Behind the Scenes
The Very Exciting and Official Backstory of Rare Dirndl
2020 marked the 10 year anniversary of the creation of Rare Dirndl and as its founder, I, Erika Neumayer Ehrat was really proud, to hit that milestone. But, I might be even more proud to say that we’re still here after 2020! Since the start of Rare Dirndl in 2010, a lot has changed while much has also stayed the same.
Kinderlieder: German Kids Songs to Help Learn German at Home
If you are a parent of small children, then you probably have had one of these songs stuck in your head for hours… if not days (ask me how I know zis)
- Sesame Street: “The Letter of the Day”
- Intro song to Paw Patrol
- Bubble Guppies: “It’s time for lunch”
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: “Hot Dog Song”
This post isn’t going to necessarily rid your mind of these unfortunately catchy tunes, but at least it’ll bring in a little more variety.
My African Print Dirndl Dress: Cultural Appropriation, Pride & Respect
So I designed a dirndl. I called it the Ghana Dirndl because it was inspired by my trip to Ghana, West Africa. I made it because A: I think Ghanaian fabrics are gorgeous B: I design and sell dirndls for a living and C: I like to encourage people to learn and think about cultures other than their own… but mostly A. I found a printed fabric in a Kente cloth pattern to use for the bodice, black skirt, and in an effort to channel my inner African woman who can combine prints like no other, I used another wax print for the apron ties and green chiffon for the apron. It was perfect! Edgy, elegant, fun, flirty… all the things I love about a great dirndl!
Vintage to Modern: Steff's Custom Dirndl UpCycle Project
A few months back, a customer of mine, Steff asked me if there was any way to use her mother's dirndl to make a dirndl that is more modern? My answer of course was YES! It would be like making a custom dirndl, but instead of using fabric from the store, I would be using that fabric from her mothers old dirndl.
When I saw this, I almost screamed! Rare Dirndl are ALWAYS made in the USA!
Well…. last week, it was brought to my attention by Debra from Trachten-Quelle in Canada, that there is a Rare Dirndl Impostor out there!
Ask the Dirndl Designer! - 5 Most Common Questions!
This past weekend was one of Chicago's most beloved street festivals, the Maifest in Lincoln Square. I also had the Rare Dirndl Design Studio doors open for anyone who wanted to stop by and shop! It was a lot of fun and as usual… when people find out that I design a line of fashion forward dirndls for a living, the questions start rolling!
At 3 Years Old - Is This the Dirndl that Started It All?!
For many women, what they wore can bring back memories just as strongly as taste and sound. For my Grandma… in order for her to fully remember an event, I always need to describe what I was wearing. This week, I am taking a trip back in time to remember a little bit about my childhood as it relates to my first dirndl memories.
Finally an Off-the-Shoulder Blouse that STAYS Off-the-shoulder!
Back in 2010, when I started Rare Dirndl, I knew I had to do 3 things: make an all Leopard Print Dirndl (check), create a couture Dirndl gown to create buzz (check), and design an Off-the-Shoulder Blouse that actually stays off-the-shoulder. A wonderful woman from Germany taught me a few things about sewing dirndls and she made me an off-the-shoulder blouse, but I hardly wore it because every time I moved my arms… it would pop-up onto my shoulder, dig into my armpit and I was constantly futsing with it. It was annoying, but I loved the look.