Setting The Trend With House Of Caballero's High-calibre Gear

The Age

Tuesday January 17, 2006

JO TUCKMAN, MEXICO CITY

Fashion at the "Armani of bulletproof clothing" is not about being dressed to kill, but to survive.

MIGUEL CABALLERO likes to shoot people whenever he has an audience and a volunteer.

He demonstrates: the range was point-blank, the bang loud, and the smell of burned powder strong, but the human target did not flinch. The bullet was embedded in an internal protective panel of his brand-new suede jacket.

"We mix trends and security," Mr Caballero beamed. "There are more than 1000 companies in the world who make bulletproof jackets, but only we make high-security fashion."

Having started his company 13 years ago in Colombia, the "Armani of bulletproof clothing" is now selling garments from his collection in much of Latin America and beginning to expand beyond.

Mr Caballero's client list includes Venezuela's flamboyant left-wing President, Hugo Chavez, who regularly dons a red Guayabera shirt, designed to withstand attack by anything up to an Uzi submachine-gun.

Last week the company received an order from Mr Chavez's cabinet for 50 items, ranging from cotton vests to raincoats.

Bulletproof vests, trench coats, suits and denim casuals can be spotted on a bevy of Guatemalan politicians, while the heir to the Spanish throne and his wife own matching green-quilted hunting jackets.

The real potential for sales growth, says Mr Caballero, lies in capturing the trust of your garden variety wealthy businessman who feels vulnerable.

This is why the company is now focusing on Mexico, where the elite is increasingly concerned about kidnapping.

Last year, local anti-crime activists announced that Mexico had overtaken Colombia at the top of the world abduction league, and that gangs were becoming more likely to kill or maim their victims.

"People don't trust the authorities in Mexico," says Emma Campos-Redman, an analyst from the London-based security consultants Control Risks.

"It's clear that both locals and foreigners are increasing their investment in security measures."

A local industry offering everything from the installation of panic rooms to round-the-clock bodyguards in armoured cars has grown rapidly.

Mr Caballero believes that bulletproof formal and casual wear could become an essential part of these private security systems.

The made-to-measure garments can cost several thousand dollars.

The most expensive, from the Platinum Line, promise protection from handguns or semi-automatic weapons. Similar defence against assault rifles, such as the AK47, requires heavier armouring leaving less room for aesthetics.

Mr Caballero points out, however, that such hard-to-conceal weapons are not usually used by common criminals or assassins.

He now boasts sales representatives in much of Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in Iraq, Turkey and Hungary. He also muses about entering the British market.

"We identify a problem - we identify a market," he said.

Mr Caballero already has a range of knifeproof underwear, originally designed with prison wardens in mind. He thinks they could become all the rage.

LINK www.miguelcaballero.com

© 2006 The Age

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