Rare Dirndl Stories & Customer Spotlights
One-of-a-Kind Dirndls for a One-of-a-Kind Gal: That’s Vicki!
Hello Everyone, I am Victoria Schwager from the Detroit Donauschwaben. I have my graduate Degree in Social Work and get the pleasure of working in the mental health field everyday. When I am not enjoying work, I am spending time with family and friends.
Kickass Tuba Player with a Stars Dirndl? YUP that's Lauren!
Well it all started in China... Not your typical start to a Dirndl story.
I Design Dirndls for a Living... but am I even German? My DNA test results
When the DNA ancestry tests came out I was immediately intrigued... but I resisted for a long time. There was one commercial that straight up made me not want go through with the test. "Growing up we were German. We danced in a German dance group. I wore Lerderhosen... I decided to have the DNA tested... the big surprise was we weren't German at all." AH WHAT?! Hell NAH! I wasn't going to pay someone to turn my life upside down. I was convinced that if I took this test... I was going to have to throw in the dirndl towel and start my life over.
Custom Branded Dirndls for the Gals of the Wine & Crime Podcast!
At the beginning of this year, my assistant at the time, Sam, was occasionally listening to the Wine & Crime podcast while she was sewing in the studio and a few times I would catch a listen. When I eventually was able to listen to a full episode, I was hooked. These girls kept me laughing and as an avid watcher of Law & Order SVU, NCIS, CSI, Criminal Minds, etc… this true crime comedy podcast was right up my alley. I am well aware that this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it sure is mine!
She wore the same dirndl all year long!
At the beginning of the year, Layne decided that she was going to spend the year “In Bloom”… meaning she would wear her In Bloom Dirndl to every German event throughout the entire year, and never repeat a look. I thought this was a truly amazing challenge and I was honored to have been able to be a part of it and see all of her looks throughout the year.
Sisters in Dirndls: Sister who ROCK the matching dirndl look
One of the great things about having a sister is that sometimes you can share clothes! But when it comes to these sisters... they'd rather just have their own dirndl (even if it's the same as their sister!).
Wearing matching dirndls, even if they are not exact matches, is so much fun! I love matching my sister and honestly when the whole family get's involved... I love it even more!
Gerti's Dirndl Revamp: Keeping all of the Memories and None of the 90s style
Last year my mother-in-law noticed that I had done Up-cycle Project using a vintage dirndl for a customer and she was wondering if I would be able to do the same for her. Of course I was super excited and was totally ready for the challenge!
Rare Dirndl Brides - Custom Made Bridal Dirndls
Working with brides is truly one of my favorites things about my job! I have created a lot of unique bridal dirndls over the years and each one was such a pleasure to design and make. While some brides chose to wear their dirndl for their German-themed rehearsal dinner, others wore theirs for the wedding ceremony and others just for the reception. Every bride was different and their wedding matched their personal style. Here is a look at some of our brides and what they had to say about their wedding.
Sam's Volkswagen Beetle Inspired Dirndl
Hi everyone! I’m Sam, and you may recognize me from many of the fun behind-the-scenes photos & videos at Rare Dirndl! I love my job with Erika, but today I’m going to jump on the other side of things and write my version of a Customer Spotlight about my Volkswagen-inspired dirndl!
Customer Spotlight: Jessica Rzepka "Mrs. Backyard Oktoberfest"
Four years ago, the Internet set me up with a guy who took me on a first date to Chicago’s Maifest wearing lederhosen and a Hawks sweater, and my life has never been the same. Before I met the man who is now my husband, I was vaguely aware that Oktoberfest was a thing.
Customer Spotlight: Lori Vanover, Waukesha WI
True confession—I'm only a little bit German on my father's side; I am mostly of Polish and English decent (my maiden name is Nadolski). But my husband, Dirk, strongly embraces his German heritage, and we live in the Milwaukee area where there are tons of fun German festivals/Oktoberfest events and great German restaurants to enjoy.
How She Wore It: May the 4th Be With You
I love all fantasy and scifi, so Star Wars has always been one of my favorite movies series. And that’s why last year on Star Wars Day, I went all out!!