash! I'm pretty sure that each member of my family is going to need one of these.
T minus 26 days until the Rare Dirndl team boards a plane for Bavaria!
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Many people refer to my work as costume. I much prefer "fashion forward traditional dress" but if it helps people understand what I create then go for it. But this past weekend... I did show off some costumes!
Fasnacht in Basel
Every year, the Rheinischer Verein Chicago, or Chicago Mardi Gras Society puts together an event called Fasching. What is Fasching? or Karneval, Fastnacht, Fasnacht, Fastelabend? They are all the same thing... the pre-Lenten festivies celebrated by the predominantly catholic regions of the German-speaking countries. The Rheinland has it's Karneval... Austria, Bavaria, and Berlin call it Fasching, and the German-Swiss celebrate Fastnacht. My boyfriend's Dad is from Basel, Switzerland and every year he goes back for a month to prepare and celebrate Fasnacht! Big costumes, large floats, parades and partying... its a fun time of year!
In Chicago, we also dress up in costume and the Rheinischer Verein Fanfarhen play music, the Amanzonen dance and the Prince and Princess watch from the stage. There is also the costume contest. This year I worked together with a few of my girlfriends to go after the always coveted 1st place prize for the group costume. We went as Dia de los muertos, Day of the Dead, sugar skulls. I made all the skirts for the girls and they got their own bodices and hair pieces. We all worked on our makeup together... but Erik Lisauskas and his amazing airbrushing skills really added the extra punch of amazing to our makeup. In the end, we WON! We had all been working so hard on the outfits and makeup and it was all worth it!
I had part of designing other fabulous costumes, like the 3 blind mice and PacMan! Although they didn't win, its really all about having fun with family and friends! Thanks Rheinischer Verein for another amazing Fasching!
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Sometimes my clients have ideas in their heads about the ultimate dirndl. I'm just the person to help them with that! I can take ideas, inspirations and color stories and turn them into real life one-of-a-kind pieces. But how does it work? What is involved? Lets start from the beginning using Rachel's Dirndl as an example.
It all started when she asked if I could do a ballerina-inspired dirndl with pastel colors and tulle. She didn't want it to be too poofy or "toddlers and tiaras" but tulle was definitely something she wanted. She liked the idea of using pink and off-white, so I put together a sketch for her that would be a rough draft of what it might look like. Once she approved it, it was off to the fabric store.
Instead of using baby pink, I used blush... a color that is not only very in, but also a more grown-up version of pink. I also picked out a tone-on-tone champagne satin damask fabric that would be a great compliment to the blush color.
She said she wanted a lace up front, but I could tell she was looking for more than that. I wanted to make sure that this piece oozed elegance and
poise like a ballerina, so I found a beautiful pink pearl and pewter beaded trim that I thought would be the perfect accent to the colors and look of the dirndl. Once the fabrics were picked out and approved, I got her measurements and made a pattern in her size and got ready to cut!
After cutting out all the pieces for the dirndl I used left over fabric from the bodice and used the wrong side to make a slight contrasting piping. I make all my own piping, especially for custom pieces because it really brings the whole piece together. Then its time to sew it all up.
Creating volume for the skirt was important for this ballerina piece and so I used white tulle attached to an underskirt as well as a small layer of white and pink at the bottom that would pop out just a tad giving the illusion of a tutu.
Once the volume on the skirt was created I added the bodice, zipper and finished the hem. Now it was time for the handwork. The beading was attached by hand because A.) it wasn't going to fit under the foot of the machine and B.) the final outcome can be much more precise and effortless. The more effort I put into a dirndl, the more effortless it looks. Nothing is worse than a design that looks tortured!
The hooks were added last and then it was time to add the apron and blouse and voila! A completely one-of-a-kind piece just for Rachel!
Do you have an idea in your head? Maybe a custom piece is right for you! Custom pieces are charge by the hours it takes to complete and the cost of the fabrics. Can't wait to see what my next client will request.
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The original Hofbräuhaus in Munich has an extensive history dating back to 1589! As one of the most popular tourist attractions in Germany, the current structure that was built in 1897 was the model for the newest Chicagoland attraction... the Hofbäuhaus Chicago-Rosemont!
Front of the Hofbräuhaus Chicago-Rosemont
Last night was the first official opening! It was buzzing with excitement and the beer was flowing. With all the beers brewed on site, the massive amount of seating and the live band, it is sure to be a great success. I met up with a lot of great prominent German/Americans from Chicago as well as many local people who came to experience a taste of Munich for themselves.
Beer is brewed on site!
I personally am partial to smaller local places, but I must admit... it was a great time and I look forward to going back!
Rare Dirndls making a statement at the Hofbräuhaus Chicago!
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One of the most common questions I recieve is "do you ever make anything for children?" I don't typically make children's clothing because creating fabulous little things usually comes with an unfabulous price and I can totally understand why a parent would not want to spend $120-$200 on a dirndl that may not fit in... 4 months!
But I have a few things that I love and work perfect for our favorite little ones! The children's fleece is so soft, 100% washable and perfect for a chilly spring day. It is a fun bright blue color with a splash of either pink or red down the front with the adorable edelweiss flowers on the trimming. The best thing about the fleeces are that they have a looser fit so your little cutie patootie can get more wear out of it.
Another fabulous little item I've made is the black edelweiss beret! Designed for a petite head, this little hat is too cute for words. Perfect for a snowy day or a spring day at the park.
Black Edelweiss Beret
There is always the custom option for a Rare Children's dirndl or trachtenshirt, but if your budget doesn't budge too much (like mine) I still have a couple fun items for your favorite little lovelies!
Custom made Trachtenshirts
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